OHIO STATE-MICHIGAN, 5 REASONS WHY EACH MAY WIN!

Like opening up your presents on December 23, that's the rare feeling this game has as OSU has locked up a rare early BCS Bowl bid, most likely to Pasadena.  Michigan can work hard for a bid to possibly the 'Pizza' Bowl. However, this is still Ohio State-Michigan and bragging rites and pride is on the line as well as other perks.  Let's take a look at 5 reasons why each team may win. Let's start with the favorite and visitor, Ohio State then conclude with reasons why the host Michigan may win.  

5 REASONS WHY OHIO STATE MAY WIN:

1. TALENT, TALENT, TALENT, no doubt OSU has the talent edge in just about all phases of the game, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.  That may slow down MI just enough to allow OSU to out run and out score Michigan.

2.  TRESSEL, Ever since Tressel announced to surprised and eager OSU' basketball fans in 2001 that they would be proud of OSU in so many days when OSU/MI meet on the grid iron, OSU has literally owned MI FB.  Tressel knows how to prepare, win and steal victories in this classic rivalry, and one should expect that OSU will come prepared and perform likewise. As a wise psychologist one said, "The best way to predict one's behavior is to look how they behaved previously in similar situation."  Get the idea?

3.  LINE PLAY:  OSU's lines are deeper and stronger than MI's lines. Former MI transfer OL Boren will provide juice on both sides of the line.  It's the DL that MI may have huge difficulties containing.   The Buck's OL, highly doubted earlier in the season, is intact, healthy, and coming into its own. The Bucks have racked up nearly 500 yards on the ground against highly touted PSU/IA's D.  Get this, younger Boren has been a beast at Full Back, and should OSU's RB, learn, adjust and just hesitate a bit more, may find open fields due to MI's generous rush defense.

4.  TP:  Since the disaster at West Lafeyette, Pryor has slowly been improving in mainly managing games. While many might see this as a waste, this true Sophomore is learning how to win games and allow OSU's D and Special teams do the work.   TP is making key throws downfield, keeping drives alive with his legs, scattering the ball to play makers, but most importantly, avoiding turnovers.  OSU's offensive coordinators have assisted him greatly, they have opened up the play book taking pressure off of him.  TP has already played in a hostile PSU venue and Saturday should be nothing new.

5.  MOTIVATION:  Tressel's sermons are that November is for contenders. OSU knows that a successful season is a Big Ten Championship, a BCS bid and win over MI.  Don't think that since OSU has smelling roses that it wouldn't want the Big Ten crown outright, keep MI at home for the holidays, and take a rare 6th in a row in this rivalry game.

5 REASONS WHY MICHIGAN MAY WIN:

1.  SEASON SAVIOR:  Following a poor Big Ten campaign, The Wolverines know that a win over OSU would make their year, possibly save their head coaches job and earn another month of practice by going to a bowl game.  It's been over 2000 days since MI beat OSU and they know that hope that it will bring to a young team and coach and possible recruits.  

2.  PRIDE:  This is still Michigan football and MI teams know how to upset top ranked Ohio State teams.  Proof, the '90's and the 40th anniversary of BO's famous upset of #1 OSU.  Don't think that Michigan Stadium won't be juiced either.  PSU was pumped for OSU, but much of that was over confidence thinking the same team that lost to Purdue will show up in Happy Valley.  Ann Arbor this Saturday knows that it's team will need every effort to upset OSU and the longer MI remains in the game, the harder it will be to pull away.

3.  GRAHAM:  Arguably one of the finest DL in The Conference, he can disrupt TP and like against Purdue rattle him and force him into huge turnovers that not only give MI great field position, but stall Ohio State drives.  A 13 point under dog, MI realizes that a pic six, a stalled OSU drive may be all it needs to clinch this upset.

4.  OFFENSE:  MI's offense knows that it can score. It also has playmakers that can wear down OSU's defense.  Expect MI to throw in wrinkles and break tendencies to force OSU into a shoot out, which the conservative offensive minded Buckeyes don't want to do. Focier and Robison may provide a punch and the youngsters know they have nothing to lose and everything to gain on Saturday.

5.  SPECIAL TEAMS:  MI's punter and kicker may be difference makers in this game in ways that no one may expect. Should MI keep close in the 2nd half, MI's kickers can help them win the field position war that Tressel will certainly fight in case this game becomes a nail biter.  OSU's kickers have shanked punts, missed key field goals and brought IA back from the dead last week with a 99 yard KO return. The Wolverines know to win that they will have to win all phases of this game and know that the Special teams are the area where they actually do have the upper hand.

5 reasons why each team may win.  Let's wait for Saturday and see.  

Kurt's take:  OSU is the more talented team and will be as pumped as MI, however, their defense will give OSU's offense more chances to control the clock and outscore MI.  The Wolverine's also tend to fold in the 2nd half and a more disciplined, deeper team will take advantage of that to pull away.  Ohio State, 35- Michigan 24.