It's time.
No. 2 Ohio State (11–0) welcomes No. 3 Michigan (11–0) for a high-stakes edition of The Game in Ohio Stadium today.
The winner will head to Indianapolis to play for the Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. The loser? Well, they'll have to hope for some upsets or they're bowling where they'd rather not be bowling.
In mere hours, the Buckeyes and Wolverines will add another chapter to the greatest rivalry in sport and for the first time in 16 years, the two bitter enemies enter the game undefeated.
chapter XII in 24#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ETJiz2oPTa
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 25, 2022
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 25, 2022
Thank you for all you do for this university and The Brotherhood, good luck in your next chapter#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/jnWRuvCIBX
The Gae essentials#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ZBZ5dKshxs
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 23, 2022
Eleven Warriors Staff Predictions
Dan Hope: Ohio State 34, Michigan 30
I expect this game to be a four-quarter war, but the home crowd, Blake Corum’s injury and Ohio State’s overall talent should give the Buckeyes a slight edge. This game could come down to who can make a couple of clutch stops when the game is on the line, and the Buckeyes’ defense has consistently done so in competitive games this year.
Griffin Strom: Ohio State 33, Michigan 30
I’m bracing for a photo finish in a game that legitimately feels like it could go either way, but ultimately anticipate Ohio State’s defensive improvements and advantage in quarterback caliber making the difference as the Buckeyes exact revenge on their archnemesis – albeit by a hairline margin.
“There just aren’t enough advantages for Michigan to exploit.”
Kyle Jones: Ohio State 31, Michigan 21
Unless Ohio State absolutely cannot stop the run at all, there just aren’t enough advantages for Michigan to exploit elsewhere. The Buckeyes enough talent to eventually run away with it late.
Chris Lauderback: Ohio State 27, Michigan 24
A lot of factors suggest Ohio State should win more comfortably but I'm not sold on this Buckeye team in a rock fight. That said, the C.J. Stroud, Dallan Hayden and the OSU defense do just enough to get the W.
Chase Brown: Ohio State 34, Michigan 27
It has been 1,092 days since Ohio State last beat Michigan on Nov. 30, 2019. However, when the clock runs out in the Horseshoe that counter will drop back to zero, as the Buckeyes will leave the stadium on Saturday as victors in The Game, Big Ten East Champions and an almost 100% lock to reach the College Football Playoff, where they will attempt to win their first national championship in eight years.
Ramzy Nasrallah: Ohio State 35, Michigan 10
The Buckeye defense sells out to effectively disrupt Michigan’s running game, and J.J. McCarthy cannot save them.
“The Wolverines will be playing from behind for most of the game.”
Johnny Ginter: Ohio State 35, Michigan 21
Michigan will have some success running the ball, but their defense will struggle handling Ohio State's passing game, and the Wolverines will be playing from behind for most of the game.
Garrick Hodge: Ohio State 35, Michigan 31
In the game of the decade, C.J. Stroud will have a Heisman-esqe performance and leave a legacy with a 300-yard performance and will help clinch an Ohio State victory in the final few minutes.
Will Ohio State Cover?
Ohio State enters this one favored by eight points. While all 14 of our staffers chose the Buckeyes to win the game, just half of them have Ohio State covering the spread.
What about the Over?
With an over/under of 55.5, the gaming industry is expecting points, but not a ton of them. Once again, half of our staff have the game going over the 55.5, while the other half believe the score will come in under that total.
Eleven Warriors Prop Bets
Enjoy these prop bets for the 118th edition of The Game. You should absolutely call your shots in the comments and boast when they come in.
CJ Stroud Passing Yards
- Over/Under 285.5 passing yards
Michigan Team Rushing Yards
- Over/Under 160 rushing yards
Timeouts Ryan Day will Have at the End of the Second Half
- Over/Under 0.5 timeouts
Ohio State and Michigan clash at noon on Fox. You can also listen along on 97.1 the Fan in Central Ohio. Be sure to get your official Eleven Warriors Prognostication in before kickoff for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Eleven Warriors Dry Goods.
