Michigan will have to wait yet another year to get a shot at Ohio State. The Buckeyes shook off a quick start from the Wolverines, got the big-play machine going and raced out to a big lead in Ann Arbor, then held on for their eighth-straight victory over Michigan 56-27.
The defense wasn’t it’s usual stout unit, but at the end of the day, you simply take the win in a rivalry game and move on. There were a lot of bizarre and unusual things that happened in this one, and plenty to take from what we saw.
As is customary, here’s five things we learned from yet another victory over That Team Up North.
Ohio State won the battle up front
Michigan’s defense has looked fantastic through the last few games. But … it had yet to meet an offensive line like Ohio State’s. This Buckeye O-line is big, strong, and athletic and were able to lean on the Wolverine front all game long.
The team that wins the rushing battle in this one wins almost every contest without fail, and you could see the control Ohio State and J.K. Dobbins had in making holes and pushing the point of attack. Sure, there were some big plays through the air, but the ground and pound was the difference in this one.
Next … soft in the passing game
The Ohio State pass defense looked out of sorts
I’m not sure if it had a little to do with Shaun Wade being held from the game, or whether it was the scheme of Michigan, but there were signs of trouble in the secondary this game. Part of it was because the defensive line wasn’t getting to Shea Patterson as much as it wanted, but there were clearly some blown assignments down the field.
It all led to a pretty big day by quarterback Shea Patterson and the receiving group, and a issue the Ohio State coaching staff will have to deal with if it has dreams of grandeur still. There are still bigger fish to fry than what the Wolverines offered believe it or not.
Next … Where was Chase Young
Michigan did a heck of a job on Chase Young
Ohio State defensive end Chase Young wasn’t the game wrecker he’s been all year and you have to credit to the Michigan coaching staff. Many teams have tried to limit his impact on the game, but the Wolverines were the only ones able to pull it off.
They double teamed with a tight end often, got the ball out with quick passes, and ran away from him on some occasions. It all worked. It gave Patterson just enough time and allowed the receivers to separate. In the end it didn’t matter much.
The running game couldn’t get off like Jim Harbaugh and company would have liked, but the offense was effective in the first half because the D-line wasn’t in the backfield quite as often.
Next … Justin Fields is a warrior
Justin Fields is one tough nut
Raise your hand if you’re heart fell back in your throat when Justin Fields got hit low and laid on the ground as the game cut to a commercial break. The hit looked horrible and the type of unlucky play that can put a guy out for a spell.
He got off the turf on his own power after being evaluated and came back with a knee-brace on. We won’t speculate on what the level of severity is, but he was able to still go, came back in the game and promptly threw a 30-yard laser to Garrett Wilson after keeping things alive on a bum knee.
And it’s not the first time this year he’s had to battle through injury. Last week his thumb was tweaked, and there are other times he’s been hit hard, bruised and battered, and just kept battling.
If Michigan didn’t know who he was before the game, it does now.
Next … Big things still alive
Everything is still on the table
A loss to Michigan wouldn’t have necessarily taken the lofty College Football Playoff goals out of reach, but it would have administered a bit of a blow. But that’s not a problem now.
There was serious debate on whether Ohio State should have leaped over LSU for the No. 1 ranking in the College Football Playoff. There won’t be much of one now since the Buckeyes have added another top 15 win on the road in a rivalry game to its resume.
It would be interesting to see what happens if OSU somehow loses in the Big Ten Championship, but you can almost book the Buckeyes into the College Football Playoff.
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