CFB Roundtable for The Game-ZoomTech News

By means of the turmoil of a number of NCAA investigations and the ensuing six video games price of suspensions for head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan nonetheless managed to get so far undefeated. By means of the challenges of breaking in a brand new quarterback and discovering a staff identification that is much less reliant on a high-flying offense, Ohio State additionally reached this level with an unblemished report.

Now, the No. 3 Wolverines (11-0) and No. 2 Buckeyes (11-0) are set to face off for the 119th time, renewing their epic rivalry on Saturday (midday ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities App).

The winner clinches a spot within the Large Ten championship recreation in opposition to Iowa, the place it will likely be closely favored to not solely take the league crown but additionally nab a spot within the School Soccer Playoff.

The loser may nonetheless discover a path to the CFP, however let’s be trustworthy, neither of those applications is thinking about backing into something. Not if it means dropping Saturday.

How deep does the animosity go? When requested this week whether or not they revered their opponent, each Harbaugh and Buckeyes coach Ryan Day answered by kind of altering the topic.

So, how will issues go down on Saturday?

Will the Wolverines run over the Buckeyes for a 3rd straight season, or will Ohio State push the rivalry pendulum within the different path?

FOX Sports activities faculty soccer specialists Bryan Fischer, Michael Cohen, Laken Litman and RJ Younger are right here to interrupt down precisely what they count on to see in The Recreation on Saturday.

What do you count on to see from Ohio State when the Buckeyes have the ball?

Bryan Fischer: Whereas I might not be shocked if Ryan Day has just a few issues up his sleeve to scheme up some massive performs early within the first half, the Ohio State offense goes to do what it is accomplished all season: get the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. The probably winner of the Biletnikoff Award and the favourite to be the primary place participant taken within the NFL Draft, the Large Ten’s main receiver has been unbelievable this 12 months regardless of enjoying with a first-time beginning quarterback and coping with a supporting solid that has been largely out and in of the lineup. By means of all of it, all Harrison has accomplished is notch a receiving landing in seven straight video games (and 31 scores in his final 25 video games) and often prime 100 yards regardless of all people within the stadium realizing the ball is coming his method.

Nonetheless, the Buckeyes additionally should be cognizant of steadiness. The staff that rushes for extra yards has received the previous 21 conferences of The Recreation, so TreVeyon Henderson’s means to wiggle free for some lengthy features shall be paramount. He leads the convention in scrimmage yards and has been even higher the previous month since returning to the lineup wholesome.

Past these two key playmakers, although, the place the Buckeyes will actually win or lose the sport probably comes right down to the play of QB Kyle McCord and the offensive line in entrance of him. The younger signal-caller has been stable — 22 whole touchdowns, 4 interceptions — however actually hasn’t been examined like he shall be for 4 quarters on the Large Home on Saturday. The large our bodies in entrance of him should not as proficient as they had been final season, however the line has considerably improved because the 12 months has worn on and can hope to have its finest outing but in opposition to that robust Michigan entrance.

That is an OSU offense that’s general not fairly as prolific as earlier editions underneath Ryan Day, however nonetheless has the flexibility to attain on almost each drive.

How about Michigan’s offense when the Wolverines have the ball? 

Michael Cohen: There have been two the reason why Michigan ran the ball 32 consecutive occasions to salt away an eventual 24-15 win over Penn State two weeks in the past. The primary was easy: Penn State’s protection, which nonetheless ranks fourth nationally in opposition to the run, had no solutions for the three-headed assault of Blake Corum (26 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs); Donovan Edwards (10 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD) and J.J. McCarthy (eight carries, 34 yards). The second motive was extra reactionary: When the Wolverines started the sport intent on establishing a downfield passing assault, performing coach and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore rapidly realized his offensive tackles could not deal with the velocity of edge rushers Chop Robinson and Dani Dennis-Sutton, who leveled McCarthy a number of occasions on Michigan’s first two possessions.

