Ohio State Football: Why Buckeyes Will Extend Winning Streak Over Michigan

The Ohio State Buckeyes have suffered through an incredibly difficult 2011 season, but there's still hope in Columbus. They could still beat Michigan.

Despite the fact that Ohio State has won the last seven meetings against their heated rivals, much of the college football community is expecting the Wolverines to come out on top this season. 

As for me, I'm calling for an eighth straight Buckeye W.

Here's why...

It's All Coming Together

Since suffering a heartbreaking 34-27 loss to Nebraska in early October, Ohio State has tallied three straight victories over Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.

The season has been a huge disappointment, but the Buckeyes are clicking at the right time and look to be on the verge of an impressive late-season run.

If they can keep their momentum going and pick up victories over Purdue and a heavily distracted Penn State squad, the Bucks could potentially be riding a five-game win streak into Ann Arbor.

That spells bad news for Michigan.

Miller Is the Man for the Job

For the majority of the season, Ohio State has been held back by an unsettled battle at the quarterback position.

However, true freshman Braxton Miller has secured the starting role in recent weeks and has looked awfully impressive.

While he has only thrown for over 100 yards once this season, Miller's ability to make plays with his feet has allowed the Buckeyes to keep the chains moving and put points up on the board.

Miller has a chance to improve his game further over the next few weeks, so Michigan could very well have their hands full trying to slow him down in the season finale.

Things Are Unraveling in Michigan

First-year head coach Brady Hoke had Michigan looking like an unstoppable force in the Big Ten for a long while, but the Wolverines have dropped two of their last three and look to be heading in the wrong direction. 

While the two losses did come against formidable opponents in No. 17 Michigan State and Iowa, the momentum that they had going for them early in the season has depleted considerably over the past few weeks. They're still one of the nation's most explosive teams, but they're clearly wearing down.

With two tough contests against Illinois and No. 19 Nebraska still left to play before they can even start to think about the Buckeyes, things could potentially get rougher for the Wolverines.

A Win over Michigan Could Salvage the Season

Interim head coach Luke Fickell will most likely be on his way out of Columbus after this season, but he can at least go out on top with a win over the Wolverines.

Ohio State fans have finally come to terms with the fact that this just isn't the year for their beloved Buckeyes, but as long as the Scarlet and Grey don't lose to Michigan, all can be forgiven.

Fickell's reputation will be on the line, and the Bucks will come up big for him in what could be his last game as head coach.