Staff Picks: Will Ohio State reclaim bragging rights over Michigan?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Everything is on the line for No. 2 Ohio State (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) and No. 3 Michigan (11-0, 8-0). For the second year in a row, it’s a battle of undefeated Big Ten East powers — winner gets a ticket to the league championship game and, in all likelihood, the College Football Playoff.

The Wolverines have embarrassed the Buckeyes each of the last two years. But Michigan is now playing through the cloud of an NCAA investigation into the program’s sign-stealing operation. The Wolverines are already without head coach Jim Harbaugh, who the Big Ten suspended for his program’s violation of the league’s sportsmanship policy.

Michigan has a veteran-heavy team, and Harbaugh’s future is unclear. Ohio State, meanwhile, is at risk of losing three straight to its rival for the first time since 1995-97. So the pressure is on for head coach Ryan Day and his Buckeyes staff, not to mention a talented-filled 2021 Ohio State recruiting class that still doesn’t have “Gold Pants.”

The Lettermen Row crew is expecting Ohio State to find a way against Michigan. That said, the Buckeyes could be in for a close one.

Staff writers Tim May, Andy Backstrom, Spencer Holbrook, Matt Parker and Alex Gleitman give their score predictions below:

Tim May: 31-20, Buckeyes

“Michigan is No. 1 in the country in fewest points allowed, 9.0. Ohio State is No. 2 in the country in in fewest points allowed, 9.27 I think I’ve got my math correct there. With that in mind, these teams play offense. Back in the day when Ohio State played at Michigan in 1973, they were both undefeated. They were both playing for the right to go to the Rose Bowl, which was the Holy Grail back then.

“It ended in a 10-10 tie. The good news is, in modern football you can’t tie. You can’t walk away with a tie. Somebody’s going to be laughing, and somebody’s gonna cry. Plus, these two teams will play offense when push comes to shove. Ohio State 31, Michigan 20 is finally what I’ve settled on. But I have no idea really how the scoring is gonna go in this game.”

Andy Backstrom: 16-13, Buckeyes

“I’m going 16-13, Ohio State. I think it’s going to be a truly low-scoring game. We saw a low-scoring game between Notre Dame and Ohio State. That one went down to the wire. I think this one will go down to the wire. I think special teams will be a big factor in this game. All three phases will be a big factor in this game. I do think Ohio State will be able to run the ball a little bit. That’s why I think TreVeyon Henderson will be such an impactful player in this game.

“I do get the sense that maybe Michigan get some pressure up the middle, though. I think that the interior of that defensive line — Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant — I mean, that’s quite a trio right there. So I do think it’s gonna be a back and forth seesaw battle. Ultimately, I have Ohio State pulling out the win at the end. Because I think this defense, they come to play. They travel, and they make difference-making plays. And I think that’s ultimately going to be the difference in this one.”

Spencer Holbrook: 27-17, Buckeyes

“I’m going to go Ohio State 27, Michigan 17. I’ve wrestled with this all week. I was prepared, up until Michigan played Penn State, to pick Michigan in this game. Truth in advertising with our reporting, I’m in this building all the time.

“And I did not know if Ohio State could beat Michigan. I’ve seen things the last couple of weeks from J.J. McCarthy, from the Michigan side of things but also from Ohio State and the way that they are playing right now that makes me think that this team is absolutely 100% ready to go up there to The Big House and snatch something from Michigan after Michigan snatched something from Ohio State the last two years.”

Matt Parker: 20-19, Buckeyes

“In June, myself and Andy Backstrom went through the entire Ohio State schedule and predicted how each game would fare for the Buckeyes. We both predicted 11-1, Andy giving the Buckeyes a loss against Wisconsin. I predicted Michigan.

“Now, almost six months later, it’s time to reverse course a bit. Take out all of the off-field antics. Ohio State and Michigan are both veteran teams. Both have elite defenses. And both have offenses surging at the right time. There are two distinct advantages the Buckeyes have, however, over Michigan. Their head coach and more explosive playmakers.

“Ryan Day calls plays for the Buckeyes, but he also handles a lot of the typical head coach responsibilities on game day. Michigan is already well-trained on how to operate without Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines, sure. It got a practice run at the beginning of the season for a different scandal. What it can’t make up for is not having Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson and Cade Stover. This is going to be a physical game throughout. The ‘soft’ program finds a way to land the knockout punch.”

Alex Gleitman: 29-17, Buckeyes

“Throughout the entire season, I have had Michigan winning The Game. But after the last few weeks, I’m changing my tune up a bit. I think you’ve seen Penn State and Maryland now do some things to the Michigan offense that have made them look human. The Wolverines’ defense is legit, especially in the red zone, even if you can move the ball between the 20s. Add in that Jim Harbaugh isn’t on the sidelines to make some tough decisions in a big game, coupled with some injuries, and I’m not as high on Michigan as I was about three or four weeks ago.

“On the Ohio State side, despite the opponents not being great the last couple of weeks, there have been many positives, most notably getting key playmakers TreVeyon Henderson and Emeka Egbuka healthy, as well as the offensive line improving (maybe all related?), which has made the offense much more formidable, even if not perfect yet. Add all that together, and I’ve made a total 180 from thinking Ohio State was going to get boat-raced in this game, to now thinking they’ve got a good shot to win.

“This is still The Game, though. The team that wins the trenches — can run the ball, slows down/stops the run, and gets after the opposing quarterback — is going to win this. The last two years, that team has been Michigan, but with the Buckeyes’ backs against the wall a bit in this rivalry and needing a win more than ever given everything going on outside of the actual game itself, I think Ohio State is going to be that team in 2023.”