The hype around Michigan-Ohio State is reaching fever-pitch levels entering this Saturday in Ann Arbor, and the college football community is salivating over it.
Just ask college football podcaster and CBS Sports personality, Josh Pate, who gave his prediction for Buckeyes-Wolverines alongside a detailed, bold rationale.
Plain and simple, another upset alert could be brewing in Week 14.
"I cannot overstate the mental impact that this had on me last year, that this had on Ohio State last year," Pate said Tuesday. "Firstly. For terrible reasons. And then, I'm a firm believer it catapulted them into discovering a whole new version of themselves, which was good enough to win a national championship. Michigan's won four straight—I don't know if you've heard that this week, but they've won four straight. But last year was the most inexplicable result out of this entire rivalry as long as I've been a coherent adult human being watching it."
Pate said something tells him that a reverse jinx may come into play, which is why he's ultimately picking the Wolverines to pull off yet another unbelievable upset against the best team in the country.
"I picked this game the moment last year's game ended," Pate said. "I am not going to be proven wrong in this game by Ohio State losing again. So, I think Ohio State's the better team. Model thinks Ohio State wins and wins comfortably. Everything about my breakdown of the game leans me toward Ohio State. I couldn't care less until further notice. Michigan will win this game. Michigan covers, Michigan moneyline. And look, if that's what it takes for Ryan Day and company to win this game, is for me to pick against them, then I'll be happy to take the fall for you. I'm just saying, I've tried to ride with you for the past four years and you guys have done this to me. Michigan has done this to me as well."
Pate also argues that it's ultimately Ohio State's game to lose.
"So, Ohio State holds all the cards to the College Football Playoff in terms of variance," Pate said. "But they also hold the cards here, because their Plan A has worked all season. Like, if you've watched Ohio State games, when have they had to deviate? When has the fastball not worked? They've been able to throw that thing 98 with pretty much pinpoint accuracy all year, and it doesn't really matter. If you can paint in the upper 90's, you don't need a devastating 12 to 6 curveball. You don't need a changeup that falls off a cliff at the lower black. You don't need all of that."
Should Pate be proven correct, chaos is going to be in similar levels as it was last year, but maybe a little bit more heightened.
Only time will tell.