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12) OSU 39, Penn State 38 2017
"JAY. TEE. BARRETT"
Don't know how I watched football before Gus Johnson. Dude is the best.
PSU went from "we still haven't recovered from the Sandusky fallout" to "are we better than Ohio State" in one returned blocked FG in 2016. They went on to win the B1G, but were left out of the playoff in favor of OSU. PSU were fans were mad and assumed it was a conspiracy, despite OSU having a better record and better wins (also, Michigan destroyed PSU that year and also had 2 losses, but were behind PSU. They had a gripe.) They started the year at #6 and were up to #2 by kickoff. Their best win was the previous week, a 29 point win over #19 Michigan. They were lead by Saqoun Barkley.
OSU started the year ranked #2 behind Alabama. They lost at home to Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma in week 2. They had destroyed everyone since then, but only Army was a bowl team of that lot. They still were back to #6 by kickoff.
The first half was a comedy of bad special teams, turnovers and questionable calls that nearly sunk OSU. Barkley returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a TD. On their 3rd offensive play, Paris Campbell fumbled and Koa Farmer returned it to the OSU 23. 5 plays later, McSorely found Dasean Hamilton for a 13 yard score and PSU was up 14-0 in under 4 minutes. OSU lost 5 yards on their next drive and punted. Things looked bleak.
OSU then found some life. They forced a punt and a penalty on the return put them at their own 42. Barrett kept on a read option to pick up 18 on 3rd and 1. OSU eventually settled for a FG. They then forced a 3 and out and a good punt return put them at their own 46. A 21 yard run by Dobbins on 3rd and 4 got them into FG territory. However, OSU opted to go for a 4th and 8 and came up short.
Penn State made OSU pay. A PI call got them to the 36, when Barkley did the rest of the work on the next play, and it was 21-3. OSU answered. A 36 yard pass to Austin Mack on a throwback got OSU in the redzone. 2 plays later, Barrett found Terry McLaurin for a 14 yard TD.
Then the refs got involved.
A pooch kick was returned by Farmer to the OSU 23 (kickoff coverage was a problem all year). OSU forced a 3rd and 8. McSorely threw a pick that was overturned by a brutally bad PI call. PSU scored on the next play and PSU regained their 18 point lead. JT Barrett answered with his legs. He had 4 carries for 40 yards on the drive, including a 23 yarder on 3rd and 1. OSU benefitted from a much more reasonable PI call in the endzone. Weber scored from 2 yards away and it was a ballgame again.
Penn State threatened on their next drive but punted from inside the OSU 40. Neither team scored before half and PSU lead 28-17. OSU had allowed a return TD, two drives to start inside their 30 due to a turnover and another return, and had a TD saving INT taken away on a bad call. They were fortunate to be down only 11.
Barrett hit KJ Hill for 24 yards to start the 2nd half. After that, OSU slowly moved down to the the redzone. On 3rd and 12, Barrett threw a fade. Hill was interfered with in the endzone, but drew no flag. OSU settled for a FG and were within 8, but inconsistent PI calls had cost them up to 11 points.
And the refs weren't done. PSU drove to the OSU 37. McSorely was picked off by Denzel Ward in the endzone. Despite inconclusive evidence, the refs overturned the pick into a TD and a 35-20 PSU lead. On the next drive, the refs incorrectly called a Ben Victor catch and run a fumble, which cost OSU 15 yards. They also called a hold on a 20 yard pass play. Things got worse early in the 4th when a promising OSU drive ended on a botched handoff. Any momentum they got was snuffed out by the refs, which, when coupled with their own self inflicted wounds, made it feel like OSU had no chance.
However, the defense forced a 3 and out andDenzel Ward blocked the punt. OSU took over at the 41.
And then JT Barrett happened.
OSU scored in 2 plays: A 3 yard pass to Weber and a 38 yard pass to Johnnie Dixon. Running total: 2 for 2, 41 yards, 1 TD.
OSU's defense then almost broke. McSorely had a 22 yard run. He found Mike Gesicki on a 3rd and 12 for 22 yards. A 21 yard pass got PSU to the 7. OSU then stiffened for forced a FG. PSU lead by 11 with 5:47 left.
