The big story entering The Game this weekend was how Ohio State would respond to a demoralizing home loss on Senior Day a week ago against Michigan State. The Buckeyes did absolutely nothing on offense last week, failed to shut down the MSU running game, and couldn't stop an offense using its second- and third-string quarterbacks in place of Connor Cook.
Michigan probably felt this was the best opportunity to beat Ohio State since the 2011 undead season, fielding the nation’s No. 10 team in its own home stadium, with a renewed swagger in the passing game. The Wolverines may have dodged a couple of bullets against Indiana and Minnesota, but they presented a formidable challenge with the conference’s top defense against both the run and pass, and the league’s best tight end.
Could the offense get back on track after being completely shut down seven days prior? Would the Buckeyes be able to contain Jake Butt in the passing game? Could the defense keep Jake Rudock and the offense in check? Would the Buckeyes bounce back on the road?
Yes, a little, mostly, and hell yes. The Buckeyes rolled for 369 rushing yards and 482 total yards and six touchdowns. Butt had five catches for 54 yards, converting some big third downs, but he did not get into the end zone. The Wolverines were held to just 57 rush yards but passed for 307, with much of that coming on third down. But yes, it’s good to get back in the win column against the most hated rival.
In the end, all signs pointed to an Ohio State blowout victory. Here are your talking points from yesterday’s 42-13 road win at Michigan:
WATER COOLER PREP (EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW…IN ONE PARAGRAPH)
Ezekiel Elliott and J.T. Barrett ran wild on the Wolverine defense. Zeke went for 214 yards on 30 carries (7.1 YPA) with two touchdowns, while J.T. carried 19 times for 139 yards (7.3 YPA) and three scores. Barrett completed 9/13 for 139 yards and a touchdown to Jalin Marshall, with no turnovers. Ohio State started poorly on third-down defense, but held the Wolverines to one touchdown and only a fourth-quarter field goal after halftime.
GIVE THAT MAN A BUCKEYE LEAF (PLAYER OF THE GAME)
In the final game of the regular season, this is a split award, with Elliott and Joey Bosa sharing the title of MVP of The Game. Zeke was obviously coming off a week of dealing with his postgame comments after the loss to Sparty and he wore his passion on his sleeve, tallying the third most rushing yards by any visitor to Michigan Stadium. Bosa finished with only three official tackles (all solo stops) and two quarterback hurries, but he terrorized the Wolverine line all day. His sack knocked Rudock out of the game and he also intercepted a pass and forced a fumble.
DID YOU SEE THAT?! (PLAY OF THE GAME)
Bosa showed his athleticism with his fourth-quarter tip and interception of Wilton Speight and nearly had a pick-six on it, clobbering the Michigan backup quarterback with a violent stiffarm.
SLOBBER KNOCKER OF THE GAME
There were two plays worthy of this week’s top slobber knocker. The first came on the first play after Barrett’s second touchdown run late in the third quarter. Rudock kept and rolled left, where he was smashed between Tyquan Lewis and Josh Perry. The second was when Bosa crushed Rudock on a sack, knocking the Michigan starter out of the game. Both of those plays looked like they hurt a lot and the fact that Rudock is still breathing means he’s an alien or a superhero.
TALK IN THE AFTERMATH
Our own Chris Lauderback really makes you think.
Maybe Harbaugh will think twice next time about busting a nut on Bo's grave.
— Chris Lauderback (@Chris11W) November 28, 2015
Former Buckeyes were happy to weigh in after the game.
Nothing better than a victory over #TTUN heading into leap year. One extra day of talking smack!!!
— robert smith (@ESPNRobertSmith) November 28, 2015
We didn't score enough points LMAO
— Boom Herron (@BOOMHERRON1) November 28, 2015
And a few stats for you, including the number of days since Michigan last beat Ohio State:
Michigan coaches to beat OSU in the past 12 years: Brady Hoke OSU coaches to lose to Michigan in the past 12 years: Luke Fickell
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) November 28, 2015
1,463 days. #GoBucks
— Shaddy (@BuckeyeJammer) November 28, 2015
JIM TRESSEL'S LEAST FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE GAME
The game was well in hand midway through the fourth quarter, and Tressel sat back to have a celebratory Diet Coke. The Buckeyes suffered their only three-and-out of the game and Cameron Johnston came out to punt. Tressel took a swig as the snap sailed high, but the Aussie fielded it cleanly. However, the punt was blocked and the entire mouthful of Diet Coke came out of Tressel’s nose. It burned throughout the rest of the day. "Gosh darn it," muttered the former OSU coach.
WHEN YOU SANK INTO YOUR CHAIR (THE MOMENT BUCKEYE FOOTBALL DISGRACED YOUR FAMILY)
Anytime Ohio State gave up a first down on 3rd-and-long, I felt a great disturbance in the force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. Michigan converted eight of its first 11 third downs on offense, and finished 9/18. That’s not optimal on defense.
WHAT YOU TEXTED YOUR FRIEND AT THE END OF EACH QUARTER
First: “Zeke back?”
Second: “This D can’t stop giving scores right back.”
Third: “Dominant quarter.”
Fourth: “That was fun. Go Nitts!”
IT WAS OVER WHEN
Ohio State responded to Michigan’s second field goal, which cut the lead to 15, at 28-13. When Zeke capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown romp, the game was effectively out of reach with a full 12:53 left to play. The Wolverines were never coming back from 35-13 and they never seriously threatened again.
The regular season is over. Penn State was unable to do the Buckeyes a solid and mount any kind of threat to Michigan State (or even get out of their own way most of the game). The Buckeyes await their bowl destination but it should be a pretty good one. There's not likely enough chaos remaining that would push Ohio State back into the top four, although a few of the necessary dominoes did fall last night. Still, a win over Michigan means the season was a success.
