Michigan football at Ohio State: screening report, prediction

Seidel: Michigan has every reason to beat the Ohio State. Nothing less than a failure

Injury report

Michigan

Outside: P Brad Robbins, DB Benjamin St-Juste, DE Luiji Vilain, QB Dylan McCaffrey, RB Berkley Edwards. Questionable: DE Chase Winovich, OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty.

state of Ohio

Outside: Nick Bosa, Austin Austin Mack. Questionable: OL Branden Bowen, Sean Nuernberger K, WR Cameron Brown. Likely: WR Terry McLaurin, LB Baron Browning, OL Thayer Munford, RB Mike Weber.

Scouting report

When Michigan has the ball: The state defense of Ohio in Greg Schiano State is down. A unit that was solid against running and sometimes questionable against the pass a year ago has become simply dubious. This defense allows almost six yards per game, has a big tenth of the worst 30-yard passes or more and is a general wreck in the first and second attempts. The Buckeyes can rush passersby even without Nick Bosa, since Chase Young and Dre'Mount Jones are more than capable. There is talent everywhere, but this group has been bad. Bottom line. That's not an aberration, it's week 12. Maryland and Purdue have done a lot of things that Michigan likes to do to people against this group and have absolutely burned it down. The Terps beat the Ohio State to the limit of 339 rushing yards last week. Purdue was unmarred with moves and had imbalances all the way to 539 yards earlier this season in an unbalanced win. Discipline, overall, is the problem. If Michigan can fight the Ohio State linebacker, it will be successful. And if Michigan manages to compete with most teams this season, with play zone reading Karan Higdon and Shea Patterson, he will find yards.

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. (7) of the state of Ohio appears to want to pass in the first half of an NCAA football game against Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at College Park, in the Maryland (AP Photo / Nick Wass) (Photo: The associated press)

When the state of Ohio has the ball: If you have read so far and are wondering how the Ohio 10-1, here is your answer. Dwayne Haskins may well be the best quarterback of the Ohio State. His arm is at the NFL level, as is his precision and vision of the field. It does not need much space and it has a wide range of receivers capable of turning nothing into touch. The state of Ohio has number 2 of the offensive in America, behind the Oklahoma Circus. The difference this year has been the inability to control games via the ground, which everyone has been used to in the era of Urban Meyer. Buckeyes can be one-dimensional, sometimes even with an engraver such as J.K. Dobbins in the backfield. But when Haskins is protected (which can sometimes be a problem), he is deadly. Michigan's best quarterback has seen this season and it's not near. Michigan must be wary of midfield, against slopes and crosses. Haskins is mobile enough if the traffic lanes are sloppy. The state of Ohio could appeal to the Tate Martell as reinforcement in difficult situations. There are threats everywhere. But the key to everything is Haskins. If you put it under pressure with disciplined hallways and tight spaces, everything rushes, Ohio State becomes one-dimensional and can stumble.

Know the enemy

Urban fatigue

Urban Meyer appeared exhausted all season after going through an offseason storm and eventual suspension, following an investigation to determine whether he had lied about knowledge of alleged allegations of spousal abuse against him. former coach Zach Smith. He has legitimate health problems related to stress. And there was a lot of stress. Ohio State was successful with 10 wins. But hardly, despite the beginning of the year with a universally recognized training as the most talented of the league. An eruption against Purdue, close calls against Nebraska and Maryland. This is not the type of teams we usually see and lead by Meyer.

Offensive line

This was the worst offense of the Meyer diet in the state of Ohio. It was not horrible (182.4 yards per game), but it's not reliable. This is partly due to Haskins' inability to match the success of the J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller Shift Run. Part of that has been the slide on the offensive line. The Buckeyes have not been a clown car in terms of loss tackles and authorized bags, but they have struggled to get to the line of scrimmage this season. Not a group of Meyer traders.

Rich in talents

Ohio State has the best eraser on the Big Ten. Despite all the mistakes made by the Buckeyes, and every time this team seemed restless, its ability to erase everything in seconds is unmatched in this league. The Buckeyes have more explosive talent in the qualifying positions than anybody in the Big Ten and it shows in the passing game. OSU does not need a lot of space for something to happen. This team has caught eleven games and, although it was not perfect, the threat of clicking everything at the same time has always been there. And if that's the case, all these concerns start to fade. Because this team at its best should be incredibly dangerous. Whether or not it is the big question.

Two cents

Rashan Gary

If Chase Winovich plays, the odds that he is equal to 100% seem low. Michigan has competent replacements in Kwity Paye and Josh Uche. They have both been outstanding in specialty roles this season. Michigan defensive strikers must do their part in the go-ahead this week. But this must be the time of Rashan Gary. This is undoubtedly a frustrating personal year for him because of an injury. But all of this can erase his best game on Saturday. Gary must be able to spend all day here, much like a healthy Winovich can and has. Like his mentor and former Michigan fan Chris Wormley. It must have an impact, whether it's eating and creating for others or just finishing alone. His presence must be felt.

Go and get it

Michigan has undoubtedly saved a variety of looks that, in his opinion, will play against this defense of the State of Ohio. Jim Harbaugh had several seasons last season, they just were not executed. If I am Michigan and that defense is what it is, I hope to win the draw so that I can play football and unload what I have right now. Drive on the field, score a touchdown, move the crowd away and let your defense be flexible. I will finish and finish as soon as possible in this game because, frankly, Michigan has been the best team all year. The biggest advantage of Ohio State, Saturday, is the starting field. The faster you remove that, the better.

Prediction

The ultimate finishing exam. Michigan is the best team, I firmly believe it. I've spent the entire week trying to figure out what a win in the state of Ohio would look like and, as far as I know, it would be something like Michigan in Meme it mental decomposition and playing below the norm that she has set. This team was proud of the year at the end of the year. That's it here. The best team does not always win games like this. But the title teams find a way to slam the door. I think Michigan is in this class.

The choice: Michigan 24, Ohio State 17