OSU answered in 6 plays. Barrett completed 5 passes, 2 to Mack, 1 to Hill and 1 to Marcus Baugh (and a PI) before another TD pass to Dixon. Running total: 7 for 7, 97 yards, 2 TDs. OSU went for 2 and failed, and now trailed 38-33.
OSU's defense then smelled blood. Good kickoff coverage put PSU at the 15. On first down, PSU ran a read option. Before McSorely could decide whether to hand it to Barkley, Sam Hubbard tackled them both for a big loss. PSU ran Barkley twice more and had to punt from their own 11. Hill returned it to the OSU 42.
On first down, Barrett ran for 2. He then found McLaurin for 20 as he was hit. He found Hill for 6 on a rollout, then Hill for 14 more on a crossing pattern, setting up 1st down at the PSU 16. Then this:
Running total: 11 for 11, 153 yards, 3 TD in the 4th quarter. Against the #2 team in country. To help erase a 25 pt deficit.
It wasn't over. OSU squibbed the kickoff an PSU fell on it on the 41. OSU's DLine took over. On 1st down, McSorely threw inaccurately while being flushed. On 2nd, he was sacked by Jalyn Holmes. On 3rd, he overthrew Gesicki, who was double covered. On 4th down, he had to scramble and again threw high to Gesicki, turning it over on downs.
There was still 1:22 left and PSU had 2 timeouts. Barrett fittingly ended it, but this time with his legs. He ran for 4 yards, then for 8 and the clinching first down. He knelt on it twice and that ended the game.
Barrett ended up 33/39 for 338 and 4 TDs, plus 95 yards rushing on 17 carries. Barkley was held to 67 yards on 25 touches. For the game, OSU outgained PSU 529 to 283. They needed it all to overcome the bad kickoff coverage, turnovers and spotty reffing.
JT Barrett's legacy is a bit complicated. On one hand, he re-wrote a lot of the OSU and B1G record books. But many will say that was due to longevity and the system/talent he played with. He was an integral part of the 2014 Championship team, but got shutout in the only CFP game he played. He's the winningest QB in OSU history, but was also the QB the only 2 times a Meyer team didn't win their division.
But he was undeniably spectacular in this game, especially in the 4th quarter. Take a bow, JT.
This game likely had a hangover affect. Penn State lost by 3 at Sparty the following week, while OSU got lambasted in Iowa City. Both teams recovered to win out. Penn State beat Pac12 runner up Washington in the Fiesta Bowl and finished #8. OSU looked poised to make the CFP as a 2 loss team until Alabama lost to Auburn. Heading into the B1G Championship, CFP chairman Kirby Holcutt said the separation between Bama and OSU was not that big. OSU beat 12-0 and #3 Wisconsin while Bama was idle. When Bama got the nod over OSU, Holcutt said Bama was clearly ahead of OSU. I don't know how beating #3 on a neutral field is worse than not playing, but that's CFP logic for you.
OSU went on to beat Pac 12 champ USC in the Cotton Bowl since the Rose was a CFP semifinal. Unlike the previous when OSU was jumped for losing in the playoff, OSU jumped nobody in the polls. Just baffling inconsistencies sometimes.
11) OSU 62, Michigan 39 2018
This game is proof that OSU fans only suffer from 1st world problems.
After the snub of 2017, OSU had to replace 7 NFL draft picks plus JT Barrett. Dwayne Haskins had come in and won Michigan game in 2017 after Barrett was hurt, so they felt good at QB. OSU was ranked #5 in the preseason.
Unfortunately, the preseason sucked. WR coach Zack Smith was arrested. It came to light that he had been accused of domestic violence. It was a sordid tale that involved Tom Herman in a strip club and dildos being delivered to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The end result was Smith being fired (and replaced by Brain Hartline, maybe the most fortuitous firing in OSU history) and Urban Meyer (and AD Gene Smith) being suspended for 3 games.
