Thursday, December 5, 2024

Michigan upsets Ohio State as three-TD underdogs to win fourth straight in rivalry, ding Buckeyes’ CFP hopes

Must read

You can never take anything for granted in college football — especially in a rivalry game. No. 2 Ohio State was nearly a three-touchdown favorite over Michigan on Saturday, but it didn’t matter as the Wolverines pulled off a stunning 13-10 upset win in front of 100,000 Ohio State fans at Ohio Stadium.

The Wolverines did this despite managing only 235 yards of offense while averaging 4.1 yards per play.

The Wolverines did this despite throwing for only 62 yards.

They did it despite two red zone interceptions from Davis Warren.

Time and time again, Michigan opened the door for Ohio State to put them away, and time and time again, Ohio State failed to do so.

With a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game on the line, as well clarity about their College Football Playoff position, the Buckeyes laid the biggest egg of the Ryan Day Era. The Buckeyes offense, which had been one of the better units in the country all season long, had no answers. Or maybe they kept asking the wrong questions.

Despite an inability to run the ball effectively, the Buckeyes continued to try. Like the Wolverines, the Buckeyes turned the ball over, too; Will Howard threw two interceptions, including one in the red zone.

Still, the Ohio State defense bailed the team out on multiple occasions until finally breaking late in the fourth quarter. After a 77-yard drive that ended with a heartbreaking red zone interception from Davis Warren, the Michigan defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back at the Michigan 40. The offense went back to work, driving 57 yards, led by a 27-yard gain (32 carries, 116 yards) by Kalel Mullings on a third down play to set the Wolverines up in the red zone. Michigan ran the ball a few more times and forced Ohio State to burn through its remaining timeouts before Dominic Zvada hit a 20-yard field goal.

Ohio State couldn’t get a first down on the ensuing possession, and the Wolverines picked up their fourth straight win over their hated rival.

Latest article