After their second consecutive win over Ohio State and appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game, the Wolverines are the unequivocal top program of the conference
How much can change in a few years time.
Entering the 2021 season, Jim Harbaugh was facing questions on if he could ever overcome the Ohio State obstacle that had plagued him since his return to Ann Arbor. Before that season, he was 0-5 against the Buckeyes, and had yet to win the Big Ten or make an appearance in the college football playoff. Members of the fanbase called for his resignation or firing, and national media types took great joy in ridiculing his leadership of the Wolverines.
Even with what looked like his best team since his return, the noise before The Game in 2021 was that Ohio State was just too talented a team for Michigan to overcome. It didn’t matter if Ohio State already had lost one game, or if their defense was leaky, Michigan just wouldn’t be able to contain the offensive prowess of the Buckeyes.
Then they did.
And they did so emphatically.
That offense that couldn’t be contained? Swallowed up by a defense that abused Ohio State at the line of scrimmage. On offense, the Wolverines smashed through the Silver Bullets so thoroughly, it felt like the game was over before the fourth quarter as everyone could see OSU had no answer for Michigan’s rushing attack.
The 42-27 win got the Buckeye monkey off Harbaugh’s back, and off the back of a program on the wrong end of these games for the better part of two decades. That win over OSU would propel the Wolverines to the Big Ten title, where they would dismantle Iowa for the conference championship a week later. The program would then see it’s first CFP appearance, but would be ousted by eventual national champ, Georgia.
However, the question had to be asked. Was this a one year wonder? Or was this a sign of future success?
Michigan was losing key pieces on defense that were up for national award considerations. Their defensive coordinator left for the NFL. Their head coach almost left for the NFL too, but at the last moment would decide to stay with Michigan. Eventually after that news of Harbaugh’s return, UM’s offensive coordinator would flee south to Miami.
It looked like this program was about to take whatever good momentum it had from the prior year and watch it evaporate in one tumultuous offseason.
Harbaugh however, steadied the ship, and got back to work defending their Big Ten title, and chasing another shot at the national championship.
This past Saturday, both Michigan and Ohio State faced off in Columbus, OH. Both programs holding a perfect 11-0 record. Both fighting to prove they were the best in the Big Ten East, and deserving of a CFP birth. For the Buckeyes though, the loss from a year before had everyone questioning their toughness, their style of play, and their resolve.
Ohio State was out for revenge and to reclaim their crown. The weather was warm and sunny, perfect for airing it out like they want to do, and at home in front of a rabid crowd.
It didn’t matter.
Michigan broke their tendency of smash mouth football, and expertly adapted to OSU’s aggressive strategy in stopping the run. QB JJ McCarthy would torch a Buckeye secondary to the tune of 263 yards, and 3 TDs, while adding another on the ground. Then, with OSU struggling to score once more against a strong Michigan D, the Wolverines smashed through on the ground with the vast majority of their 252 rushing yards coming after halftime.
It broke the will of Ohio State.
45-23 would be the final, and Michigan planted it’s flag in Columbus, letting all in scarlet and gray know Michigan is once more the team to beat in the Big Ten.
The Wolverines will play this upcoming Saturday in the Big Ten Championship Game against Purdue, in an effort to repeat as conference champs. It will be a matchup that will see the Wolverines heavily favored to win.
For Michigan fans, this is where you expected to be for so many years.
For the rest of the Big Ten, Ohio State included, the road to a title now officially runs through Ann Arbor.