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

Ohio State could still be selected for the CFP

It's an awful loss, sure, but the Buckeyes are still 10-2 with two resume wins (at Penn State, vs. Indiana), and their other loss is easily forgivable (at Oregon). Plus, it's not like the rest of the teams competing for a playoff spot have been playing incredible football.

At the end of the day, while Ohio State won't get to play for a Big Ten title and revenge against Oregon next week, my gut feeling is that the only thing this loss will ultimately cost the Buckeyes is a potential home game in the first round. And they could still get one of those depending on how things shake out elsewhere.

Postgame fight was unfortunate, and probably inevitable

I'm not going to make excuses for the fight after the game; there simply isn't one. Still, while it shouldn't have happened, it's easy to understand why it did.

How could you not be ticked off if you're Ohio State after that? Your coaches and your offense let you down in a pivotal spot, but you're not going to go into the locker room and fight them. So when you see Michigan celebrating and planting the flag at midfield, you see somewhere to let out your frustrations.

It's a horrible look for Ohio State, and it's a horrible look for Ryan Day who stood there and watched it happen.

The Ohio State defense was incredible

I genuinely feel bad for the Buckeyes' defense after that performance. That's a unit that deserved to win the game. They kept the Michigan offense in check for nearly the entire game, forced multiple turnovers and were the best unit on the field by far.

Yet their offense let them down.

After forcing a turnover on downs at the goal line in the first quarter, Will Howard threw a bad interception to give the Wolverines the ball at the 2-yard line. After allowing that touchdown, the Buckeyes defense allowed only 21 yards on Michigan's next five possessions.

Then, when things started to turn and the Michigan offense began clicking, Jack Sawyer saved the day with an interception at the goal line. He and the rest of the defense were rewarded with another three-and-out that gave Michigan excellent field position and led to the game-winning field goal.

No wonder there was a fight after the game.

This win heals a lot of wounds for Michigan

There will be a lot more discussion about what this loss means to Ohio State than what the win means for Michigan, but that doesn't mean the win doesn't mean a lot for the Wolverines. The 2024 season has been a very rough one for the program. Even if the situation is understandable, it's hard to go from a national title last season to what the Wolverines have put on the field in 2024.

But sometimes, luckily for us all, humans have short attention spans and recency bias is a hell of a drug.

The last month has seen Michigan land its QB of the future in Bryce Underwood, put up 50 points on Northwestern, and then pull off a stunning upset of Ohio State in a game Michigan had no right to win. Make no mistake, Michigan stole this one, and the Wolverines don't owe anybody an apology for doing so.

Seriously, the Wolverines had two red zone turnovers, threw for only 62 yards, averaged only 4 yards per play ... and they won the game. Against the No. 2 team in the country on the road!

This falls firmly on the shoulders of Ryan Day

I don't know what it is, but Ryan Day becomes an absolute deer-in-headlights the moment he sees a Michigan uniform in front of him. I wrote earlier this week about what a fantastic job Day and the Buckeyes have done this year to put the past three seasons behind them. Well, Day threw away all of that goodwill in this game.

Instead of doing what it took to win the football game, Ryan Day chose to try and make a point instead. He wanted to show the world how tough his football team is. He wanted to show that after his team lost a fist fight each of the last three years, they would win it this time.

Only they couldn't, and it was evident early that would be the case.

Ohio State's offensive line has been decimated by injuries this season and has struggled to run the ball because of it. Say what you want about Michigan's struggles as a team in 2024, but defensively, the Wolverines still boast one of the best front sevens in the country.

Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly tried to run through it repeatedly. They failed ... repeatedly.

The Buckeyes managed only 77 yards rushing on 26 carries, and that's with 17 of them coming on a pitch to Quinshon Judkins on the perimeter. The Buckeyes also had a 15-yard run with Judkins out of shotgun that went to the perimeter as well. That means it was 55 yards on their other 24 carries, too many of which were designed to get between the tackles of an offensive line that could not get any push against the Michigan defense.

As if that wasn't poor enough, Day botched the clock at the end of the game. With Michigan driving in the final minutes, he didn't use his timeouts ahead of the two minute timeout, which would've left his team with far more time to get themselves in field goal (or touchdown) range if needed. Then, after a timeout, the Buckeyes were called for an illegal substitution penalty on third down that gave the Wolverines a first down and allowed them to run the clock down to 48 seconds before kicking what turned out to be the game-winning field goal.

