"Wade into them. Spill THEIR blood!"

The end has come.

Tomorrow, the Ohio State Buckeyes stroll into the festering cesspit of Ann Arbor, riding a four game winning streak overall and a five-game winning streak in the Rivalry To End All Rivalries. I, unlike many others, am not convinced that this game will be a walk.

Say what you will about Jim Tressel "owning" Michigan, and you'll be right. But this is, after all, a new era for the Wolverines. While it hasn't gotten off to the hottest start, they're still Michigan, and they are far more capable of pulling off the upset this year than last. Despite some nagging Big Ten struggles, the Rich Rodriguez offense is in full swing in Ann Arbor; they lead the Big Ten in scoring offense, and have been held under 20 points just three times all year. This is all with true freshman Tate Forcier at the helm, too, so things are looking up for this unit.

As you all probably already know, where Michigan has died many a death this year is on defense. Their safeties and their linebackers are simply bad; their corners not named Donovan Warren are either young or mediocre, and their defensive line - the supposed strength of the unit - has been good enough to hold opposing offenses under 100 yards on the ground just three times all year (against Iowa, Western Michigan, and Delaware State). They are simply not a well-oiled machine, even if there are talented parts here and there.

That's all well and good, I suppose, but I'm just not sure Ohio State can fully take advantage of Michigan's defensive weaknesses. Michigan's rushing defense has actually been intermittently competent - they have held seven opponents to 4.5 YPC or fewer - while the secondary has been terrible in just about every game. While I think this means at least one-instance of Pryor-To-Posey 30+ yard magic, I can't help but think Michigan's defensive line will be good enough to slow down, but not stop, the Ohio State ground attack. I do not anticipate the 200-yards-on-the-ground streak to be broken, but I do think Ohio State will have to grind it out. I'm not sure this line will put the Michigan front on rollerskates like it probably should. I'm actually less concerned about the Buckeye offense than I am the defense.

"What?" you say? Allow me to explain. I think Ohio State will be able to move the ball enough against Michigan to control the clock, kick field goals, etc., just like Tress wants. But I can't shake the feeling that Michigan is actually constructed the way a team needs to be to move the ball on Ohio State. Purdue's offense had success against Ohio State for two big reasons: their quarterback could throw on the run, and could get the ball out of the backfield well before the pressure arrived. James Vandenberg did the same things, with far less mobility.

Well, Tate Forcier has more mobility than both, and he is also pretty accurate on the run. If Michigan is to do the unthinkable, these are the aspects of Forcier's game they'll have to maximize. I'm not sure their offensive line can hold the Ohio State pass rush at bay as well as Iowa's, and I'm not sure their receivers are nearly as good as Purdue's. But that's the key; if Michigan can consistently roll him away from pressure, long enough for him to look ten yards downfield.... this game gets a whole lot more interesting.

If not, it'll be a bloodbath. Michigan simply doesn't have the depth on defense to slow down an Ohio State attack that will be centered around dominating T.O.P and keeping the Michigan offense off the field. Conversely, Ohio State's front seven is so deep, and healthy for the first time since the Indiana game, that I just can't see the Wolverines running with any consistency. Even if Forcier gets it going with quick passes and rollouts... I'm not sure Michigan will finish drives with touchdowns, and it'll need them considering their defense is a sieve and may surrender 250 yards of offense in the first half to the Buckeyes.

Five predictions to make me look foolish come Monday:

- Ohio State totals more than 200 yards on the ground again, but has to work for it while getting fewer than 5 YPC

- Justin Boren lays a fool or three out

- Michigan turns the ball over four times

- Michigan will have occasional success rolling Forcier out, but will not get anything going on the ground. Thus, Gibby and Heyward will pin their ears back and get to him four times.

- Final Score: Ohio State 34, Michigan 20