While it’s uncertain whether Michigan will be able to play Ohio State next weekend, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith is confident the Wolverines will do everything they can to try to make that game happen.
There have been conspiracy theories that Michigan, who is just 2-4 this season and projected to be a nearly four-touchdown underdog against Ohio State, might be looking for an excuse not to play that game. Realistically, Michigan might not be able to play no matter how much it wants to. Chris Thomas and David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press reported Friday that “Michigan athletic officials are pessimistic about their ability to travel to Columbus in two Saturdays for their annual football game against Ohio State” after at least a dozen members of the football program tested positive for COVID-19, which forced the Wolverines to cancel their game against Maryland this week and pause team activities until Monday.