The Rivalry Unveiled - Ohio State vs. Michigan's Showdown

Overall

In terms of overall ratings, Ohio State stands at 94.6 with a rank of 2, while Michigan has 87.8 and a rank of 33. This shows the significant gap in performance between the two teams.

However, stats and advanced analytics don't tell the whole story. In a matchup like this, there are always elements that can't be quantified. It gives us a glimpse into how The Game might unfold, but there's much more to it.

Michigan Offense vs. Ohio State Defense

On the offensive side, Michigan has a rating of 70.3 with a rank of 100, while Ohio State's defense rates at 93.8 with a rank of 2. This shows the challenge Michigan faces when trying to score against Ohio State's tough defense.

When it comes to passing, Michigan has a rating of 55.1 and a rank of 122, while Ohio State's coverage rates at 90.3 with a rank of 12. The pass rush is also a factor, with Michigan at 83.5 and a rank of 11, and Ohio State's pass rush at 90.7 and a rank of 1.

In terms of running, Michigan has an 81.2 rating and a rank of 67, while Ohio State's run defense rates at 93.5 with a rank of 5. The run block and tackling also play important roles in this aspect of the game.

Ohio State Offense vs. Michigan Defense

Ohio State's offense has a rating of 89.9 with a rank of 5, while Michigan's defense rates at 92.3 with a rank of 9. This indicates that Ohio State has a strong offensive attack, but Michigan's defense is also capable of holding them in check.

Passing for Ohio State is at 88.2 with a rank of 8, and Michigan's coverage is at 76.5 with a rank of 81. The pass block and pass rush also have an impact, with Ohio State's pass block at 68.7 and a rank of 77, and Michigan's pass rush at 90.7 and a rank of 1.

Running for Ohio State is at 90.6 with a rank of 11, and Michigan's run defense rates at 93.6 with a rank of 3. The run block and tackling are crucial in this area as well.

Special Teams

Michigan's special teams have a rating of 81.1 with a rank of 29, while Ohio State's is at 84.0 with a rank of 17. Special teams can play a significant role in a close game, and if Michigan is in the game, this could be a factor.

Conclusion: Jim Harbaugh often emphasizes the importance of winning two out of the three phases of the game to secure a win. Ohio State has a stellar defense, but Michigan has shown the ability to draw up plays against them. The Wolverines' best chance is to force mistakes on defense, create short fields, and find ways to score touchdowns instead of relying solely on field goals. Special teams could also be a deciding factor if Michigan is in the game.

A win is not likely, but as we saw with Oklahoma dominating Alabama, anything can happen in a game. Michigan will need to bring their best performance of the year to have a chance. Fortunately, they came off their most complete performance the week before with the 50-6 win over Northwestern.