OSU won the 3 games, including over then #15 TCU in Dallas. Meyer returned 1 week prior to the win over PSU (see game #16). However, the season then threatened to derail. OSU struggled to beat Minnesota and Indiana. They got blasted by a 6-6 Purdue team. They beat a 4-8 Nebraska team by 5 at home. They beat #24 Michigan by 18 on the road....and dropped in the polls. They needed OT to beat 5-7 Maryland. The defense was the main culprit. They gave up 31 to a bad Oregon State team, 31 to Nebraska and 51 to Maryland. They were among the leaders in most penalties. Star DE Nick Bosa was lost for the year after 3 games. Haskins had a great year throwing, but he wasn't a running threat. OSU couldn't run the ball and was terrible in the redzone. OSU was 10-1 and ranked 10th in all polls. For 90% of CFB that's a dream season. For OSU, it was a nightmare.
Michigan, on the other hand, came in riding high. They opened the year #14, and lost by 7 to #7 Notre Dame. After blowout wins over WMU, SMU and Nebraska, they fell behind NW (who had already lost to Akron and Duke) 17-0. They rallied for a 20-17 win and that sparked a revival. In 2017, Michigan had lost to Wisconsin, MSU, and Penn State, as well as OSU. They faced the non-OSU trio in consecutive games (with a bye sandwiched in). They won by scores of 38-13, 21-7 and 42-7 respectively. The season was dubbed "the revenge tour" with 3 of their losses avenged. They killed Rutgers and struggled a bit with Indiana, but came into Columbus 10-1 and #4. A win over OSU and a B1G Championship and Michigan was surely in the CFP.
No one expected OSU to win, except @NorthCoastBias . This was Michigan's year. They were playing with purpose and had a catchy slogan. They had blown out teams like Maryland, Nebraska and PSU, who OSU had only beaten by a combined 7 points. Michigan's defense was at or near the top in every major statistical category. This was their time. They were favored over a good OSU team for the first time since 2003.
OSU started out well. They forced a 3 and out and returned the punt to their own 43. Then, their offense showed what would become a theme. Michigan ran almost exclusively man coverage and often brought pressure. OSU counted on the speed of their receivers to beat man. The often did this with a bunch of crossing routes. Haskins hit Campbell for 16 on a crossing route, then found Demario McCall for 11. On 3rd down, he found Chris Olave for 24 yards and a score on a crossing route. Olave was the lowest ranked true frosh on the roster and had 5 catches all year. OSU lead, 7-0.
Then, Michigan seemed to find their footing. Two methodical drives (10 and 12 plays) led to FGs and both preceeded OSU 3 and outs. After the 2nd 3 and out, Michigan started their drive at midfield, poised to take a lead. They lined up to go for a 4th and 2, but jumped offsides and had to punt. OSU got a couple first downs, including Terry McLaurin dragging tacklers for a first, which promted a few fist pumps from Meyer. After Victor dropped a wide open big play opportunity, OSU went back to a crossing route for 27 yards to Hill. 2 plays later, Haskins found Olave down the sideline for his 2nd TD of the half.
Michigan then managed 1 first down before punting. On the second play of the drive, Haskins scrambled, slid, and Michigan committed a pretty clear targeting foul. However, it wasn't called and Meyer was flagged 15 for protesting too much. OSU got a first down on PI call. Then a screen to Campbell netted 33 and got OSU into Michigan territory. 3 plays later, a busted coverage left Johnnie Dixon wide open in the endzone for a 31 yard TD and a 21-6 lead with 3:18 left in the half. OSU was rolling.
Then Michigan stormed back. A PI got Michigan into OSU territory. A 15 yard Shea Patterson scramble got them to the 23. Then Patterson found Nico Collins for a TD with with 47 seconds left. Demario McCall then muffed the kickoff, which Michigan recovered and turned into a TD one play later on a pass to Chris Evans. UM went for 2 and failed, but after OSU had thoroughly outplayed Michigan, they only lead by 2. OSU quickly used 2 penalties and a 33 yard wheel route to McCall to set up a 1st and goal. However, despite bringing in Tate Martell for a play, OSU settled for a FG. OSU lead 24-19, but probably felt they should be up more.
