Ten Things Buckeye Fans Will Be Saying After The Michigan Game

We are now just one day away from The Game. Michigan will bring a 6-5 record into Ohio Stadium to face the No. 2 Buckeyes. Ohio State is favored, but that won’t matter as you are watching the game. All that matters is each and every snap.

You’re going to have a lot on your mind during the game and you’re going to let most of it flow freely out of your mouth, mostly due to nervous energy and extreme fits of anger. The nerves should dwindle some after the game, which is why what you’ll be saying after the game won’t be filled with as many expletives. Some of those things you’ll be saying can be found below.

“This was why Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau came back.”

Senior defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau combined for 2.5 sacks last week against Indiana. They will be facing an offensive line that has had issues at offensive tackle all season long. Stopping the run will be paramount, but a sack on any given drive will be key as well. Michigan has given up 12 sacks to Power 4 opponents this season. They have scored three total points on drives where they gave up a sack, and have only converted first downs twice — both on the same drive against Illinois (which ended in an interception.) Run the ball, win the game? Nah, sack the quarterback, win the game. Expect the OSU defensive ends to make their mark in this one. Repeatedly.

“I never expected to feel this way for Will Howard.”

Admit it, when it was announced that Will Howard was transferring to Ohio State, you were like, “Who? From where?” Now you’re wondering if you have a chance of marrying your sister or daughter off to him. Howard has been better than advertised, and will continue his stellar play this weekend. This will be the best defense he has played since Penn State, so a random turnover may pop up, but you can rest assured that Will Howard is going to do everything within his physical abilities to win this game for the Buckeyes and your daughter or sister.

“We gave them too many opportunities”

Just prepare yourself for this game to be closer than it should be. It won’t make you happier, but it will help keep you from being caught off guard. Michigan’s passing offense can’t make big plays, so they’ll need some help from the Buckeyes. They’ll get it at some point. It’s going to happen. Make friends with it. Will the Buckeye defense wrap up the running backs on first approach? If not, a big play could be had there as well. There will be penalties, maybe a turnover or two, a bad punt, or whatever. Bad things are going to happen in this game, but so are good things. Probably.

“Once again a freshman receiver makes a mark in this game.”

In 2018, it was unheralded true freshman Chris Olave who caught a pair of 24-yard touchdowns and blocked a punt against the Wolverines. One year later, heralded true freshman Garrett Wilson caught three passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. This year, it will be Jeremiah Smith, who is currently suffering from the longest touchdown drought of his career — two games. Smith is due to explode and Michigan’s secondary will be ground zero. Michigan’s ballyhooed cornerback Will Johnson has been out for over a month, so even if he were somehow to return this week (not expected), he will have rust. The Wolverine corners have struggled this season, and the safeties haven’t exactly been stellar either. There are opportunities for big plays, and maybe more importantly there will be opportunities for consistent success moving the chains.

“I am thankful for Cody Simon.”

When Michigan gets into third-and-long situations on Saturday, expect middle linebacker Cody Simon to be sent on some blitzes, as he was last week. He has been very effective in those blitzes, sacking Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke three times last week. Michigan has a short passing attack, so those blitzes will have to get home quickly. Simon won’t just be blitzing, of course, he’ll also be a big part in keeping the Michigan running game from finding second chances. It’s the second chances that have given the Wolverines their life in the running game this year. If Cody Simon wraps up on those plays, you’ll be giving thanks that he did.

“I love how hard they ran.”

Running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed for just 60 yards and 3.2 yards per carry in last year’s 30-24 loss to the Wolverines. This is his last crack at the Wolverines, so you can expect him to run harder than he has all season long — and he’s run pretty damn hard this season. He won’t be alone. Quinshon Judkins will be right there with him — sometimes even blocking for Henderson or being blocked for by him. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn has these guys running harder than they ever have. They’ll do it again on Saturday. And watching on the other sideline will be Henderson’s former running backs coach Tony Alford, who decided he’d rather be at Michigan this year than spend another minute at Ohio State.

“I’m going to give Justin Frye some credit.”

If Ohio State’s offensive line 4.0 holds up on Saturday, you’ll finally have to give offensive line coach Justin Frye some credit for it. Losing the irreplaceable Josh Simmons at left tackle — and then actually replacing him was impressive. Then losing the apex of the offense with Seth McLaughlin made Frye’s job even more difficult. If Carson Hinzman holds up in this game and the Buckeyes can run the ball a little bit and hold up to Michigan’s pass rush, then you might want to give Justin Frye at least one kudo. Perhaps even a second.

“I will miss Lathan Ransom.”

Safety Lathan Ransom has been through it all since he arrived in 2020. He was a freshman during the COVID season, has played every safety position known to man, has suffered devastating injuries, has never stopped fighting back, and has always been exactly what you’d want a Buckeye to be. Sure, Caleb Downs will return next year at safety, but try replacing somebody who has given everything to make it back on the field time and again — and then been really damn good when he’s out there. Appreciate him while you’ve got him, because his coaches sure will.

“I would have liked to have seen six or seven more touchdowns.”

Look, we all overindulge a bit this week, so you shouldn’t be ashamed of wanting more and more and more in this game. At some point, however, you have to be satisfied with whatever victory you can get in this game. All that matters is having one more point than the other team. Wanting perfection in this game is a sure way to find disappointment even in victory. You can either have your cake or you can eat it. You generally can’t have both.

“It’s on to Oregon, but I’m gonna enjoy this one for a little while.”

There will still be more to do for the Buckeyes if they come away with a victory on Saturday, but you can worry about that on Sunday. Or Monday. I mean, it’s not like you’re playing in the next game. So until that next game, if Ohio State does get the win, feel free to enjoy the natural order of things being restored for as long as you need.

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