Issues in regards to the Wolverines’ move safety had been amplified by an undisclosed leg harm to McCarthy and the lack of No. 1 extensive receiver Roman Wilson (head/neck) throughout final week’s win over Maryland. From the second Wilson exited the sport after absorbing an enormous hit within the first quarter, Moore and McCarthy each appeared unsure about which perimeter weapons to belief other than tight finish Colston Loveland. Wilson, who has six extra landing receptions than every other Wolverine, appears on observe to play in opposition to Ohio State this weekend, however a closing determination will not be made till nearer to kickoff. 

All of which is to say the sport plan devised by Moore and head coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s permitted to be across the staff throughout the week, will nearly definitely be constructed across the dashing assault that propelled Michigan to wins over Ohio State the final two years. Anticipate a gradual weight loss program of Corum, Edwards, McCarthy and even transformed linebacker Kalel Mullings, because the Wolverines purpose to regulate the clock and wrangle the Buckeyes into submission.

The place may Ohio State discover an edge on protection?

Laken Litman: For months — or actually, ever since being embarrassed by Michigan, 45-23, in The Recreation a 12 months in the past — Ohio State has been engaged on stopping massive performs. That’s, in spite of everything, how the Wolverines mounted their comeback within the second half final 12 months. Ohio State led 20-17 at halftime earlier than Michigan scored 4 touchdowns, three of which had been on jaw-dropping explosive performs. There was the deep 45-yard landing bomb to Loveland within the third quarter, after which Edwards reeled off 75- and 85-yard landing runs to actually put issues out of attain within the fourth.

Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has spoken this season about enhancing in that space — and no matter he is been doing is working. That is as a result of by way of 11 video games OSU has allowed only one play of 40 yards or extra (finest within the nation) and has solely allowed eight performs of 30 yards or extra (third-best within the nation). It helps that the protection will get to apply on daily basis in opposition to Harrison, broadly thought of to be one of the best receiver within the nation and probably a Heisman Trophy finalist. 

But when Michigan is something like we have seen from the previous few weeks, it should try to win by working the ball as an alternative of counting on McCarthy’s arm expertise. Ohio State’s protection has allowed simply three dashing touchdowns this season, which shall be an attention-grabbing battle given Michigan has scored a dashing landing in each recreation this 12 months. Edwards is again, however Corum is Michigan’s No. 1 again. He missed The Recreation final 12 months with an harm, however has come again this season with a vengeance and leads the nation with 20 dashing TDs.

In fact, none of this actually issues till Ohio State proves it could actually proceed its defensive dominance within the greatest recreation of the 12 months. We’ll see how that materializes on Saturday.

And the way can the Michigan protection cease the high-powered Ohio State assault?

RJ Younger: Pressure Ohio State to rush. You may’t afford to permit explosive performs from Harrison or Henderson.

Meaning you are going to must reside with man protection in opposition to gamers like wideout Emeka Egbuka and tight finish Cade Stover.

The power of the Michigan protection is its means to spend as little time on the sector as attainable, hand the ball again to its offense, and let it eat clock with constructive performs. If the Michigan protection can’t solely do that, however permit Ohio State to hurry for fewer yards than the Wolverine offense, it could actually win.

The staff that has outgained the opposite on the bottom on this recreation has received it in every of the final 21 conferences.

Which quarterback is extra vital to his staff, Kyle McCord or J.J. McCarthy?

Fischer: This isn’t to low cost how good McCarthy has been this season — some of the environment friendly within the nation — however given the best way that Michigan has so closely leaned into the run recreation, I give the sting to McCord.  

In some ways, the Wolverines might be okay if, knock on wooden, McCarthy had been to exit for just a few performs. Beating Penn State with 32 consecutive run performs reaffirms that. If McCord had been to go down, the extent of panic within the Buckeyes is more likely to be ten-fold on their sidelines in comparison with the other quantity. 

That is to not say that McCord is healthier, as a result of you possibly can see the flashes out of McCarthy that can permit you to purchase into Jim Harbaugh’s hype relating to him on the subsequent degree. However he’s a way more vital cog within the machine of the OSU offense in the same vein to his predecessors who’ve piled up numbers and wins in bunches.

What distinction, if any, do you assume it’s going to make for Michigan to have Sherrone Moore working issues versus Jim Harbaugh? 