OSU was forced punt on their first possession of the second half. Michigan started a drive at their own 20 with a chance to take the lead. However, OSU forced a 3 and out and got it back in good field position. After 4 Dobbins runs, a Campbell crossing route got 33 yards down to the 4. Martell came in again, and again failed to score a TD. OSU settled for a FG and a 27-19 lead.
A lot of OSU flaws were rearing their ugly heads. The defense had actually played pretty well, but OSU had committed a ton of penalties and had twice failed to score from inside the 5, not to mention the muffed kickoff. If the defense was about to break, then OSU was gonna be in trouble.
Little did we know, OSU was just getting started. Michigan inadvertently stepped out of bounds at their own 8 on the kickoff. They gained 2 first downs, but Patterson missed an open receiver on 3rd and 8 and were forced to punt. Chris Olave, having a game of games for a true frosh, blocked the punt. It popped straight up, and Sevyn Banks plucked it out of the air and raced in for a TD. The stadium exploded.
On the ensuing drive, Michigan faced a 3rd and 12. Patterson was hit as he threw, and Jordan Fuller picked it off at the 22. Another crossing route to Hill got them to the 2. This time, Haskins ran an option and pitched to Mike Weber for an easy score. In about 13 plays, OSU had scored 17 points and went up by 22.
Michigan's offense finally found itself. A 20 yard pass to future Brown Donovan Peoples-Jones and another PI set up a 12 yard Nico Collins TD. Perhaps Michigan had life?
In one play, Campbell was gone and OSU was up by 22 again.
Michigan's next drive featured 2 different 15 yard OSU penalties and a 24 yard Kareem Higdon run. Patterson got knocked out, so backup Joe Milton entered. Michigan scored on a 1 yard FB run. However, Michigan's defense was done. OSU scored in 6 plays, with 64 yards coming via the ground and a facemask. Haskins found KJ Hill on a one yardpick rub. Hill mimicked Troy Smith on his TD celebration.
Miton threw a pick on his first pass attempt. 3 plays later, Haskins found Campbell again for a 16 yard score, and OSU lead 62-27. Michigan added a TD and tried an onside kick that failed. A few Weber runs got OSU to the 9, but Meyer knelt the final second away. Part wishes he tried to score and go for 2, ala Woody, since I am pretty sure he knew he wasn't coming back.
Here's the biggest puzzler about that game. Michigan was favored, in part because they were good, but also because OSU had shown some fatal flaws. You'd think that in order for OSU to win going away, that OSU would've cured those flaws for at least this game. But they didn't.
- The defense still gave up 39 points and over 400 yards (Although you argue 6 points were special teams fault).
- They committed 12 penalties for 150 yards (UM had 7 for 72)
- They were 2 for 4 scoring TDs inside the 10, and didn't score till they were already up 15 (technically, they were 2 for 5 if you count their last kneels, which you shouldn't).
And they fumbled a kickoff that lead to an easy TD. They did win the turnover battle 2 to 1, but the game was over when they got #2. They played the same way they did when they struggled with teams all year. They just did it better in this game. So strange.
Haskins ended up with 396 yards and 6 tds. OSU did rush for 171 yards as a team, although alot came after the game was decided. Campbell has 192 yards and 2 TDs.
OSU ended up beating Northwestern in the B1G Championship. They finished 6th in the final CFP, behind Oklahoma, and inexplicably behind 2 loss non-champ Georgia. They beat Washington in the Rose Bowl (already covered) and ended up 3rd in both polls (at least they jumped some teams!). Michigan lost to Florida by 26 after a few NFL Wolverines sat out.
It was a fun game that almost no one saw coming. It's a shame they didn't play like this all year, because I would've loved to see Haskins go up vs Clemson or Bama. But we'll always have this game.
"JAY. TEE. BARRETT"
Don't know how I watched football before Gus Johnson. Dude is the best.
