Even though Michigan football has won four straight games over Ohio State, Sherrone Moore was correct to point out that it has nothing to do with "The Game" on Saturday.
What happened in the past matters. Michigan knows what it takes to win this game. It has lived it. For almost a decade, the shoe was on the other foot.
That doesn't guarantee anything, though.
This game will come down to execution, coaching, and that team able to stand up to the pressure of playing in the biggest college football game there is.
No. 1 Ohio State is a juggernaut. There's no denying it. Michigan will be the highest-ranked team Ohio State has beaten or faced, according to the current CFP Rankings.
There are plenty of issues to be worried about. Ohio State is loaded everywhere. But here are the three biggest concerns for Michigan football going into "The Game."
The Buckeyes' passing game
It feels like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are going to be play. Even if they didn't, Ohio State is never lacking for pass catchers.
Tate leads the Big Ten with 18.2 yards per reception. Smith paces the Big Ten with 10 touchdown receptions. They have combined for over 1,600 yards. Brandon Inniss and tight end Max Klare are weapons, too.
Julian Sayin could end up winning the Heisman. He's thrown 27 touchdown passes. He's completing 79.4 percent of his passes and has just four interceptions. Sayin has a touchdown pass on nine percent of his throws.
This is as good a passing game as Michigan football has faced against Ohio State. And it feels like keeping Ohio State in the 20s would be an incredible effort.
The pass rush
If there is one thing Michigan's offensive line has struggled with, it's pass protection. Maryland even had some success, although the Terps have had success all season.
One team that has more sacks than Maryland in the Big Ten is Ohio State (29). Arvell Reese has 6.5. Caden Curry has 9.5 sacks, plus leads the Big Ten with 13.5 tackles for loss. As a team, the Buckeyes get nearly three per game plus 6.7 tackles for loss.
Michigan has to avoid negatives in the running game. U-M also has to protect Bryce Underwood. When he is feeling the pass rush, he struggles, as any quarterback does.
Both teams need to affect the quarterback, but it feels like one of the biggest mismatches in this game is the Ohio State pass rush against Michigan football's redshirt freshmen offensive tackles.
Caleb Downs
For my money, Caleb Downs will be the best player on the field. The play that gives me nightmares is the fourth quarter interception Bryce Underwood threw against Northwestern, the one where the defender baited the freshman by taking a step forward on an RPO, only to reverse into the route for an interception.
Downs has the ability to do something like that on every play. He's only got two interceptions this season, but he's the best defensive player in college football. The best player in college football and one big play from him could doom the Wolverines.
Michigan isn't good enough to overcome a turnover, or losing the turnover battle, and Downs finding a way to make a play against Bryce is a big concern.