3 reasons why Michigan Football will beat Ohio State
By Josh LaFond
We break down why Michigan football will beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in consecutive years for the first time since 2000.
The Michigan Wolverines haven’t beaten the Ohio State Buckeyes in back-to-back years since 1999-2000, a few years longer than most Michigan football seniors.
Buckeye quarterback and Heisman trophy contender, CJ Stroud, looks to come out on top for the first time as the Ohio State starting quarterback.
Despite throwing for 394 yards last season, the Michigan football defense sure seemed to contain Stroud and company, holding the high-flying Buckeye offense to 27 points, their second-lowest offensive output during the season (second only to the game against Nebraska where Ohio State managed to put up 26 points).
What about the Wolverines?
We here at GBMWolverine.com certainly hope that star running back Blake Corum is at least able to play and hopefully make a considerable impact, but his status is up in the air. Many Michigan players are set to return, though.
Star players such as running back Donovan Edwards, tight end Luke Schoonmaker, defensive lineman Mike Morris, and linebacker Junior Colson, are expected to not only play, but likely play starter-level snaps in this game.
Does Michigan football have enough in the tank to get the job done? Can J.J. McCarthy get the job done? Will the injury of Blake Corum be too much to overcome?
We discuss those questions and more. Join us as we break down the reasons we feel Michigan thumps the Buckeyes.
Michigan football is a horrible matchup for Ohio State
What does Ohio State do well? Score in bunches and capitalize on their opponents’ turnovers.
What does Michigan do well? Dominate the time of possession battle and not turn the ball over on offense.
This iteration of the Michigan Wolverines is a worst-case scenario for these Ohio State Buckeyes. Michigan has been a dominant team in regards to keeping the enemy offense off the field, rankings third nationally (only behind Minnesota and Air Force) in time of possession. But why is this important?
Simply put; Ohio State is not built as an offense to play patient, methodical football. They want to take an early lead and pile on the enemy. In games where their opponent has been of a similar mold to Michigan the Buckeyes have struggled (see Penn State and Northwestern).
Additionally, the Wolverine defense presents a unique challenge to the Buckeye quarterback turned Heisman trophy contender, Stroud. What’s the challenge?
They get pressure from the interior defensive line.
Stroud is flat-out bad under pressure and even worse when pressured up the middle. He has a bad habit of not moving within the pocket and instead bails or makes an errant throw far too often. Fortunately for Michigan football, the best part of its defense is the interior defensive line.
Led by frosh Mason Graham, captain Mazi Smith, veteran Kris Jenkins, and frosh Kenneth Grant, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and the Wolverine defense looks to collapse the interior offensive line of Ohio State and get that aforementioned pressure on Stroud.
As long as Michigan wins in the trenches, maintains the advantage in the time of possession battle, and gets pressure from the interior defensive line they will win this game.