This is arguably the biggest match ever held in Ann Arbor since the arrival of Jim Harbaugh in 2015, and it will be held in less than a week. Although the duel between Michigan State ranked 5th and Ohio State University ranked 2nd has always been a game that has attracted national attention, this year's game has a whole new meaning. Since there is only one game left in the 2021 regular season, the Eastern Conference will decide when the two events meet on Saturday-the winner will get tickets to Indy.
Former Michigan Wolverine Charles Woodson has appeared on the scene as part of Fox's big noon kickoff report-he is clearly already in competitive mode.
"This is what we all want," Woodson said during a preview of Saturday's first five matchups for Ann Arbor.
Perhaps no one wants this game more than the one who is about to end his seventh season as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. Speaking to Jon Jensen on the "Inside Michigan Football" radio show, Harper said he could feel the team's confidence in Saturday's second-ranked game against Ohio.
"I saw it in their eyes. I heard it in their voices, Hubble said. We all feed each other like this. I look at them and it feels like I'm looking in the mirror. I see what is happening to them. Confidence is the same as the faith deep in my heart."
With a record of 10-1 this season, the Wolverines have every reason to be confident in Saturday's game-regardless of the previous results.
On the offensive end, junior quarterback Cade McNamara improved his game and reached the top at the right time. Although McNamara has only completed 5 touchdown passes in the first seven weeks of the season, in the past four games, he has delivered a total of 9 touchdown passes-only one INT.
After sophomore running back Blake Corum fell to the ground due to injury in a game against Michigan State University, Hassan Haskins easily played the role of the "main force"-averaging 134 yards per game in the past three games.
On the defensive side, the Wolverines have the nation's top charging combination, including Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. In fact, both are predicted to be in the top ten of the 2022 NFL Draft-which means you may witness their last game at Michigan Stadium this weekend. This Michigan football team has a lot to like, and it all seems to come together at the perfect time. Even with unprecedented confidence, Harbaugh knows that if Michigan is to win on Saturday, future tasks will require the efforts of the whole team.
"As a team, we have to play very well-offensive, defensive, special team," Huber said. "It comes down to the individual who really understands his role, sticks to his own role, and plays his own role. Going back to the team and playing very well. You play well, you have a chance to win the game. You are not playing well, you It is very likely not to win the game."
Ranked 5th Michigan State and 2nd ranked Ohio State University will start at The Big House at FOX at 12pm Eastern Time.