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As an Ohio State fan, I am at a loss for words. The only one that comes to mind is disappointment.
But as an observer of this game, I recognize that Michigan absolutely dominated this year’s version of “The Game.”
From the very jump, Michigan was up to the task. On their first offensive possession, they went down the field and scored a rushing touchdown. On their first defensive drive, they forced a quick three-and-out. Michigan created a storm in the first half, and for the most part, Ohio State was able to weather it.
After picking off Cade McNamara on Michigan’s second drive, Ohio State was able to put up ten points, three off the leg of Noah Ruggles and seven on a beautiful Stroud ball to an acrobatic Garrett Wilson, giving them a 10-7 advantage early in the second quarter. That was the last time Ohio State would ever hold the lead.
At halftime, it was a 14-13 advantage to the Wolverines. Haskins and Co. never looked back.
The big headlines of this game were Michigan’s ability to run at will, and the Buckeyes inability to do a damn thing to stop it. The second half epitomized that.
On Michigan's final four drives, they were able to rattle off four consecutive touchdown drives of 81, 78, 66, and 63 yards, all coming on the ground. All of this while holding Ohio State’s explosive offense to two second half touchdowns. In total, Michigan only had to attempt five passes in the final thirty minutes to get the job done, and to get Jim Harbaugh his first win in six tries against Ohio State.
Michigan’s strengths were on full display all day. Up front, on both sides of the ball, they were strong. Their offensive line was physical, generating push and creating gaps to get Haskins, Corum and the running game 297 yards. On defense, Aidan Hutchinson and the line always seemed to make Stroud just uncomfortable enough when it mattered most, securing four sacks on the day. And in the red zone, the Wolverines defense was able to bunker down and hold Ohio State to two field goals and three touchdowns in five red zone drives. It doesn’t seem like much, but it mattered in the end.
Ohio State’s weaknesses were exposed once again in the bitter, cold weather of Ann Arbor- almost a mirror image of their earlier contest against Oregon. They had absolutely no answer for the run game, sticking to a nickel package instead of selling out to stop the run. On offense, costly mental penalties seemed to stall promising drives. While the offensive stats were good, especially for Stroud, Smith-Njigba, Olave, and Wilson, the defensive failures really were their crux once again in another loss.
In a game in which many, including myself, thought it would come down to Ohio State’s offense versus Michigan’s defense, it was actually Michigan’s physical, imposing offense that was the deciding factor.
No matter who you were rooting for, one thing is for certain: Michigan earned this win. And, for now, it seems after years of Buckeye dominance, there may be a little more intrigue in future contests of this historic, hateful rivalry.
Now excuse me while I curl up in the corner and whisper to myself, "...stop the run...stop the run..."