No. 3 Ohio State (11-0, 7-0 Big Ten) at Michigan (7-4, 3-4), noon EST (ABC)
Line: Ohio State by 14 1/2
Series record: Michigan leads 58-45-6.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Ohio State needs to stay unbeaten to have a shot at playing in the BCS national championship game. Michigan is playing for pride and postseason positioning.
KEY MATCHUP
The Wolverines will likely have to figure out a way to block standout LB Ryan Shazier to have any success on offense. And if that happens, it would be surprising. Michigan has struggled to protect Devin Gardner in the passing game and to open up holes in the running game. Shazier is one of the best linebackers in college football. The Butkus Award finalist leads the Big Ten with 108 tackles, 19.5 for losses and four forced fumbles.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ohio State: RB Carlos Hyde has run for 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games. The senior has 100-plus yards rushing in six straight games.
Michigan: Gardner will have to make plays with his arm and feet to keep it competitive. He has been spectacular at times, scoring five touchdowns in two games and accounting for 503 yards of offense once this season. Gardner, though, had a key fumble late in last week’s loss at Iowa and has thrown at least two interceptions in four games.
Continue Reading: Ohio State-Michigan Preview Capsule
