2018 Michigan gameday #12: at Ohio State

It all comes down to this:  The Game.  #10 Ohio State hosts #4 Michigan in a matchup of 10-1 teams that have had completely different seasons.  While Michigan has mostly cruised to 10 straight wins (a three-point victory at Northwestern being the closest), unapologetic asshole Urban Meyer's bunch has struggled without a true dual-threat QB, getting curb stomped by Purdue and needing plenty of luck to survive Maryland.

But as been the case very often throughout the series (still 58-49-6 in favor of the Wolverines, despite the last 20 years going the Buckeyes' way) the path to a conference (or division) championship will be decided here in game 12, the best rivalry in all of sports (YMMV).

Despite a feisty Indiana team keeping last week's game largely close, and despite their best effort to prevent Michigan from getting out of the game healthy with a huge dose of cheap shots and dirty play the Wolverines won't soon forget, Jim Harbaugh's group got it done.  Now they have one last stop on the Revenge Tour, a concept that proves this team has the attitude to go all the way.

A great coach, dominant defense, and an offense that's been clicking thanks to a true dual-threat quarterback in Shea Patterson all have Michigan poised to do something they haven't achieved since 2000:  beat the Buckeyes in Columbus.  Meanwhile, OSU's offense has been mostly one-dimensional this year, they've struggled against lesser teams, and Meyer's "health" has been in question.  It's there for the taking, and if things go right it won't even come down to a bad spot or the wrong play on a game-deciding two-point conversion.

Complete the Revenge Tour.  Book a trip to Indy.  Beat Ohio.

LET'S GO BLUE

2018 Michigan gameday #11: vs. Indiana

It's a chilly November Saturday in Ann Arbor, textbook "football weather", and it's also Senior Day.  Players such as RB Karan Higdon and DL Chase Winovich will be playing their final game at the Big House, so it's sure to be an emotional day.  Add to that the almost guaranteed early departure of star DL Rashan Gary and the very possible draft entry of transfer QB Shea Patterson and you've got a number of key guys who'll be basking in the sights and sounds one last time.

They'll join their Michigan (#4) teammates on a 9-1 squad that still hasn't lost since week 1 against Notre Dame.  This week they're facing a 5-5 Indiana team looking for one more win for bowl eligibility, though they'll likely have to wait until their final game against Purdue for that.  They'll have to match up against the Wolverines, who were in complete control at Rutgers last week, other than one big run bust that led to the Knights' only points.

Of course, history is still against the Hoosiers in a series that's seen Michigan win 57 of 66 games, not to mention 22 straight since a loss in '87.  That and they're up against a team with conference and postseason aspirations.

I expect an Indiana team searching for one more win to try to keep things close early with Michigan limiting the playbook and trying to keep players healthy.  Still, the Wolverine offense has been getting it done week after week and should be able to do so one more time against a pretty bad defense while the Michigan D does its usual job of stifling the opposition.  This game should end with a return to double-digit wins for Jim Harbaugh's team and a huge matchup in The Game next Saturday.

LET'S GO BLUE