We’re heading into the sixth week of college football, and already, there has been drama galore! Last year’s champions, the Michigan Wolverines, didn’t have the best start to the season. They were simply outplayed by the Longhorns in Week 2. However, since then, Sherrone Moore‘s team has been unbeatable in the games against USC and Minnesota. Yet, no sign of them going near becoming national champions. Who can it be? Well, the Wolverines faithful would be familiar with one name doing the rounds.

A month before the college football season started, analyst Josh Pate released his preseason college football power rankings in late July. As per his preseason rankings, the Georgia Bulldogs were his no. 1 ranked team, followed by “Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Alabama.” Where were the Wolverines? At No. 11. If you look closely at the top 5 teams, you’ll find Ohio State, a familiar foe for the Wolverines. Five weeks into the season, we have Josh Pate’s latest predictions. Who is his pick for the throne?

Well, it was always going to be a choice between two teams for the Big 10 throne: Ohio State and Oregon. Pate is clear in who he is going for. “I’m taking Ohio State against Oregon and conference title game. They play each other next week in Eugene, by the way. So we don’t have to wait until then. Round one, maybe is next week in the Pacific Northwest. Round two, theoretically would be in Indianapolis in December. So give me Ohio State over Oregon as the same prediction. Haven’t changed anything there.”

Any notable challenges? Well, Pate could only think of only one change since his predictions before the season. The USC hasn’t looked as bad as he had predicted. In fact, minus the close loss (24-27) against the Wolverines, Lincoln Riley’s team has showcased that it has learned its lessons from the setbacks of the last season- especially on defense where every Tom, Dick and Harry bullied the team.

Michigan, on the other hand, is still finding its feet, and why not! When you lose a personality like Jim Harbaugh and do not have as good a roster on offense as last year, you’re bound to struggle. The QB(s) have looked off; it didn’t matter that Alex Orji replaced Davis Warren two weeks ago. That aspect still needs a lot of work. What about their rivals? The Buckeyes, whom they are facing at the end of November? Ryan Day is taking care of business.

Ohio State Buckeyes lead the way in Big 10

It’s natural to make a huge deal out of the November 30 game between the Ohio State and Michigan Wolverines. Well, it’s one of the most storied rivalries, or “The Game,” as it is referred to in popular culture. In recent meetings between the two, the Wolverines have had an edge.

Ryan Day has gone three games without a win against Michigan, a fact that he’d want to change on November 30. However, that game is in distant memory. For now, the Buckeyes are 4-0, and what matters is their next game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Some things have gone Ryan Day’s away, and that may explain the start. For instance, the transfer of Will Howard from Kansas State. It has worked like a charm for the Buckeyes. The second thing is the rise of Jeremiah Smith. Every fanbase wants a young star to root for, and the Buckeyes couldn’t have landed on a better one.

The real plus has been the defense, and one may say that they’re yet to face a big program. But, hey! Many of their competitors have looked unconvincing against these so-called ‘easy’ teams. And if you want them to face some real challenge, they’ll have that in the form of Oregon, Penn State and Michigan- an exciting slate of fixtures ahead!