Michigan football: 3 reasons the Wolverines will beat Ohio State in 2023

In 2021, Michigan football managed to get past Ohio State for the first time in a decade. The Wolverines had lost every game since 2011 and had been without a Big Ten title since 2004. Fast forward to 2023, the Maize and Blue are riding a two-game winning streak against the Buckeyes and have claimed two Big Ten titles along the way. This fall, Michigan is looking to three-peat against the Buckeyes and in the conference title game.

Here are three reasons Michigan football will beat Ohio State in the upcoming season.

3. Michigan football has home-field advantage

As we saw last year, Michigan football proved that they don’t need to be in their own stadium to beat Ohio State. That being said, the Wolverines will still benefit from home-field advantage in 2023, just as they did in 2021 when Michigan secured a 42-27 victory.

This fall, Ohio State has a new quarterback leading the team, and with a packed ‘Big House’ supporting them, Michigan football is ready to achieve a three-peat by once again defeating the Buckeyes and securing a spot in the Big Ten title game for the third consecutive December.

2. The run game against the Ohio State defense

There is one key factor that both of the Michigan football-Ohio State games have shared in 2021 and 2022: the Wolverines’ rushing attack.

In 2021, former Maize and Blue running back Hassan Haskins ran all over the Buckeyes, scoring five touchdowns all said and done and lifting his Wolverines to a huge 15-point victory. The year after, the Wolverines saw some similar results, with sophomore running back Donovan Edwards rushing for over 200 yards and a few touchdowns.

This fall, Michigan football will look to do more of the same with some of the best running backs in the nation. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will be returning, and younger standout ball carriers like Benjamin Hall will add a dangerous presence as well. In addition, the best offensive line in the nation will lead the way, which also bodes well for Michigan’s odds at a three-peat.

If Ohio State’s spring game was any indication of their run defense this fall, the Wolverines are poised to run all over the Buckeyes for the third year in a row.

1. Veteran stars and a national title push

During both of the past two seasons, Michigan football has come close to winning the prestigious national title. Now, in 2023, the Wolverines are poised to make another College Football Playoff push, this time aiming to finally reach the final test.

To secure a three-peat as Big Ten Champions and contend for a national title, Michigan football must once again overcome Ohio State. Rising stars like Colston Loveland, alongside seasoned veterans like JJ McCarthy, have only experienced victory against Ohio State, a trend that the Maize and Blue hope to extend.

Last year, Michigan had a relatively young team, which means that this year’s squad benefits from increased depth and experience. This advantage, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, gives the Wolverines hope of defeating Ohio State for the third consecutive year.

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