Ohio State loses its rivalry game against Michigan for the third consecutive year. On Saturday, the Buckeyes traveled to Ann Arbor to compete against the Wolverines, but they lost 30–24.
Although these two Big Ten rivals have dominated their last two encounters, the game remained close the whole way. Neither side had a lead of more than eleven points, and the Scarlet and Gray gave up a seven-minute fourth-quarter drive that would have given them a chance to win the game in the closing minutes but were unable to do so,
The loss essentially ends Ohio State’s season, and the Buckeyes will have to watch the Maize and Blue square off in another Big Ten Championship Game. Although they may still sneak their way into the College Football Playoffs, the Scarlet and Gray will want a lot more assistance than they did a year ago.
In the next days, we’ll be preoccupied with where Ohio State will play in the tournament and the implications for the team. Having seen the game from the press box at Michigan Stadium, I offered my preliminary evaluation of the Buckeyes’ performance. I have more to discuss in this week’s Upon Further Review after seeing the game again.
The play isn’t being discussed by enough people.
Anybody who tells you that one play cost their team is either too emotional or doesn’t know what they’re talking about. A football game lasts 60 minutes, and this one had 118 plays. On Saturday, there were several plays that had the potential to change the outcome (either positively or badly). That theater group
I’ve heard a lot of talk about quarterback Kyle McCord’s two interceptions, Ryan Day’s decision to go for it on fourth down, and the potentially interceptable touchdown pass from Michigan (we go over those plays below). However, I don’t think there has been enough discussion of McCord’s final interception and the circumstances surrounding it.
McCord dropped back to pass after moving the Scarlet and Gray to the Wolverine 37-yard line. Looking over the field, he took three backward steps and spotted wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. breaking inside and open. But Jaylen Harrell, a Maize and Blue edge rusher, struck McCord as he was delivering the ball, so he did not fully extend his arm behind the