PSU went from "we still haven't recovered from the Sandusky fallout" to "are we better than Ohio State" in one returned blocked FG in 2016. They went on to win the B1G, but were left out of the playoff in favor of OSU. PSU were fans were mad and assumed it was a conspiracy, despite OSU having a better record and better wins (also, Michigan destroyed PSU that year and also had 2 losses, but were behind PSU. They had a gripe.) They started the year at #6 and were up to #2 by kickoff. Their best win was the previous week, a 29 point win over #19 Michigan. They were lead by Saqoun Barkley.
OSU started the year ranked #2 behind Alabama. They lost at home to Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma in week 2. They had destroyed everyone since then, but only Army was a bowl team of that lot. They still were back to #6 by kickoff.
The first half was a comedy of bad special teams, turnovers and questionable calls that nearly sunk OSU. Barkley returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a TD. On their 3rd offensive play, Paris Campbell fumbled and Koa Farmer returned it to the OSU 23. 5 plays later, McSorely found Dasean Hamilton for a 13 yard score and PSU was up 14-0 in under 4 minutes. OSU lost 5 yards on their next drive and punted. Things looked bleak.
OSU then found some life. They forced a punt and a penalty on the return put them at their own 42. Barrett kept on a read option to pick up 18 on 3rd and 1. OSU eventually settled for a FG. They then forced a 3 and out and a good punt return put them at their own 46. A 21 yard run by Dobbins on 3rd and 4 got them into FG territory. However, OSU opted to go for a 4th and 8 and came up short.
Penn State made OSU pay. A PI call got them to the 36, when Barkley did the rest of the work on the next play, and it was 21-3. OSU answered. A 36 yard pass to Austin Mack on a throwback got OSU in the redzone. 2 plays later, Barrett found Terry McLaurin for a 14 yard TD.
Then the refs got involved.
A pooch kick was returned by Farmer to the OSU 23 (kickoff coverage was a problem all year). OSU forced a 3rd and 8. McSorely threw a pick that was overturned by a brutally bad PI call. PSU scored on the next play and PSU regained their 18 point lead. JT Barrett answered with his legs. He had 4 carries for 40 yards on the drive, including a 23 yarder on 3rd and 1. OSU benefitted from a much more reasonable PI call in the endzone. Weber scored from 2 yards away and it was a ballgame again.
Penn State threatened on their next drive but punted from inside the OSU 40. Neither team scored before half and PSU lead 28-17. OSU had allowed a return TD, two drives to start inside their 30 due to a turnover and another return, and had a TD saving INT taken away on a bad call. They were fortunate to be down only 11.
Barrett hit KJ Hill for 24 yards to start the 2nd half. After that, OSU slowly moved down to the the redzone. On 3rd and 12, Barrett threw a fade. Hill was interfered with in the endzone, but drew no flag. OSU settled for a FG and were within 8, but inconsistent PI calls had cost them up to 11 points.
And the refs weren't done. PSU drove to the OSU 37. McSorely was picked off by Denzel Ward in the endzone. Despite inconclusive evidence, the refs overturned the pick into a TD and a 35-20 PSU lead. On the next drive, the refs incorrectly called a Ben Victor catch and run a fumble, which cost OSU 15 yards. They also called a hold on a 20 yard pass play. Things got worse early in the 4th when a promising OSU drive ended on a botched handoff. Any momentum they got was snuffed out by the refs, which, when coupled with their own self inflicted wounds, made it feel like OSU had no chance.
However, the defense forced a 3 and out andDenzel Ward blocked the punt. OSU took over at the 41.
And then JT Barrett happened.
OSU scored in 2 plays: A 3 yard pass to Weber and a 38 yard pass to Johnnie Dixon. Running total: 2 for 2, 41 yards, 1 TD.
OSU's defense then almost broke. McSorely had a 22 yard run. He found Mike Gesicki on a 3rd and 12 for 22 yards. A 21 yard pass got PSU to the 7. OSU then stiffened for forced a FG. PSU lead by 11 with 5:47 left.
OSU answered in 6 plays. Barrett completed 5 passes, 2 to Mack, 1 to Hill and 1 to Marcus Baugh (and a PI) before another TD pass to Dixon. Running total: 7 for 7, 97 yards, 2 TDs. OSU went for 2 and failed, and now trailed 38-33.
