College Football

WhatIfSports 2014 College Football Week 14 Predictions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:36 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Each Monday, WhatIfSports.com's NCAA college football simulation engine provides game predictions for every D-1 FBS game that upcoming week. The college football simulation engine generates detailed information for each game including each team's chances of winning (Win%) and the average points scored for both teams. 

Check out our 2014 College Football Season-to-Date page to follow our accuracy and for Upsets of the Week.

The statistical inputs to the thousands of college football simulations are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically based player rankings. Roster modifications are made in cases of injury or suspension and those players are removed from their team's game simulation for that week.

Game of the Week: Michigan at Ohio State

In the five games Michigan has won this season, the Wolverines defense has allowed 11.2 points per game. In the six games they've lost, the defense has allowed 28.5 points per game. The defense's margin of error cannot be that great when the Wolverine's offense is only averaging 20.3 points per game - ranked 114th in FBS.

Turnovers have also hurt Brady Hoke's squad as well as his job security heading into 2015. Michigan' turnover margin (-1.27 / game) is dead last in the Big Ten. Senior quarterback Devin Gardner has thrown 14 interceptions with only eight touchdowns - one of the worst ratios among FBS quarterbacks.

The running back tandem of De'Veon Smith and Derrick Green has combined for nine touchdowns and better than 5.0 yards per carry. Devin Funchess (55 receptions for 625 yards with four touchdowns) is Gardner's primary target at this juncture, which isn't much when it comes to a very mundane, uncreative offense.

Fact: after starting 5-0 in 2013, the Wolverines are 7-12 in the past 19 games.

Ohio State needs a win to keep its slim college football playoff hopes alive. However, a trend Urban Meyer would like to buck heading into the Big Ten Championship would be slow starts and a defense that has allowed more than 29 points per game over their last three contests. The 29 PAPG is nearly seven points more than their season average of 22.5 (30th in FBS).

During that same stretch, which started with an upset win over Michigan State, J.T. Barrett has thrown 10 touchdowns with only three interceptions and rushed for 353 yards with three more touchdowns (117.6 rush yards per game).

Freshman receiver Jalin Marshall has stepped up over the last two games with 10 receptions for 190 yards and four touchdowns.

We simulated the Buckeyes and Wolverines 101 times and the computers like Ohio State to win 72.3 percent of the time by an average score of 25-18.

For additional statistics, view our weekly college football predictions.

share

Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

College Football

Devin Funchess

Eastern Michigan Eagles

Michigan State Spartans

Michigan Wolverines

Ohio State Buckeyes

Western Michigan Broncos