Paul Finebaum predicts outcome of Michigan vs. Ohio State in The Game

It’s rivalry week, and for the first time in a few years, “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan has massive implications.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum joined his colleague Matt Barrie on “The ESPN College Football Podcast” earlier this week to preview this weekend’s contest between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes.

Finebaum had a short and sweet headline prediction for Sunday morning following the game: “Déjà vu all over again. Buckeyes roll over Harbaugh.”

Finebaum has been hot and cold on Harbaugh this season. After entering the 2021 year doubting his abilities, he has at times been complimentary of the 10-1 job the head coach has done. However, following the Michigan State loss earlier this week, Finebaum was rather harsh. 

“This seemed like maybe the year that Jim Harbaugh was going to shed the choker reputation, and instead he just enhanced it.” the ESPN personality said.

Should Michigan be unable to hang with Ohio State this weekend, expect Finebaum to be critical of Harbaugh once again.

Wolverines looking to topple Buckeyes for the first time since 2011

Michigan leads the series 58-51-6 all-time, but Ohio State has dominated the rivalry recently. The Buckeyes have won every game dating back to 2012 and 15 of the last 16. Harbaugh has never beaten the Buckeyes as the Michigan head coach.

This is one of the most bitter rivalries in college football, as is evidenced by Harbaugh and Ohio State head coach Ryan Day’s inability to say nice things about their opponent. 

Ohio State will score on Saturday; few teams have been able to stop them, especially in recent contests. In their last two games, the Buckeyes put up 59 points on Purdue and 56 points on Michigan State. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns in those games. In total, Ohio State is averaging 47.2 points per game, which leads the nation by nearly a field goal.

Michigan is much better equipped to handle the Buckeyes than their two previous opponents, as both their pass and run defenses rank in the top 10 in the nation. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and edge rusher David Ojabo have a combined 19 sacks this year, and they will look to get to Stroud quickly to disrupt the flow of the potent offense.

Ohio State-Michigan kicks off at noon ET on Fox on Saturday, and the Buckeyes are a 7.5-point favorite. The winner heads to the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis next weekend, and they will be in a prime position to make the College Football Playoff. Ohio State has made the CFP four times, while a trip for the Wolverines would be their first.