The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
• Kampf’s keys to the game
Key matchups
OSU RUNNING BACK J.K. DOBBINS VS. MICHIGAN LBS DEVIN BUSH AND JOSH UCHE >> Dobbins is coming off a 200-yard rushing game against Maryland. The Buckeyes have - sort of rededicated themselves to the rushing game over the past few games. Having a varied offensive attack against the Wolverines is important, because Ohio State doesn’t want to get in a position where Michigan’s vaunted defense can just pin its ears back and pass-rush a semi-immobile QB Dwayne Haskins. Whether it’s Dobbins or maybe Mike Weber, the Buckeyes need to run the ball well to win. Michigan only gives up 111 rushing yards per game, so running the ball against the Wolverines might be easier said than done. Bush leads the team with 72 tackles with 9.5 TFLs, while Uche has 8.0 TFLs. Expect them to make a concerted effort to make Ohio State a one-dimensional (passing) team. OHIO STATE OFFENSIVE TACKLES THAYER MUNFORD AND ISAIAH PRINCE V. MICHIGAN DEFENSIVE LINEMEN >> The Wolverines’ front has been a major problem for most everyone the Wolverines have faced. Chase Winovich has 13 TFLs and four sacks. Kwity Paye has 5.5 TFLs and Rashad Gary is one of the top ends in the game. Munford is coming off a Maryland game in which he got injured, though he is expected to return for the Wolverines. Senior Prince has had a rough year all the way around. So this could be a real mismatch if Michigan’s experienced line enforces itself and causes problems. If Ohio State can’t protect the edges in the pass game and can’t get outside on jet-sweeps or flip-passes, then the Buckeyes’ offense will suffer. Munford and Prince are going to have to have big games. MICHIGAN RUNNING BACK KARAN HIGDON VS. OHIO STATE LBS PETE WERNER AND TUF BORLAND >> The Buckeyes’ defense — especially the linebackers — have some making up to do after getting shredded by Maryland’s rushing game last week. Once Maryland’s Anthony McFarland got through the line, it was off to the races because Ohio State’s linebackers were nowhere to be seen and weren’t a huge factor. Higdon, who has already run for more than 1,100 yards, had already guaranteed a victory for his team, so that should motivate the Buckeyes’ defense a tad. If Ohio State can limit Higdon and put the Wolverines in thirdand-long situations, that could allow the pass rush to be more active and try to force some turnovers. If Higdon runs well and Michigan can pass at its leisure - not out of necessity - it could be a long afternoon for the Buckeyes. MICHIGAN QB SHEA PATTERSON VS. OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE LINEMEN CHASE YOUNG AND DRE’MONT JONES >> Patterson can’t just stand in the pocket and throw all day. Jones has 7.5 sacks, while Young has 6.5. True, the Buckeyes don’t have Nick Bosa any longer, but the pass rushing ability is still better than most teams. Even if Ohio State does slow down (or shut down) Higdon’s running, if the Buckeyes don’t get any sort of pass rush on Patterson, he will shred Ohio State’s suspect secondary. The Buckeyes’ defense had a rough time last week against Maryland. It has something to prove this week against a Michigan offense that is very potent. JIM HARBAUGH VS. URBAN MEYER >> Harbaugh is 0-3 against the Buckeyes. This is his best shot at getting the best of his Ohio State adversary. This game has a ton riding on it — the Big Ten East title, a spot in the Big Ten championship game, college football playoff positioning, recruiting advantages and bragging rights.
Is this the year Harbaugh finally gets it done? Ohio State is an underdog at home, and no one likes playing the underdog card more than Meyer.