There is pressure, and there is what Michigan faces Saturday against Ohio State.
“The Game,” the annual rivalry between the Wolverines and Buckeyes, always has high stakes, but this year it is amplified for Jim Harbaugh and Co.
Michigan is expected to win, favored for the first time at The Horseshoe since 2004.
The Big Ten East crown and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff are on the line — and the oddsmakers believe the fourth-ranked Wolverines, winners of 10 straight games, are the superior team, a four-point favorite.
“We’ve got to take care of business,” Michigan defensive tackle Mike Dwumfour said after last Saturday’s win over Indiana.
Michigan can make up for nearly two years of frustration with a victory, erase the painful memories of 13 losses in 14 meetings against its bitter rivals and send the Wolverines (10-1) to their first Big Ten championship game since the conference split into two divisions in 2011. Running back and team captain Karan Higdon expects to make history Saturday afternoon, guaranteeing a victory.
“I believe firmly in my brothers, and this team and this coaching staff,” the Big Ten’s second-leading rusher told reporters. “And as a captain, I’ll take that stand. Why not?”
Michigan, featuring the nation’s top defense, has played with pressure since a season-opening loss to third-ranked Notre Dame, knowing one loss would derail its playoff hopes. It scoffed at that pressure after falling behind Northwestern 17-0 and manhandling perennial Big Ten contenders Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State by a combined 101-27. Following a 38-13 rout of Wisconsin, defensive end Chase Winovich coined it the start of a “revenge tour,” referring to losses a year ago. There is one stop remaining.
“This is the last regular-season game, and this is a game everybody wants,” Michigan safety Josh Metellus said. “This is a game we want. Last stop on the Revenge Tour. We take this one personal. Thanksgiving week. Great week. Great week for football. This is one of those games you’re all hyped up for, the reason you come to Michigan.”
“It’s been a whole year of having a bad taste in our mouth,” defensive end Rashan Gary said.
Adding to the already immense hype is the possibility this could be Urban Meyer’s final Ohio State-Michigan showdown. There has been speculation he could step away after this strained season. It began with him serving a three-game suspension for his role in domestic violence allegations against former wide receiver coach Zach Smith, and he was seen in obvious pain in last week’s overtime win over Maryland. He’s been dealing with an enlarged congenital arachnoid cyst on his brain, which causes severe headaches on occasion.
Despite the personal issues and a sieve-like defense, Meyer still has No. 10 Ohio State in playoff contention. A win Saturday would send the Buckeyes (10-1) to the Big Ten title game for the fourth time in six years.
“We’re working so damn hard for this,” Meyer said this week.
The two teams enter the showdown in unique positions for the rivalry. Michigan, led by Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson, by far the best quarterback of the Harbaugh era, has won those 10 straight games since a season-opening loss to Notre Dame, with the better balance by far of the two teams.
Ohio State needed overtime to get past five-win Maryland last Saturday and bludgeoned by Purdue, but still features the country’s fourth-ranked passing attack anchored by impressive redshirt sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
In the two teams’ six common opponents, Michigan has won its six games by an average of 27 points, while Ohio State has claimed six wins by 16.5. The Wolverines are considered the better team. But they also know a loss wipes away all they have accomplished. Then again, a win would right many Wolverine wrongs, too.
“This is the game,” Michigan defensive tackle Carlo Kemp said, “everybody plays for.”
