OHIO STATE vs. No. 17 MICHIGAN (11/16) 12:00 p.m. ABC
GRAHAM predicts MICHIGAN
I picked Michigan over Michigan State. Big mistake. MSU was stronger, angrier, more aggressive. I feel the same way against OSU, but you can't discount the momentum that Michigan has picked up. UM at home in front of an ape-shit crowd.
JON predicts OHIO STATE
Graham and I met on a cloudy Saturday in November in 2003, when I hosted an Ohio State/Michigan party on campus at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and he showed up decked out in the maize and blue, instantly endearing himself as persona non grata. No. 5 Michigan beat No. 4 Ohio State that day in Ann Arbor. In the eight years (and two days) we've been friends it's the only time he's been able to celebrate the outcome of The Game. Meanwhile, I've had my fair share of opportunities to gloat. It's been an incredible ride, but all good things eventually have to end.
On paper this looks like a clear win for TSUN. Michigan is rightfully ranked and coming off of its best win of the season, a 45-17 blowout of a solid Nebraska squad. They're playing confident football on both sides of the ball -- especially on defense where first year coordinator Greg Mattison has pulled off a miracle turnaround. Ohio State meanwhile has weathered back-to-back losses, has a one-dimensional offense, and a defense that's somehow more inconsistent than Oregon's uniforms.
So why am I picking the Buckeyes? Well, for starters, I'd rather eat the point than pick the maize and blue. And, for those of you who demand logic, Ohio State has shown that when it brings its "A Game" it's still pretty formidable (see Wisconsin.) Plus the pressure is on the Wolverines to win. The Buckeyes have everything to gain.
Of course, they also have a lot to lose. We'll probably never see a streak like this again in our lifetimes. Unless, that is, a certain Urban Meyer ends up in Columbus. I kid, I kid.
Go Bucks!