Cohen: The primary query posed to Harbaugh throughout an abbreviated Monday information convention was about whether or not he has respect for Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and the remainder of the Buckeyes employees. “It is all about our preparation for Ohio,” Harbaugh mentioned. “The times, the minutes, the hours, every part main as much as this recreation, that is the place our focus is. Making ready ourselves and planning, apply, then execute. Anything is irrelevant once you get into this sort of massive recreation week.” 

In the future later, at his personal weekly information convention, Day was requested if he respects Harbaugh and the remainder of Michigan’s assistant coaches. “With every part occurring and the issues which are on the market,” Day mentioned, “we have simply kinda stayed away from all of the distractions. We now have. And simply targeted on our staff. And I believe our guys have accomplished a very good job of it. I believe once you speak to our guys, I’ve talked to them a pair occasions about what’s gone on this season and going into The Recreation, however they’re targeted on this recreation. They’re targeted on this season. They’re targeted on their preparation. And we’re simply gonna proceed that.” 

In different phrases, no, neither coach has heat and fuzzy emotions of respect for the opposite given every part that has gone on between Harbaugh and Day. From the huge blowouts Day inflicted on Michigan in 2018 and 2019, to Harbaugh’s remark about his counterpart being “born on third base” for inheriting the Buckeyes program from City Meyer. From the sign-stealing scandal which may have influenced how the Wolverines carried out in back-to-back wins over Ohio State, to the message board mania that has produced still-unfounded theories about Day’s involvement within the unearthing of Connor Stalions, the supposed mastermind behind the sign-stealing operation.

Michigan’s gamers and remaining coaches have mentioned Harbaugh’s suspension is noteworthy from an emotional standpoint however far much less essential from an Xs and Os perspective, on condition that he does not name performs. However what is perhaps vital is the absence of Harbaugh’s persona because it pertains to Day, who’s believed by some segments of the Ohio State fan base to have been rattled by his counterpart within the wake of humbling losses in 2021 and 2022. Will Day be extra relaxed and fewer edgy now that Harbaugh’s trademark hat, glasses and scowl will not be staring again at him this weekend? We’ll discover out quickly sufficient.

How a lot strain is on Ryan Day to win this recreation? Do you assume it’s going to influence how he calls the sport?

Litman: In fact there’s strain on Day. That comes with the territory of being a school soccer coach on the cusp of enjoying the largest recreation of the 12 months in opposition to your rival with every part at stake. Beat Michigan and Ohio State goes to the Large Ten championship recreation and certain the School Soccer Playoff. The place there’s some added stress is the truth that the Buckeyes are on a two-game dropping streak to the Wolverines. And irrespective of how foolish this sounds, there’s chatter on the market that Day might be on the new seat if he loses three straight. 

However Day is broadly thought of to be among the best coaches within the nation. He is 56-6 at Ohio State for the reason that 2019 season. He is 41-2 within the Large Ten, the 2 losses coming the final two seasons vs. Michigan. He is been to the CFP 3 times and was a last-second area objective away from making the nationwide championship recreation final 12 months.

Day is a professional. He desires to win this recreation simply as a lot as anyone else, if no more. He is not going to alter his methods or name the sport otherwise simply because he desires to win so badly. He and his employees have a plan and have their gamers ready. Whether or not the rivalry pendulum swings this 12 months or not, it’s going to ultimately.

Should you needed to decide one participant to unexpectedly have a big effect on this recreation, who would it not be?

Younger: Oklahoma native Josh Proctor, who’s on the finish of a six-year odyssey at Ohio State and has loved his finest season as a Buckeye. 

He is not solely essentially the most skilled participant on that protection — 20 video games began — he is additionally the secondary’s finest heart fielder. With 24 tackles, eight passes defended and an INT returned for a TD this 12 months, he may provide you with the game-changing protection play that provides Ohio State its first win on this rivalry since 2019. 

And saving one of the best for final, who will win, and why?

