Heather Dinich explains why The Game is a must-win for both Michigan, Ohio State

Everything will be on the table for No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan in Ann Arbor this weekend. That includes bragging rights for the fanbases, a berth in the Big Ten Championship, and, obviously, the conference’s spot in the College Football Playoff.

Heather Dinich highlighted those high stakes during a segment of ‘Get Up’ on Tuesday. She started with the Wolverines and noted that The Game is going to be more important for them to win. In her opinion, their resume won’t be strong enough without it, and, therefore, without the conference crown, to have a chance of making the playoff.

“I would be shocked if Michigan got into the playoff without beating Ohio State,” said Dinich. “If they don’t, they have one win against a CFP Top-25 team on their resume in Penn State – one win! The bar is extremely high in that committee’s meeting room for any team that does not wins its conference, let alone its division. Michigan had four straight home games to start the season – no non-conference wins against Power Five opponents.”

“Those are all things that will keep Michigan out of the playoff if they don’t beat Ohio State,” Dinich said.

Sign-stealing or not, Michigan has handled its business en route to their 11-0 mark. That’s clear with their average margin of victory of nearly 30 points per game.

As Dinich pointed out, though, the Nittany Lions are the only truly quality opponent that the Wolverines came across. At some point, they can only play the teams that are on their schedule. Still, the 49-61 record of their other 10 opponents isn’t going to help them, especially without the conference title.

In Ohio State’s case, Dinich feels slightly better about their hopes if they were to lose in The Big House. That partially because they did the same thing last season after posting a great enough year where they managed to slide into the playoff once the dust settled from the conference championships.

Even so, Dinich says there’s no guarantee of that at all this season with how many contenders are in consideration. That’s why, with this opportunity in front of them here and now, she says the Buckeyes would rather be safe by securing a spot with this win rather than sorry by leaving it up to chance.

“I would give them a slim chance. This is the blueprint that got them in last year without beating Michigan and winning the Big Ten,” Dinich explained. “The difference last year was that USC, on Friday night, was the number four, lost to Utah, and dropped out. This year? There are so many other contenders – Washington, Texas, Alabama, Georgia. Florida State is still in consideration, even without Jordan Travis, until proven otherwise.”

“It is going to be much more difficult for any conference to have a team finish in the top four that doesn’t win its division or its championships,” said Dinich. “It’s going to be very difficult for any conference to get two teams in as we sit here right now with that chaos.”

This edition of The Game really is going to be winner-take-all when it comes to both team’s seasons. The only question now is which rival will take it in the end and officially ruin the other’s campaign?