Michigan Football vs. Ohio State full analysis and prediction
Ohio State offense vs Michigan defense
Yet again, the Buckeyes have an elite offense and the Wolverines have an elite defense. Everyone figured that both of these groups would take some sort of a step back this year after key players graduated/left for the NFL. But nope, here we are with the #1 offense vs the #1 defense.
CJ Stroud is a Heisman favorite and Marvin Harrison Jr. could be the best receiver in college football. Superstar receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba may be inactive for the contest due to a hamstring injury. He’s been hurt all year and will not be at 100% if he plays. Emeka Egbuka is another star receiver, although he is definitely not as good as Harrison or JSN.
Julian Flemming gets the bulk of work at the slot in place of Smith-Njigba, and he’s decent. He has not lived up to the 5-star ranking he had entering college, but he’s still a solid player. I think that Mike Sainristil is a great matchup, and I don’t expect Flemming to have a huge impact.
The Buckeye running back room is just as injured as Michigan’s. Both TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams are very banged up. Henderson tried to play against Maryland but was ineffective with 11 carries for 19 yards. I expect the bulk of the work will go to freshman Dallan Hayden.
Hayden was very good against Maryland, with 27 carries for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Now, going up against Maryland is a very different thing than going up against Michigan. It will be fascinating to see how the freshman fares against an elite-run defense.
Ohio State has a good but not great offensive line. Starter Matthew Jones is questionable for the game after being carted off the field against Maryland. Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones are both potential first-round draft picks, but neither has been insanely dominant on the exterior of the offensive line.
Mazi Smith and Mason Graham will have to create pressure in the interior and stuff the run game. The strength of the Ohio State offensive line lies in the tackle positions, which means Mike Morris and co will have a tough time creating tons of pressure. It’s for that reason that Mazi and Mason must play out of their minds. If they force Ohio State into obvious passing downs and then create pressure, it’ll be a tough day for Stroud and the receivers.
The biggest matchup of the game is the Ohio State receivers vs the Michigan secondary. While the edge obviously must go to the Ohio State receivers, I think there is enough talent in the Michigan secondary to prevent the Buckeyes from consistently getting big plays.
I think that DJ Turner is an excellent matchup against Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka relies more on his speed and route running, and is not as much of a jump ball threat as Harrison Jr. As we all know, Turner struggles with jump balls but has tremendous speed. It’s a very tough matchup, but I think Turner can keep Egbuka relatively quiet.
On the other end, we have Marvin Harrison Jr. vs Will Johnson or Gemon Green. I believe that Will Johnson will get the start on Harrison. Physically, he’s the best option the Wolverines have. Will is tall, fast, and athletic. It’s a nearly impossible task to ask a true freshman to guard the best receiver in the country, but Johnson limits the jump ball potential for Harrison Jr.
If the run defense holds up, the Wolverines will have two safeties back for the vast majority of passing plays. I highly doubt there will ever be a time when a Michigan cornerback is left on an island. Safety help is going to be vital to the success of the Wolverine defense.
Jesse Minter is going to do everything he can to disrupt and confuse CJ Stroud. There are a lot of reasons for optimism if you’re a Wolverine fan. While nobody can stop the Ohio State offense, Minter is the guy you want on your side if you’re trying to slow it down.
Expect exotic blitz packages along w
ith new and confusing coverages. And don’t worry, the Wolverines have been practicing and perfecting them all year, waiting to use them on the Buckeyes.
The advantage goes to the Ohio State offense, but not by as much as most are expecting.