Fresh off back-to-back losses at Indiana and at home against No. 15 Wisconsin, any momentum the Buckeyes gained in November and December would be completely gone with a third straight loss.
A defeat in Ann Arbor would also extend Ohio State’s road losing streak to 12 games dating back to last season. All of this is exacerbated by the fact that the Wolverines haven’t been a good team this season, opening with a 6-10 record including losses to Memphis, Long Beach State and McNeese. They have a 1-4 record in Big Ten play.
If it’s not a must-win, it’s at least a game the Buckeyes should win, even if it projects to be another raucous conference environment in Michigan’s first home game since the football team won the national championship.