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Well, that was a lot closer than all of us Wolverines wanted. Those turtles sure were scrappy, till it mattered. In the end, we got the job done and we're onto the big game at the big house.

So, how concerned am I? 

Well, last year we looked like trash against Illinois the week before and then massacred Ohio State, so I’m not too concerned about the Maryland showing because frankly we kept the cat in the bag. We didn't have our lineman, top WR got pulled to prepare for OSU, and McCarthy isn't running like he will next game. 

We've been setting up the whole season to beat up Ohio State and we've got them right where we want them at home.  Watch us pull out a trick play or two and go deepish again - remember those days?! 

So, what do we really know about both teams 11 games into the season - honestly - not too much!? 

OSU has one win under their belt against Notre Dame but they were not the better team that day and should have lost - still impressive though as Notre Dame is solid, but play again the day after and everyone would take Notre Dame.

The rest of the season both teams played no one of relevance as the Big 10 is bad, and PSU is just a punching bag tune-up for the big game and both games were pretty identical. 

All the rest of the games were pretty much the same - blowouts, with Michigan looking overall just slightly better. 

So, what's going to be the difference in the big game this year? Two things. One, Michigan is better than last year - I still believe that - we've got the experience and mettle to get it done. I'm not so sure if Ohio State is better - I actually think they are worse and only looked better because of the weak schedule. They got pushed around against both Rutgers and Maryland for most of the game and did little to nothing against Notre Dame and PSU. Add that up and I do believe it means something.

And, two, the other big difference is the wild card quarterback McCord. I don't think he's ready for primetime and he's going to make a mistake. A big one. He hasn’t been good against anyone with a pulse. I can see a corner or linebacker cutting off a throw and pick sixing him somewhere in that mid range part of the game. He's been having a lot of time like most OSU quarterbacks do, but this time he'll have just a tad less and will panic. If Michigan can contain the run just enough, get ready for the big mistake or fumble where he gets too ambitious on a sack. I'll be ready for it!

I'm still not over 2006 (whoever was at home would have won as both teams were amazing), and 2016 still leaves me bitter as we were no doubt the better team playing on the road with an injured QB and got some bogus calls to be the difference. Of course, I’ll never forget 1997 - the most memorable game of my entire college experience and beyond.

Then, 2022 came after years of anguish and I felt like Paul Giamatti in Cinderella Man when he realized Braddock isn't going to back down and is going to win the title fight afterall with a huge upset. It was surreal. Just look at the face in the image below. One of my favorite scenes of any movie, and one of the best sports movies ever made, too. When Michigan kept running all over Ohio State it felt the same way - disbelief that we finally got it done.

2023 was a shocker because they made all the mistakes - and a lot of them. They didn't know what to do/how to stop us and got desperate. Bad teams get desperate. Generally, losers always find a way in college football, and OSU was the losers that rare day. Ohio State football was soft and they knew it so they had to sell out and we burned them for it. Ohio State football was finesse... and you know what, I still think they are.

I think we're slightly the more talented but way more experienced team AT HOME and we get the job done. Home matters. Experience matters. This is our time. Not there's. Now go out there and take it! GO BLUE!

PREDICTION: Michigan 27 - Ohio State 20

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