In one of the final games of the season for the Ohio State Buckeyes, they will face one of their fiercest rivals and must win in order to remain in the BCS national title race. Looking for their second consecutive unbeaten season under Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes have clinched a spot in the Big Ten title game.
The Michigan Wolverines have struggled mightily for most of the season. It’s been a while since this team has struggled as much as it has, posting a 7-4 record and losing four of its past six games. Michigan will need a huge win against Ohio State at home in order to make a respectable bowl game this season.
Ohio State has now won 23 straight games under Meyer and it looks like it may never lose again. The Buckeyes are led by a Heisman-quality quarterback in junior Braxton Miller who has had a bit of a down season following an injury early on. He has passed for 1,626 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for another 738 yards and five scores — a lot of guys would kill for an “off-year” like that. Carlos Hyde has been very productive out of the backfield, rushing for 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns for the fifth-ranked rushing offense.
Michigan has not been as impressive in recent games on offense as it had been to begin the season against lesser opponents. The Wolverines rank 62nd in the nation in passing yards behind junior quarterback Devin Gardner who has accounted for 2,509 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing 11 interceptions. He has also rushed for 473 yards and 10 scores, ranking second on the team behind Fitzgerald Toussaint who has 613 yards and 11 scores with a 3.4 yards per carry average. Jeremy Gallon has been stellar this season at wide out, catching 71 passes for 1,109 yards and eight scores.
Defensively, Ohio State has been one of the better units in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes rank eighth in points allowed per game as well as 26th in the nation in yards allowed per game. Michigan has been nearly as impressive, ranking 52nd in points allowed per game and 21st in total yards allowed.
Ohio State will travel to Michigan to take on the Wolverines at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 30. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.
PREDICTION: Ohio State 27, Michigan 30
Related: BCS Standings: Ohio State Buckeyes Finally Settled at No. 3
Michigan Wolverines: Devin Gardner Helps Find Lost Offense
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
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