The big story entering The Game this weekend was how Ohio State would respond to a demoralizing home loss on Senior Day a week ago against Michigan State. The Buckeyes did absolutely nothing on offense last week, failed to shut down the MSU running game, and couldn't stop an offense using its second- and third-string quarterbacks in place of Connor Cook.
Michigan probably felt this was the best opportunity to beat Ohio State since the 2011 undead season, fielding the nation’s No. 10 team in its own home stadium, with a renewed swagger in the passing game. The Wolverines may have dodged a couple of bullets against Indiana and Minnesota, but they presented a formidable challenge with the conference’s top defense against both the run and pass, and the league’s best tight end.