Resurgent Buckeyes ruin Wolverines’ plans
Setting record for points, Ohio State adds chapter to torment of major rival
COLUMBUS, Ohio — After a most unusual regular season for Ohio State, it was business as usual against Michigan.
Dwayne Haskins threw five touchdown passes, freshman Chris Olave had a breakout performance, and No.10 Ohio State continued its mastery over No. 4 Michigan with a record-setting 62-39 victory Saturday that sends the Buckeyes to the Big Ten championship game.
The Wolverines were two victories away from their first conference championship since 2004 and a trip to the College Football Playoff, facing an Ohio State team that has looked discombobulated on defense and onedimensional on offense much of the season. Looking to snap a six-game losing streak against the Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1, No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings) and get coach Jim Harbaugh his first victory in four tries in the rivalry known simply as The Game, the Wolverines (10-2, 8-1, No. 4 CFP) wilted.
In the115th meeting between two of college football’s most storied schools, Ohio State scored more points than it ever had against Michigan — and more points than any team has ever scored in regulation against Michigan.
And now, despite all the dysfunction at Ohio State this season — both on and off the field — the Buckeyes will face No. 20 Northwestern next week in Indianapolis with a chance to repeat as Big Ten champs and maybe even squeeze into the playoff.
“I think we definitely showed the country the Ohio State Buckeyes are still here,” offensive tackle Isaiah Prince said.
Maybe most satisfying of all, Ohio State made it 14 victories in the last 15 meetings against the team it loves to beat the most.
“This is not an ordinary game,” Buckeyes defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones said. “This is a game that’s got years and miles behind.”
Olave, who came into the game with five catches and no touchdowns, caught two TD passes in the first half and broke it open on special teams in the third quarter. He looped through a seam in the line and got a chunk of Will Hart’s punt. The ball sailed off high and to theside andwentto Sevyn Banks, who cruised 33 yards for a touchdown that made it 34-19 andsenttheOhioStadiumcrowdintoafrenzy.
“Motivated to come back and make darn sure it doesn’t happen again,” Harbaugh said. “Win our next game, that’s our motivation now.”
The takeaway
Michigan: Harbaugh is now 0-4 against Ohio State and faces another year of critics questioning his ability to win the big game.
Ohio State: The season started for Ohio State with coach Urban Meyer suspended for three games for his handling of former assistant coach Zach Smith, who has been accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife. A cloud of uncertainty hung over the Buckeyes throughout preseason practice, and this season has been anything but normal.
The road to The Game was filled with spotty performances, one humbling loss, several close calls and constant speculation and questions about Meyer’s health and future.
After all of it, Ohio State stomped Michigan yet again, this time as an underdog. Meyer flashed a satisfied grin when he met Parris Campbell on the sideline after a 78-yard touchdown run that made it 48-25 early in the fourth quarter.
“Extremely proud of our players, the way they fought through it,” Meyer said. “And like someone was saying, nothing’s ever good enough. And obviously some adversity earlier in the year — not some, big-time adversity. And to come back against your rival and play like that, that’s a focused team that loves each other and cares about each other.”
Up next
Michigan: The Wolverines will likely still get into a New Year’s Six bowl, maybe the Peach.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes have won six straight against Northwestern and lost to the Wildcats just once, dating to1972.