Week 14 picks, preview: The Game, plus Central Michigan's Toledo test
Michigan hosts Ohio State in the mother of all rivalries, as Central Michigan and MSU also wrap up the regular season.
Rivalry Week is here, but it’s an oddly light slate, rivalry wise, for the Mitten this weekend.
For starters, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan played their regular season finale against each other on Tuesday in Ypsilanti, as WMU punched a ticket to the MAC title game.
And Central Michigan hosts Toledo and Michigan State plays Maryland in what is technically a neutral site game at Ford Field.
But the glowing aura of the nuclear fusion-levels of hate flowing from Ann Arbor as Michigan hosts Ohio State can probably keep the whole state tied over.
Picks went 3-0 last week and are 38-13 on the season.
Central Michigan vs. Toledo, noon, ESPN+ streaming
The Chippewas are solid underdogs at home on Senior Day, but that hasn’t deterred CMU much so far this season. And while the Rockets have been a measuring stick in the MAC of late, they’re not a juggernaut, either. Central Michigan will have ways to shrink the game and grind on the talented Toledo defense and keep some of their dangerous skill players off the field.
Central Michigan has been slightly overmatched recently in a loss to Western Michigan, but led late on the road and had every chance to win that game. To think the Chippewas can’t do the same against the Rockets would be foolish. And an opportunistic defense and methodical offense could quickly make this a close, uncomfortable afternoon for Toledo.
The pick: Central Michigan 27, Toledo 23
Michigan vs. Ohio State, noon, FOX/FOX streaming
Ohio State is the better team, but hasn’t played a remotely challenging game since a road win over Illinois in early October. The Buckeyes are immensely talented and should have the edge in most spots over the Wolverines, but it’s fair to wonder how sharp and battle-tested the Buckeyes are. There’s little doubt that Michigan is after a series of close calls in the weeks before beating Maryland comfortably last Saturday.
Either way, it’s hard to imagine Michigan winning this game without Ohio State either being more injured at receiver than anticipated (Jeremiah Smith said he will play, Carnell Tate seems on track, too) or otherwise doing something foolish game plan wise. But the Buckeyes did do something foolish game plan wise last year and lost, at home, to a demonstrably worse Michigan team. The Wolverines can keep this close, but Ohio State just has too much talent for Michigan to overcome.
The pick: Ohio State 26, Michigan 17
Michigan State vs. Maryland, 7 p.m., FS1/FOX streaming
It’s something of a lost season for both teams, and both enter this finale on big losing streaks. Maryland has lost seven in a row and Michigan State is losers of eight straight. Neither team is going to a bowl but both are hunting for a bit of good vibes to carry into the offseason for embattled coaching staffs.
And both teams have their reasons they can win this game. Maryland’s top-end talent is probably better than Michigan State’s, but the Spartans defense and passing game have ticked up of late. Michigan State’s defense can get just enough done to slow down the Terrapins offense and true freshman quarterback Malik Washington as Alessio Milivojevic and the offense scored enough for MSU to get the win.
The pick: Michigan State 28, Maryland 23