OSU's defense then smelled blood. Good kickoff coverage put PSU at the 15. On first down, PSU ran a read option. Before McSorely could decide whether to hand it to Barkley, Sam Hubbard tackled them both for a big loss. PSU ran Barkley twice more and had to punt from their own 11. Hill returned it to the OSU 42.
On first down, Barrett ran for 2. He then found McLaurin for 20 as he was hit. He found Hill for 6 on a rollout, then Hill for 14 more on a crossing pattern, setting up 1st down at the PSU 16. Then this:
Running total: 11 for 11, 153 yards, 3 TD in the 4th quarter. Against the #2 team in country. To help erase a 25 pt deficit.
It wasn't over. OSU squibbed the kickoff an PSU fell on it on the 41. OSU's DLine took over. On 1st down, McSorely threw inaccurately while being flushed. On 2nd, he was sacked by Jalyn Holmes. On 3rd, he overthrew Gesicki, who was double covered. On 4th down, he had to scramble and again threw high to Gesicki, turning it over on downs.
There was still 1:22 left and PSU had 2 timeouts. Barrett fittingly ended it, but this time with his legs. He ran for 4 yards, then for 8 and the clinching first down. He knelt on it twice and that ended the game.
Barrett ended up 33/39 for 338 and 4 TDs, plus 95 yards rushing on 17 carries. Barkley was held to 67 yards on 25 touches. For the game, OSU outgained PSU 529 to 283. They needed it all to overcome the bad kickoff coverage, turnovers and spotty reffing.
JT Barrett's legacy is a bit complicated. On one hand, he re-wrote a lot of the OSU and B1G record books. But many will say that was due to longevity and the system/talent he played with. He was an integral part of the 2014 Championship team, but got shutout in the only CFP game he played. He's the winningest QB in OSU history, but was also the QB the only 2 times a Meyer team didn't win their division.
But he was undeniably spectacular in this game, especially in the 4th quarter. Take a bow, JT.
This game likely had a hangover affect. Penn State lost by 3 at Sparty the following week, while OSU got lambasted in Iowa City. Both teams recovered to win out. Penn State beat Pac12 runner up Washington in the Fiesta Bowl and finished #8. OSU looked poised to make the CFP as a 2 loss team until Alabama lost to Auburn. Heading into the B1G Championship, CFP chairman Kirby Holcutt said the separation between Bama and OSU was not that big. OSU beat 12-0 and #3 Wisconsin while Bama was idle. When Bama got the nod over OSU, Holcutt said Bama was clearly ahead of OSU. I don't know how beating #3 on a neutral field is worse than not playing, but that's CFP logic for you.
OSU went on to beat Pac 12 champ USC in the Cotton Bowl since the Rose was a CFP semifinal. Unlike the previous when OSU was jumped for losing in the playoff, OSU jumped nobody in the polls. Just baffling inconsistencies sometimes.
11) OSU 62, Michigan 39 2018
This game is proof that OSU fans only suffer from 1st world problems.
After the snub of 2017, OSU had to replace 7 NFL draft picks plus JT Barrett. Dwayne Haskins had come in and won Michigan game in 2017 after Barrett was hurt, so they felt good at QB. OSU was ranked #5 in the preseason.
Unfortunately, the preseason sucked. WR coach Zack Smith was arrested. It came to light that he had been accused of domestic violence. It was a sordid tale that involved Tom Herman in a strip club and dildos being delivered to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The end result was Smith being fired (and replaced by Brain Hartline, maybe the most fortuitous firing in OSU history) and Urban Meyer (and AD Gene Smith) being suspended for 3 games.
