The Game

The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is as storied as the game of football itself.  Both programs are filed with conference championships, national championships, Heisman trophy winners, All-American players, and Hall of Famers.  For many years, the reputation of the Big Ten Conference was the "Big 2, Little 8."  Michigan and Ohio State dominated and traded-off conference championships and appearances in the Rose Bowl.

But over the last decade or so, while Ohio State has continued to maintain its high level of play, Michigan has faded.  This has left the door open for other programs to reemerge as contenders including Penn State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.

This year, The Game has a familiar feel as both teams, ranked in the College Football Playoff's top-10, are playing for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.  Michigan arrives in Columbus as the betting favorite - a rare sighting over the last 20 years.  But Michigan has earned it.  They are the No. 4 team in the country and have not loss a game since the opening outing of the season when they faced the current No. 3 team in the country at Notre Dame Stadium.  Ohio State, meanwhile, barely pulled out the win last week against Maryland and were annihilated against Purdue.

But none of that matters.  Both teams are 10-1.  Both teams are eying a chance at the CFP.  And most importantly, both teams want nothing more than to end the other's seasons and dash their hopes of a conference championship and a spot in the playoff.

The game likely hinges on the arm of Dwayne Haskins.  While Ohio State has had some success running the ball, Michigan's No. 1 ranked defense has not allowed a team to dominating on the ground.  That means that Haskins is going to have to beat Michigan in the air against their secondary.

Michigan - 24 
Ohio State - 13