ESPN 'College GameDay' Debates Ohio State, Michigan For Big Ten Champion

The Ohio State Buckeyes' four-consecutive conference titles sneak was snapped in 2021 by the now back-to-back Big Ten Champion Michigan Wolverines.

The Big Ten feels like its coming down to a four-horse race between the two-time defending champion No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 7 Penn State and No. 19 Wisconsin.

On ESPN "College GameDay" Saturday, the panel went through after picking a few week 0 contests and discussed who they thought would win each Power Five conference. When it came to the Big Ten, the Buckeyes had a 2-1 advantage over the Wolverines.

Former Wolverines wide receiver Desmond Howard and former Buckeyes quarterback Kirk Herbstreit both picked their respective alma maters, as Pat McAfee broke the tie with his Ohio State pick.

Howard believed Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is "going to take a step up" with "the most-talented backfield behind him."

McAfee said, despite not knowing who the starting quarterback is, he felt "real good saying this."

"Give me Ohio State just strictly because of what has happened over the last couple years and then getting a chance to watch them play against Georgia last year," McAfee said. "I think Ohio State has found an attitude and a culture. Now, who is the quarterback that is going to lead it? I like Ohio State to get back to the mountain top."

Herbstreit piggy-backed on McAfee's pick, going into the outlook of the Buckeyes' defense.

"It's going to be interesting to see after the way they played the last couple of games against Michigan and then Georgia when they gave up some explosives," Herbstreit said. "They had an entire offseason to try to really improve with Jim Knowles now in his second year in this system."

Herbstreit said whether it's Kyle McCord or Devin Brown under center, they will benefit from the knowledge of Ryan Day and Brian Hartline.

"The beneficiary of having that scheme with Marvin Harrison, Emeka Egbuka, they're just so loaded," Herbstreit said. "TreVeyon Henderson is back healthy. I still think they have a great shot to make a run."

Herbstreit and McAfee both included the Buckeyes in their College Football Playoff with the latter having Ohio State lose to Alabama in the national championship.

Howard had his alma mater winning it all.

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