Meyer: Michigan vacating wins ‘silly’ idea
Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer admitted he doesn’t know what the punishment should be for Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal.
It’s “a gigantic deal,” Meyer said on The Dispatch’s OSU football podcast, continuing that “I’m not sure this kind of thing has ever happened.”
But when asked by Colin Cowherd on FOX Sports radio about what Michigan’s punishment should be, Meyer called one punishment idea “silly.”
“I think the vacate stuff is silly,” Meyer said. “I talked to (former Southern California quarterback) Matt Leinart about that. I think they had something vacated. They don’t consider it vacated. ... The players did it.”
Meyer later said he heard “there’s a chance” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh “won’t coach there next year,” but that the former Ohio State coach wants to wait and see what the depth of the scandal proves to be.
Herbstreit: Game likely the last of its kind
Former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit said Saturday’s Ohio Statemichigan game could be the last of its kind.
“This is what Ohio State and Michigan fans dream about, honestly,” Herbstreit said on ESPN’S “College Gameday.” “These last few years where undefeated vs. undefeated. Two vs. three, winner-take-all. And I’ll tell you something: with the 12-team playoff, enjoy this one because if this is next year and you lose, you’re not out of anything.
“It’s like NCAA March Madness. You go from being a one-seed to a three or four. So this year, let’s embrace this. Winner-take-all the way it’s supposed to be.”
LB Eichenberg returns
Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, who missed the previous two games with an elbow injury, returned to the Buckeyes’ lineup Saturday.
Coach Ryan Day said Eichenberg could have played last Saturday against Minnesota, but they held him out as a precaution rather than risk a setback ahead of the matchup with Michigan.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. also returned. Hall was out last week against Minnesota with an undisclosed injury. He backed up starter Ty Hamilton . ...
The Wolverines wore blue pants, the same alternate uniform they wore in their win over Ohio State in 2021 . ...
Blake Corum’s touchdown run in the first quarter was his 21st of the season, breaking a tie with Hassan Haskins (2021) for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season in Michigan history. The touchdown gave him 52 for his career, No. 2 all-time behind Anthony Thomas’ 55.