As a result, Ohio State is 10-2 and could still find itself chosen for the College Football Playoff. Yet, despite of all that, you can't help but wonder if there's a chance it won't be Day coaching them in the playoff if they do get there.

FINAL: Michigan 13, Ohio State 10

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. 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 potential certainty 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, as 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, forced Ohio State to burn through its remaining timeouts and then 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.

Michigan leads with under a minute to go

Q4: Michigan 13, Ohio State 10

The Wolverines with the biggest field goal drive of their season go 57 yards in 10 plays to set up Dominic Zvada's 20-yard field goal to take a 13-10 lead with 45 seconds to go.

Ohio State has no timeouts.

Ohio State just gave Michigan a 1st down

Illegal sub following a timeout. Just an epic failure.

Michigan is in the red zone

Kalel Mullings breaks a tackle in the backfield and takes off for 27 yards down to the 15 on third-and-6. Huge play. The Wolverines are in field goal range and can melt clock.

Michigan defense forces a punt

Q4: Michigan 10, Ohio State 10

Well, we've had three red zone interceptions today, and we've had two three-and-outs after them now. Ohio State can't get a first down as Will Howard's third down scramble coems up short and Michigan gets the ball back at its 40 following a punt.

There is 6:13 left to play. Can either one of these teams win this game?

This game in a nutshell

Jack Sawyer saves the day for Ohio State

Davis Warren fakes a handoff, rolls to his left and throws a horrible pass to a wide open receiver in the end zone that is picked off by OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE END JACK SAWYER OF ALL PEOPLE.

My goodness. Do either of these teams want to win this game?

Big review here

Q4: Michigan 10, Ohio State 10

Michigan was awarded a 1st down on a Kalel Mullings run on third-and-1, but from what I can see, he was short. Whether or not there's conclusive evidence remains to be seen. It'll either be a first down at the 3 for Michigan, or a huge fourth down decision.

UPDATE: Call stands. 1st down.

Michigan needed this

Who wants it?

End 3: Michigan 10, Ohio State 10

Things are far more interesting at Ohio Stadium than most anticipated.

To be blunt, Ohio State refuses to take control. Defensively, the Buckeyes have dominated Michigan for nearly the entirety of the game, but the Ohio State offense has shot itself in the foot repeatedly.

Will Howard has thrown two interceptions. Ohio State has missed two field goals. And, for whatever reason, Ohio State keeps trying to run the ball between the tackles, even though it's painfully clear that's a losing strategy. The Buckeyes are averaging 2.8 yards per carry and their biggest runs of the day have been getting Quinshon Judkins to the perimeter. All it's done to this point is allow Michigan to hang around and give the Wolverines a chance to pull off a stunning upset.

Will they? It remains to be seen. Michigan is averaging only 3.7 yards per play and is getting nothing in the passing game. But there are 15 minutes left in a tie game and anything is possible. Buckle up.

Michigan has picked up a 1st down

It's the first time in the second half. Pop the champagne.

I do not understand what Ohio State is doing

Q3: Ohio State 10, Michigan 10

Ohio State refuses to win this game. I don't know if Ryan Day is lost in his head or what, but the Buckeyes are making a lot of head-scratching decisions. For whatever reason, Ohio State refuses to accept the fact that it's unable to beat Michigan between the tackles. It keeps trying and it continues to fail far more often than not.

After failing following the interception the Buckeyes attempt another field goal.

It's no good.

We're still tied. Somehow.

And now Davis Warren has thrown an interception

Michigan's passing offense remains an absolute mess, and this time it results in a turnover. Davis Warren throws off his back foot when pressured and misses his target by a wide mile, but manages to hit Ohio State's Caleb Downs.

Ohio State's ball at the Michigan 16.

Will Howard picked off again

Earlier in the game Michigan's Makari Paige leveled Will Howard with a hit that knocked him out of the game briefly. Now Paige picked Howard off in the red zone to end an Ohio State drive. Safe to say Will Howard does not like Makari Paige.

As for Michigan, that's a huge turnover, because the Wolverines aren't going to win the game without forcing them. They're still pinned inside their own 10-yard line and need to figure out a way to put together a long drive here. Trading punts with the Buckeyes won't work for long.

Ohio State forces the three and out

Michigan couldn't get out of its own end zone, though it had a chance. Davis Warren had Hogan Hansen wide open after rolling out on third down but missed the throw badly. Just close your eyes and dream of Bryce Underwood, Michigan fans.

Ohio State gets the ball back at the UM 47 following the punt.