Fischer: For a lot of the season, Michigan would have been a close to–automated decide. The Wolverines are enjoying at dwelling earlier than a fervent crowd, have double-digit NFL gamers on the two-deep, and have showcased the flexibility to easily suffocate opponents with the best way they play on either side of the ball. Ohio State has earned the upper School Soccer Playoff rating off the again of two notable wins and that steady of spectacular game-breakers, however has performed way more video games near the vest. We now have this picture of how the Buckeyes ought to beat groups and that is been absent for roughly half the 12 months. 

Given all of the distractions which have been swirling round Ann Arbor, on prime of two unconvincing wins in opposition to Penn State and Maryland, it has been attention-grabbing to see the reverse course within the narrative that this recreation was the Wolverines to lose. It feels just like the shut name in opposition to the Terps, mixed with the conclusion that Harbaugh will not be round for a sixth time on the sidelines in 2023, is resulting in all of the momentum favoring the scarlet and grey.

Whereas I completely get that line of considering, it is not the bandwagon I am totally ready to leap onto. Michigan’s means to run the ball, together with its superiority within the trenches, needs to be sufficient to triumph on Saturday in a detailed one which probably comes right down to who has the ball final within the fourth quarter. Choose: Michigan.

Cohen: The overarching storyline that connects Michigan’s wins over Ohio State in 2021 and 2022 with its subsequent losses to Georgia and TCU in School Soccer Playoff video games is the concept there are ranges with regards to dominating the trenches.

Led by Moore, who doubles because the Wolverines’ offensive line coach, Michigan grew to become the primary college to win back-to-back Joe Moore Awards recognizing one of the best offensive line within the nation. And Michigan used these traces to demolish the Buckeyes to the tune of 297 dashing yards and 6 dashing touchdowns in ‘21, adopted by 252 dashing yards and three dashing touchdowns in ‘22. Then the Wolverines’ offensive traces acquired crushed by Georgia, which harassed quarterback Cade McNamara to such a level that Harbaugh benched him in favor of the extra cell McCarthy, and TCU, whose 3-3-5 protection produced greater than a dozen tackles for loss and shredded the Michigan dashing assault.

Once more, ranges. 

Which is why it is perhaps unwise to choose Ohio State this weekend for a similar motive it is perhaps unwise to choose the Wolverines in opposition to a high-level, non-Large Ten opponent ought to they attain the School Soccer Playoff for a 3rd straight 12 months: It is arduous to imagine it till you have seen it. So till the Buckeyes show they will match Michigan’s toughness within the trenches — one thing they fairly clearly failed on the final two seasons — the Wolverines stay the safer wager for this 12 months’s model of The Recreation. Choose: Michigan.

Litman: The Buckeyes have one of the best participant on the sector in Harrison. If quarterback McCord, who was a highschool teammate of Harrison’s, has time to throw and may get the ball to one of the best wideout within the nation, then that might be the factor that ideas the size.

Rivalry video games like this are sometimes outlined by massive moments — simply take final 12 months when Michigan’s Edwards ran for touchdowns of 75 and 85 yards within the fourth quarter. This 12 months, all eyes shall be on Harrison to have that Heisman second. Choose: Ohio State.

Younger: Ohio State is peaking proper because it must. It isn’t simply that this OSU protection is enjoying its finest ball in 4 years, it is that its finest ball makes it a nationwide championship-caliber protection.

The Buckeyes permit simply 9.3 factors per recreation, have not allowed an opponent to attain greater than 17, and have not allowed an explosive play of 40 yards or extra in 11 video games.

And final Saturday, within the second half in opposition to Minnesota, the Ohio State offense lastly appeared just like the one Day has been play-calling for over the past 5 years. Choose: Ohio State.

Bryan Fischer is a school soccer author for FOX Sports activities. He has been masking faculty athletics for almost 20 years at shops akin to NBC Sports activities, CBS Sports activities, Yahoo! Sports activities and NFL.com amongst others. Observe him on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.

Michael Cohen covers faculty soccer and basketball for FOX Sports activities with an emphasis on the Large Ten. Observe him on Twitter at @Michael_Cohen13.

Laken Litman covers faculty soccer, faculty basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA Immediately and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Robust Like a Girl,” printed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Observe her on Twitter @LakenLitman.

RJ Younger is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Observe him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube.

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