It is Ohio State vs Michigan 2023, and the number two Ohio State Buckeyes travel to the Big House. There, they take on the number three Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines lead the all-time matchup 60-52-6. Known as “The Game,” many consider the matchup the biggest rivalry in college sports. There will be none more significant than this year. Both teams enter undefeated and rank in the top three for the second straight year. This year, the bragging rights are not the only thing on the line. Both teams have playoff implications in a loaded field and coaching uncertainty.

Ohio State vs Michigan 2023 Preview Points

• Michigan’s performance with and without Harbaugh
• Michigan DB vs Ohio State WR matchups
• Impact of Treyveon Henderson at RB for Ohio State
• The health of Michigan OL
• Red Zone TD Conversions will determine the Winner

Michigan Reaches 1,000 Wins

The Wolverines come with a scandal-plagued season. Consider one of the most overlooked storylines. Michigan became the first college football program to reach 1,000 wins. Their coach, Jim Harbaugh, was among the most influential in some of those wins. Harbaugh was a part of 119 of those victories as a player and coach. Unfortunately, Harbaugh won’t be a part of this week’s matchup against Ohio State. The scandals caught up with him. He is serving his suspension in the sign-stealing scandal.

Without Jim Harbaugh

This is a massive loss because no one has a more significant impact on the team than Harbaugh. He is one of the most complicated characters in college football. You either hate him or love him. One of his flaws is that he is always in the media. There is a fear that he is a playoff loss or scandal away from returning to the NFL. Look beyond the negatives. As a Michigan native, I watched him take what appeared to be a hopeless Michigan program and turn it around.

Sherrone Moore Fills-in for Harbaugh

Michigan finally has a plan for the future. So much so that Harbaugh put Michigan in a good position to win without him. Michigan found success by empowering the younger coaches. They have won all five games that Harbaugh has not coached in. He has given opportunities to three different coaches to lead as head coach. Then came his suspension. Michigan put offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore in place to lead the team. Moore is one of the top upcoming coaches in college football. He runs the offense through its offensive line after winning back-to-back Joe Moore awards.

Michigan With and Without Harbaugh

Despite their wins, the team has struggled on offense without Harbaugh. The player that has been most affected is starting quarterback JJ McCarthy. For the first time in a while, Michigan has the advantage at quarterback. McCarthy’s talent does not cover everything. There is a noticeable difference between playing with Harbaugh on and off the sideline. According to stats provided by Austin Meek of the Athletic,

“McCarthy’s stats in six games with Harbaugh on the sideline:

•  239 yards per game
• 72 percent completion rate
• 11 touchdowns, no interceptions

McCarthy in five games without Harbaugh: 

• 180 yards per game
• 76 percent completion rate
• Seven touchdowns
• Four interceptions.”

Take a look at two weeks ago in the Penn State game. McCarthy only completed seven passes, with none coming in the second half. Michigan used their players to their advantage. They did a great job running the football with Blake Corrum and Donavan Edwards. 

Ohio State Defense Top Three

Ohio State’s defense is in the top three in the national in fewest points and yards allowed. They are among the top five in the Big Ten in the fewest rushing yards allowed. In their last matchup, they only gave up 159 yards to Minnesota, allowing 70 rushing yards at 2.54 per carry.

Ryan Day Needs to Beat Michigan

Despite Ryan Day’s 54-6 record, Ohio State’s coaching gets scrutinized. Day struggles with something that plagued Harbaugh early in his Michigan tenure. There is an expectation about winning big games in a premier program. For Day, his losses have come twice to Michigan or at the expense of playoff teams in the most significant moments. While six losses are not a lot, losing to Michigan twice in a row is a fireable offense in Columbus. Day’s predecessor, Urban Meyer, has much to do with the expectations. Meyer led the Buckeyes to a 7-0 record vs the Wolverines. That makes him the first coach to go undefeated in the rivalry since John Wilce in 1924. The significant game struggles have led to Ohio State being the underdog against Michigan. This is the first time the Buckeyes have been an underdog in a Big Ten game in five years.

Look for Egbuka to get More Targets

Ohio State needs to shift the momentum. They must depend on their advantage at their skill positions to do that. Ohio State’s offense starts with the receiving core of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Both look to be next in Brian Hartline’s pipeline of NFL receivers. Michigan has struggled to find a consistent number two corner. Look for Ohio State to attack whoever’s in that spot. I also expect Will Johnson to cover Harrison.

Treyveon Henderson is A Beast

Another overlooked storyline is the impact of TreVeyon Henderson when healthy. Last year, Henderson did not play in the game. The team had no alternative but to rely on the depth of a converted linebacker and gadget receiver. They do not have to worry about that this year. Henderson shows flashes of what he did in his freshman year with: 

• 664 yards on limited touches, which ranks fourth in the country. 
• The most 150-yard games
•  The most 20-plus yard runs this season. 

Michigan’s defense ranks third in the Big Ten in rushing defense. They are among the nation’s top defenses. Look for this to be a great matchup.

The Health of the Michigan OL

Another key element will be the injuries and scoring in the red zone. Michigan’s offensive lineman Myles Hinton left the Maryland game early. He replaced Ladarius Henderson so he could test their depth. Ohio State has two of the best pass rushers in the Big Ten in JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer. Sawyer is coming off one of his best games. He finished with:

• Six tackles
• 3.5 tackles for a loss
• One sack
• One forced fumble

Win the Red Zone, Win the Game

Ohio State also has to take advantage of red zone opportunities. They were three of eight in the red zone last week. Michigan’s defense allowed six red zone touchdowns all season. So, the matchup favors the Wolverines.

Ohio State vs Michigan 2023 Matchup

Who will win Saturday’s Matchup? Will both of the team’s coaches be there next year? Will these teams remain dominant in a new era of the Big Ten coming next year? Find out with University Foot-Ball.

Author: Tarohn Finley