ANN ARBOR, MI — In one of the biggest and most satisfying wins in their illustrious and storied history, the defending national champion Ohio State Football Buckeyes defeated the hated archrival Michigan Wolverines, 27-9
In the snowy weather and Midwestern elements of old-school Big Ten-style weather, Ohio State, thankfully went back to their roots in playing power football in dominating on the ground, thanks to freshman RB Bo Jackson out of Cleveland Villa-Angela St Joseph, and his 117 yards on 22 carries.
In having the pleasure and privilege in being in and around this team for a year since their 28-17 win vs. Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, I saw and witnessed a change in attitude and culture following their 13-10 loss to That Team Up North.
Losing Chip Kelly to the Raiders and Jim Knowles to Penn State in the offseason was expected to hurt or hinder Ohio State, instead the Buckeyes brought in a three-time Super Bowl champion former defensive coordinator in Matt Patricia and promoted former Canton McKinley standout and OSU standout WR, Brian Hartline to OC, and things just took off.
The players seemed looser, more freer, and given the opportunity to be themselves. As I’ve stated on here at The Inscriber : Digital Magazine and photographed them this past season, this team just seemed different.
Different in being tougher mentally, physically and psychologically.
While OSU was still able to reload and retain a lot of talent from last year’s title team, this team grew up and learned for the pain of the past, and went back to basics at the Big House.
Past Buckeye teams would have let the Wolverines get in their heads and try to draw penalties and tasing them. Instead, you saw a champion unbothered, not rattled and not shaken by the taunts of the maize-and-blue clad amateurs, and let their play do the talking, to the tune of a complete dominating performance.
They said that Ohio State wasn’t tested, couldn’t play in the elements, right?
I guess my soon-to-be 50-year-old eyes deceived me in seeing a California-born QB in Julian Sayin throw 3 TD’s to Miami-born Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate.
Oh, did I fail to mention that Sayin threw for 233 yards, and all but clinched his ticket to New York?
What about that “other” QB1?
You know! The frosh uber sensation that TTUN paid $12.5 million in NIL money for?
The one that trash talked LBJ on a podcast, and the same one that Barstool Troll-In-Chief Dave Portnoy would shut up about?
Bryce Underwood right?
Well, he had a bad day at the office in finishing 8/18 for 68 yards and one interception.
Apparently, he was tied up in afternoon meetings all day with Arvell Reese, Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Next time, less trash talk and trolling, and more results and productions.
Lastly, this team showed its true heart and class in celebrating with their fans in the stands instead of planting their flag.
Ohio State are champions, not loud, rude and immature punks. TTUN got a harsh and cold lesson and class on their own field and got dismissed accordingly.
Sad that they used all their fake macho tough guy energy in defending the “M” instead of their own endzones, or else they might have extending their four year reign of error.
No Conor Stallions to help them steal signs, no intimidation or bullying this time.
They lost. Period.
And of course, Brutus etching script “Ohio” and X’ing out the M In Xichigan in the end zone was a chef’s kiss troll that would have made Gordon Ramsey proud.
And now, they get to see their hated rivals go to Indy, and possibly run the table, and not only become the first 16-0 team in history, but also the first back/back national champion from the Big Ten.
Success is truly the best revenge served cold.
Bon appetite, M! 😘🤌🏾