Will Howard lucky not to be picked off

Q3: Ohio State 10, Michigan 10

Ohio State's offense goes 56 yards in 10 plays on its first possession of the 2nd half, but it bgan the possession buried inside the 10-yard line. A 24-yard screen pass to TreVeyon Henderson got the Buckeyes into Michigan territory, but Will Howard is pressured on third down and throws a dangerous pass while hopping off his back foot behind Emeka Egbuka. There were roughly three too many Wolverines in the area for Ryan Day's liking.

A Joe McGuire punt pins Michigan at its 2-yard line to start.

Not ideal start for Ohio State 

Ohio State can't stop hurting. The Buckeyes received the opening kickoff in the second half, but it appeared as if return man TreVeyon Henderson lost the ball in the sun. He allowed it to hop on the field once and then had to scramble to jump on it before Michigan's kick unit could get down the field. Henderson was able to recover the lose ball on Ohio State's 6-yard line, which puts the Buckeyes deep in their own territory. 

Michigan and Ohio State knotted up at half 

Half: No. 2 Ohio State 10, Michigan 10 

No. 2 Ohio State and Michigan are all tied up 10-10 as The Game heads to halftime. The Buckeyes embarked on a 9-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Will Howard and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith with less than a minute left on the clock to take momentum into halftime. 

Even with Ohio State's perfectly executed 2-minute drill near the end of the second quarter, the Buckeyes did just about everything they could in the first half to keep Michigan in this game. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard threw a crucial interception with his back to the own goal line early in the second quarter, allowing Michigan to score a 2-yard rushing touchdown just a couple of plays later. 

On its ensuing drive, Ohio State worked the ball all the way to Michigan's 20-yard line in 10 plays before a once-promising drive stalled and ended in a 38-yard field goal. The Buckeyes even had a 31-yard punt deep in their own territory that gifted Michigan a 54-yard field goal and a 10-3 halftime lead. 

Michigan scored all 10 of its first half points on drives that began in Ohio State territory. Otherwise, the Wolverines had two drives end in a punt and one end with a failed fourth-down conversion on Ohio State's 3-yard line. 

Ohio State does get the ball to start the second half, so it has a prime chance to retake the lead with the home crowd on its side. 

Ohio State ties it up 

Late 2Q: No. 2 Ohio State 10, Michigan 10 

Momentum, Buckeyes. Ohio State decided to air the ball out on a crucial drive near the end of the first half and it paid off. The Buckeyes worked the ball deep into Michigan territory, thanks in part to a defensive pass interference flag thrown against Wolverine defensive back Jyaire Hill, with a potent air attack. Then quarterback Will Howard hit a wide-open Jeremiah Smith for an easy 10-yard touchdown to draw Ohio State even. The Buckeyes sorely needed to flip the game after allowing 10 unanswered points against Michigan. 

Michigan extends its lead

Late 2Q: Michigan 10, No. 2 Ohio State 3 

Kicker Dominic Zvada has been Michigan's offensive MVP all season. He just helped the Wolverines expand their lead with a huge 54 yard field goal with just over two minutes left in the first half. That now makes it two straight games where Zvada has nailed a field goal of at least 50 yards. 

Another bad sequence for the Buckeyes 

A good Michigan punt pinned Ohio State inside its own 10-yard line. The Buckeyes gained a net of one yard -- running back TreVeyon Henderson was corralled for a loss of one on third-and-8 on the next three plays and then had to punt the ball away for the first time all game. It was not a good punt. Joe McGuire's kick was fielded at Ohio State's 39-yard line after traveling just 31 yards. 

Ohio State's defense forces a three and out

The Buckeyes needed a boost following the missed field goal, and the defense got one. Michigan goes nowhere after getting the ball back and is forced to punt after three plays.

Michigan does flip the field with a 68-yard bomb to set Ohio State up at its 7-yard line.

Ohio State stalls in red zone again

Q2: Michigan 7, Ohio State 3

Same story as Ohio State's opening drive, but with a Will Howard injury and some personal fouls thrown in. Oh, and this time Ohio State missed the field goal after stalling in the red zone.

It was a 10-play, 55-yard drive that saw Michigan hold firm in the red zone and stuff the Ohio State ground game. That has been the theme today. Ohio State's had success getting Quinshon Judkins to the perimeter on option runs, but for the most part, Michigan is taking the run game away.

What's more impressive is the Wolverines have limited the big plays in the passing game too. Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have combined for 3 catches for 31 yards, and are having a tough time getting open.

Will Howard has returned to the game