Urban Meyer has respect for Michigan, but the former Ohio State head coach from 2012-18 refuses to pick against the Buckeyes when Week 14's regular-season finale with the Wolverines kicks off next Saturday at noon ET.
"No chance I'm picking Michigan," Meyer, now an analyst for FOX, said Saturday after Ohio State's 28-17 win over Penn State clinched the Big Ten East. "But I will tell you this — do I respect good football teams? Always. That's a good football team up there. That is a good team."
The No. 2 Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0) edged the No. 8 Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2) Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, behind three sacks from junior defensive end Chase Young and a pair of touchdowns apiece from sophomore quarterback Justin Fields and junior running back J.K. Dobbins.
Ohio State now turns to Michigan, which was in the middle of Saturday's rout at Indiana, where the Wolverines lead the Hoosiers 39-14 through the first three quarters.
With the win over Indiana, Michigan returns to Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after five straight victories. The Wolverines have not lost since Oct. 19's 28-21 defeat at Penn State. Meyer gave due credit to fifth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh for the turnaround.
“We had them (on FOX) against Army and also against Wisconsin, and I’m not sure I’ve seen a Wolverines team look that defeated, that deflated,” Meyer said before the games Saturday morning on FOX's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show. “But you have to give credit to the leaders on that team. This is a very good team. They’re playing excellent defensive football.”
Michigan ranks fifth nationally in total defense, which is good for third in the Big Ten. Through 10 games, the Wolverines allowed just 261.6 yards on average. On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ unit has averaged 38 points per game since Oct. 5's 10-3 win over Iowa.
“They don’t have the first-round draft picks like Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary and Devin Bush,” Meyer said. “They (have) speed, and they’re playing really hard. Offensively, you’re starting to see production you expected. I give credit to the coaching staff and to the leaders on that team. They’re playing inspired football. But as I said earlier, they’re going to Indiana. We all know what’s coming next week. They have to focus on Indiana in that game.”
Michigan took care of business at Indiana. Ohio State handled Penn State for the Big Ten East. Will the Wolverines have a shot to knock off the Buckeyes, who are two more wins away from their first College Football Playoff appearance since the 2016 season?
“I thought (the adversity) was handled great,” Meyer said. “I know you’re going to have people say that wasn’t a pretty game. That’s utterly ridiculous. That’s two top-10 teams (Ohio State and Penn State). They won the division, arguably the best division in all of college football. Now they’re (preparing) for the showdown against their rival. But enjoy the win. I thought they played great. Give that team in the white credit as well. “