COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State senior Jack Sawyer desires a bit of that Michigan flag. Several Buckeye teammates need to push and/or punch the Wolverines gathered at midfield to plant their flag on Ohio State’s midfield emblem for the second time in 4 years.
None of those folks look as honorable as they assume after Saturday’s 13-10 loss towards Michigan.
In the phrases of Michigan operating again Kalel Mullings: “We had 60 minutes to battle on the sphere.”
Fighting afterward might, within the minds of Buckeye followers, show that Ohio State takes satisfaction in defending its house turf. Can’t let your rival disrespect The Horseshoe like that, proper?
But I watched OSU’s postgame tantrum from a special, much less invested vantage level. And what I noticed when Ohio State rushed Michigan on Saturday — dropping staff shoulders the blame — was the explanation OSU can’t beat its rival.
And we’re not speaking toughness.
No, after 4 straight losses to Michigan, the fourth of which got here to this model of Michigan, it’s not that easy. This goes deeper than the trenches, the place Ohio State was as soon as once more pushed round vs. the Wolverines. It goes deeper than the playbook, the place the Buckeyes by some means struggled to seek out the “full passes to nation’s greatest receiving corps” part towards a secondary lacking its prime cornerback. And it goes a lot deeper than expertise, the place Ohio State has owned a bonus that hasn’t mattered for the final 4 seasons.
In my opinion, the rationale for this loss lies deep in Ohio State’s psyche, previous the components that put together sport scripts and skim opposing defenses. Look deep previous this program’s frontal lobe, search the furthest a part of this staff’s mind and also you’ll discover the true drawback with OSU’s method to Michigan: A Wolverine.
That Michigan lives in Ohio State’s thoughts isn’t any shock. It’s not even purported to be a foul factor. Ask coach Ryan Day, or some other Buckeye, they usually’ll inform you: We’re all the time enthusiastic about Michigan.
The drawback is how that philosophy manifests. When coach Sherrone Moore says the identical verse, he means UM is all the time aspect eyeing its rival, watching their progress, or getting ready one other wrinkle (Michigan’s greatest cross play Saturday got here when receiver Kendrick Bell focused receiver Tyler Morris, who drew a cross interference penalty) to beat Ohio State.
When the Buckeyes say it, they consider all of the ache Michigan has triggered them. They keep in mind stolen indicators, a 3rd base remark and numerous bruising, backbreaking runs from the final three seasons. Since 2021, when Michigan first flipped this rivalry, it has run for 877 yards in The Game.
Ohio State has been attempting to show its toughness since, each by getting mad and operating the ball (at fewer than 4 yards per carry in three of 4 video games). Flex, growl, battle, the pondering goes, and also you’ll resolve this Michigan drawback.
Four years later, it’s time to strive a brand new method. The Buckeyes appeared massive, sturdy and able to run by a wall throughout Saturday’s loss. They ran the ball loads, they usually threw literal punches in hopes it will shield their house discipline.
But Michigan performed higher (if not larger and stronger), held Ohio State to 76 dashing yards on 26 carries (once more) and ate Ohio State’s greatest punch, which got here after the sport.
Final rating: Michigan 13, plus a pair postgame shiners, Ohio State 10, plus all of the guilt that follows a sore loser.
I’m certain the diehards disagree. I guess they assume Michigan began the brawl by planting the flag. They would possibly say I don’t get this rivalry now that I’ve prompt OSU settle for a loss in it.
But whereas I’m lacking the purpose, the large, dangerous Buckeyes hold dropping. They hold proving — or attempting to show — how robust they’ve turn out to be over the past 4 years, they usually hold lacking the purpose of this successful streak (how ironic) within the course of.
Michigan’s newest win, just like the earlier three, relied on greater than energy and rage. The Wolverines additionally thrived on composure, poise, modulated motivation. And UM earned its celebration on Saturday for a similar cause Ohio State interrupted it.
“We talked about all of it week, being disciplined and letting our play do the speaking,” Michigan quarterback Davis Warren stated. “We had that one unsportsmanlike offsetting (penalty), which, these are going to occur in video games like this. But I believe as a unit, as a staff, we did a fantastic job of that.
“What occurred on the finish, I can’t converse for that. But we’re going to win in your home, and we’re going to plant the flag. You ought to have performed one thing about it.”
Something throughout the sport, that’s.
