Ohio State breaks out, crushes No. 4 Michigan
COLUMBUS, Ohio — This season for Ohio State has been anything but normal, beginning with its celebrated coach suspended for three games.
There have been spotty performances and troubling trends on both sides of the ball. There has been constant speculation and questions about Urban Meyer's health and future.
After all that, it was business as usual against Michigan, and now the Buckeyes are right where they always expect to be.
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 recordsetting 62-39 victory Saturday that sends the Buckeyes to the Big Ten championship game.
“I think we definitely showed the country the Ohio State Buckeyes are still here,” offensive tackle Isaiah Prince said.
The Wolverines were two victories away from their first conference championship since 2004 and a trip to the College Football Playoff, facing an underdog Ohio State team that has looked discombobulated on defense and one-dimensional on offense for much of the season. Looking to snap a sixgame losing streak against the Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1) and get coach Jim Harbaugh his first victory in the rivalry known simply as The Game, the Wolverines (10-2, 8-1) wilted.
“Motivated to come back and make darn sure it doesn't happen again,” Harbaugh said. “Win our next game, that's our motivation now.”
In the 115th meeting between two of college football's most storied programs, Ohio State scored more points than it ever had against Michigan — 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 make the playoff.
Maybe most satisfying of all, Ohio State has won 14 of 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
Northwestern rolls: Clayton Thorson accounted for three touchdowns, Isaiah Browser rushed for 166 yards on 18 carries and No. 19 Northwestern beat Illinois 24-16 on Saturday for its seventh straight Big Ten win.
Thorson completed 12 of 18 passes for 110 yards and two TDs. He also ran for a score, and Bowser posted his fourth 100-yard game of the season.
The Wildcats (8-4, 8-1) will face No. 10 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game next weekend in Indianapolis.
Illinois (4-8, 2-7) lost for the sixth time in seven games. AJ Bush Jr. completed 23 of 39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown, and Ricky Smalling finished with seven receptions for 72 yards and a TD.