50 For 50: Major Michigan Matchup For Jack Sawyer

Welcome to our daily feature that I am calling “50 for 50” where I attempt to get us to Big Ten Media Days — which are eight days away — with a daily sampling of what we can look forward to this upcoming college football season.

We will do this via the following categories: the 50 biggest individual matchups for the Buckeyes this season, the 50 most important college football games this season, 50 Buckeye things to look forward to this season, 50 national predictions, 50 Big Ten predictions, and 50 predictions involving the Buckeyes.

Previous: Day 42 |

Biggest Buckeye Matchups

Michigan OT Myles Hinton vs. Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer

Myles Hinton is a fifth-year senior who transferred to Michigan from Stanford last year. He opened the season as the starter at right tackle for the Wolverines but was replaced after four games. He is now expected to be Michigan’s starting left tackle. Ohio State senior defensive end Jack Sawyer is still looking for his first win over Michigan. In a game that can turn on any single play, Sawyer getting after the quarterback in this game will require Hinton to be at his best all game long. He has yet to show the ability to do that.

Most Important Games

USC Trojans at Michigan Wolverines, September 21 (3:30 pm CBS)

Michigan and USC haven’t played in the regular season since 1958. They have played in the Rose Bowl seven times since that game, however, with the last matchup taking place in 2007. The Wolverines haven’t beaten the Trojans since 1989. Michigan can’t afford to lose a home game to a team they’ll be favored to beat. If USC does come into Ann Arbor and get the win, it might be time to reevaluate your thoughts on the 2024 Trojans. Or just chalk it up to mixed signals with the Wolverines.

Things To Look Forward To

An aggressive Ohio State defense.

The Ohio State defense should be talented enough to play a successful brand of basic ball. But when you’re this talented, why play it safe? The Buckeye secondary will allow defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to employ an aggressive game plan. This means havoc from all angles. Big plays in the backfield and big plays for the defense overall. While it won’t be an unsafe defense, the concern about busted plays will be eased by having a guy like Caleb Downs at free safety to fix any mistakes.

National College Football Predictions

Utah will make the College Football Playoffs.

I have already appointed Oklahoma State to the playoffs, so adding a second Big XII team might surprise some folks. Many projections only have one Big XII team making it, but Utah will likely be favored in every game except for their week four trip to Stillwater. If the Utes only losses this season come to Oklahoma State in the regular season and in the conference championship game, the committee won’t keep them out. Unless, of course, there’s a three-loss SEC team looking for a handout.

Big Ten Football Predictions

Drew Allar will throw for 600 yards against the California teams.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has just one career 300-yard passing game. It came in the season opener last year against West Virginia. I am predicting that Allar will have back-to-back 300-yard games against UCLA and USC on October 5 and 12, respectively. Allar needs to take this offense to the next level. His running backs are begging him to get the defense to back off the line of scrimmage a bit. The field needs to be stretched. Fortunately, defenses from out West are prone to giving up big plays. Allar just needs to actually take some shots.

Ohio State Football Predictions

Emeka Egbuka will finish with over 1,000 yards receiving.

This may not sound like much of a prediction to you, but when Emeka Egbuka goes over 1,000 yards receiving this season, he will become just the second Buckeye receiver to ever have two 1,000-yard seasons. (Marvin Harrison, Jr. was the first last year.) Egbuka dealt with an injury last year but when he’s healthy he’s one of the best receivers in the nation. He will repeatedly remind people of that fact this year.

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