When you play football for the University of Michigan or Ohio State, every year’s season-defining battle is the same: “The Game.”
Going into the spring, ESPN revealed its selections for every Top 25 team’s “season-defining game” based on the network’s preseason rankings; with many taking into account conference championship races and College Football Playoff implications.
Here’s what they had to say about Michigan (via 247’s Brad Crawford):
Everyone associated with Michigan circles this game annually. It could be the difference in another unbeaten regular season and potentially missing the playoff for the first time in three years. Michigan’s roster might be its best in Jim Harbaugh’s tenure and that’s saying something. With J.J McCarthy back as the starting quarterback and two running backs who should each surpass 1,000 yards, getting to the Ohio State game healthy is top priority for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines have beaten the Buckeyes in each of the school’s last two matchups, with Michigan having the chance to make it three straight at The Big House this year.