Ready to defend Michigan’s powerful run-heavy offense, JT Tuimoloau (44), Tommy Eichenberg (35), Sonny Styles (6) and Ty Hamilton (58) are lined up in the trenches. The Buckeyes fell to the Wolverines 30-24 Saturday at the Big House. Credit: Caleb Blake | Photo Editor
In college football, we often try to fit things in neat boxes.
This year, Ohio State is a good team; Michigan is not — at least, not on paper.
However, on any given day, one team can defeat another while being vastly outskilled or outcoached. So though most Ohio State fans believe there is no rhyme or reason for a Michigan win in “The Game” this year, they should be careful with this assumption.
In the midst of its three-year winning streak over Ohio State, Michigan has consistently had success running the ball and getting out to early leads, generally causing the Buckeyes to abandon the run.
When Michigan defeated Ohio State in 2021, the Wolverines netted 297 total yards on the ground, compared to the Buckeyes’ 64.
“You feel like they control the game when that happens,” head coach Ryan Day said in the 2021 post-game press conference.
The Buckeyes have routinely abandoned the run when down and in Day’s losses against Michigan become a one-dimensional passing team.
After The Game in 2021, Day said “when you throw that much, you’re gonna put yourself at risk.”
A similar sentiment was expressed after 2023’s defeat, which saw the Wolverines edge out the Buckeyes 30-24.
“We didn’t win the rushing yards, so you’re not going to win the game,” Day said during his post-game press conference in 2023.
The puzzling 2022 loss was a bit of an anomaly, as Ohio State suffered more from getting gashed with big plays, rather than a steady rushing attack throughout.
Even so, the Buckeyes were out-rushed and tasked with playing catch-up in the second half, forcing Day to abandon the run game once again.
The 2024 Wolverines fully embrace a bullying, smash-mouth brand of football, led by running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards.
Mullings has been somewhat of a breakout star for the Wolverines, leading them on the ground with 832 yards and 11 touchdowns. If Michigan is able to hammer the Buckeyes on the ground early in the game, they can effectively silence the ‘Shoe.
This effect was evident in 2022, as Michigan gradually sucked the life out of the home crowd, pulling ahead in its 45-23 defeat of Ohio State.
All the pressure in the world is on Ohio State. A team that fell to Michigan for the past three years is still predicted to win in a bloodbath, with most major sportsbooks favoring the Buckeyes to win by more than three scores.
The Wolverines, however, have nothing to lose. If they can follow the same formula that has netted success in the past, it could lead to a shocking realization for the Buckeyes.
This is even more of a reason why if the game stays close, or Michigan leads early, it could incite a Buckeye collapse. In the past, when play-calling has tightened up and Ohio State has become self-aware regarding the stakes of The Game, the team in Maize and Blue has won.
Part of playing in this massive rivalry is accepting the fact that on that Saturday afternoon, it is truly a one-game season.
Michigan is not a very good football team, and Ohio State is. But history shows that the Wolverines still have the formula to pull off the upset. And their motivation goes without question.
The Ohio State narrative this year has been all about its inconsistency.
The Buckeyes will show flashes of being the best team in the nation at times, but at others, they may blend in with the other forgotten Ohio State teams of the past that fell short of their goals.
Sure, many have been disappointed by Ohio State’s inability to put together a “complete four quarters of football” this season.
Day has struggled to win the big games, but Saturday would be a great time to change the narrative.
As such, it is truly gut-check time for Day and the Buckeyes program.
If Ohio State claims victory, Day’s reputation will be restored — for now.
And if Michigan somehow finds a way to get the Buckeyes for a fourth straight year, madness may break out in Columbus.
