On Nov. 30, 2024, Michigan beat Ohio State and secured its fourth consecutive win in The Game. Seven weeks later, on Jan. 20, Ohio State won its ninth national championship after defeating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
The first outcome hurt the Buckeyes. The second hurt the Wolverines.
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham revealed as much when asked at the NFL Scouting Combine about Ohio State’s national title in 2024, though he wasn’t surprised the Buckeyes won it all.
“I knew they were probably one of the better teams," he said. "It hurts me to say that, but I knew they were one of the better teams and had a shot if they got in there."
Despite beating Ohio State, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham wasnt surprised Ohio State won the national title.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 26, 2025
I knew they were probably one of the better teams. It hurts me to say that, but I knew they were one of the better teams and had a shot if they got in there. pic.twitter.com/zSXTvcb8mq
While disappointed to see his rival win a championship, Graham can take solace in the fact that he helped Michigan beat Ohio State this past season. A unanimous All-American in 2024, Graham and fellow defensive tackle Kenneth Grant combined for 11 tackles as the Wolverines limited the Buckeyes to 10 points and 252 yards of offense.
“We knew we were the underdogs, but in our minds, we can play with any team,” Graham said. “Obviously, we didn’t have the year (we wanted), but every time we play those guys, we’re going to bring our A-game.”
Graham went 3-0 against Ohio State during his Michigan career. The Wolverines beat the Buckeyes in Columbus in 2022 and 2024 and in Ann Arbor in 2023. Graham encouraged scouts to look at his film from the 2024 matchup as a reason to draft him in April.
“I feel like just roll on that Ohio State film,” he said. “That’s all you need to see, really.”
Fellow Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant also pointed to last season’s Ohio State game as the game he’d most want NFL scouts to watch.
“Definitely that Ohio State game,” Grant said. (Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale) lined me up in that 0 (technique), and I was eating all game to be honest. I was stopping the run pretty good and had the opportunity to rush the passer, so I was back there a lot.”
Michigan defensive tackles Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham each pointed to the Ohio State game as the game theyd most want NFL scouts to watch to see who they are as players. pic.twitter.com/2Af8BE5xiv
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 26, 2025