OSU won the 3 games, including over then #15 TCU in Dallas. Meyer returned 1 week prior to the win over PSU (see game #16). However, the season then threatened to derail. OSU struggled to beat Minnesota and Indiana. They got blasted by a 6-6 Purdue team. They beat a 4-8 Nebraska team by 5 at home. They beat #24 Michigan by 18 on the road....and dropped in the polls. They needed OT to beat 5-7 Maryland. The defense was the main culprit. They gave up 31 to a bad Oregon State team, 31 to Nebraska and 51 to Maryland. They were among the leaders in most penalties. Star DE Nick Bosa was lost for the year after 3 games. Haskins had a great year throwing, but he wasn't a running threat. OSU couldn't run the ball and was terrible in the redzone. OSU was 10-1 and ranked 10th in all polls. For 90% of CFB that's a dream season. For OSU, it was a nightmare.
Michigan, on the other hand, came in riding high. They opened the year #14, and lost by 7 to #7 Notre Dame. After blowout wins over WMU, SMU and Nebraska, they fell behind NW (who had already lost to Akron and Duke) 17-0. They rallied for a 20-17 win and that sparked a revival. In 2017, Michigan had lost to Wisconsin, MSU, and Penn State, as well as OSU. They faced the non-OSU trio in consecutive games (with a bye sandwiched in). They won by scores of 38-13, 21-7 and 42-7 respectively. The season was dubbed "the revenge tour" with 3 of their losses avenged. They killed Rutgers and struggled a bit with Indiana, but came into Columbus 10-1 and #4. A win over OSU and a B1G Championship and Michigan was surely in the CFP.
No one expected OSU to win, except @NorthCoastBias . This was Michigan's year. They were playing with purpose and had a catchy slogan. They had blown out teams like Maryland, Nebraska and PSU, who OSU had only beaten by a combined 7 points. Michigan's defense was at or near the top in every major statistical category. This was their time. They were favored over a good OSU team for the first time since 2003.
OSU started out well. They forced a 3 and out and returned the punt to their own 43. Then, their offense showed what would become a theme. Michigan ran almost exclusively man coverage and often brought pressure. OSU counted on the speed of their receivers to beat man. The often did this with a bunch of crossing routes. Haskins hit Campbell for 16 on a crossing route, then found Demario McCall for 11. On 3rd down, he found Chris Olave for 24 yards and a score on a crossing route. Olave was the lowest ranked true frosh on the roster and had 5 catches all year. OSU lead, 7-0.
Then, Michigan seemed to find their footing. Two methodical drives (10 and 12 plays) led to FGs and both preceeded OSU 3 and outs. After the 2nd 3 and out, Michigan started their drive at midfield, poised to take a lead. They lined up to go for a 4th and 2, but jumped offsides and had to punt. OSU got a couple first downs, including Terry McLaurin dragging tacklers for a first, which promted a few fist pumps from Meyer. After Victor dropped a wide open big play opportunity, OSU went back to a crossing route for 27 yards to Hill. 2 plays later, Haskins found Olave down the sideline for his 2nd TD of the half.
Michigan then managed 1 first down before punting. On the second play of the drive, Haskins scrambled, slid, and Michigan committed a pretty clear targeting foul. However, it wasn't called and Meyer was flagged 15 for protesting too much. OSU got a first down on PI call. Then a screen to Campbell netted 33 and got OSU into Michigan territory. 3 plays later, a busted coverage left Johnnie Dixon wide open in the endzone for a 31 yard TD and a 21-6 lead with 3:18 left in the half. OSU was rolling.
Then Michigan stormed back. A PI got Michigan into OSU territory. A 15 yard Shea Patterson scramble got them to the 23. Then Patterson found Nico Collins for a TD with with 47 seconds left. Demario McCall then muffed the kickoff, which Michigan recovered and turned into a TD one play later on a pass to Chris Evans. UM went for 2 and failed, but after OSU had thoroughly outplayed Michigan, they only lead by 2. OSU quickly used 2 penalties and a 33 yard wheel route to McCall to set up a 1st and goal. However, despite bringing in Tate Martell for a play, OSU settled for a FG. OSU lead 24-19, but probably felt they should be up more.
OSU was forced punt on their first possession of the second half. Michigan started a drive at their own 20 with a chance to take the lead. However, OSU forced a 3 and out and got it back in good field position. After 4 Dobbins runs, a Campbell crossing route got 33 yards down to the 4. Martell came in again, and again failed to score a TD. OSU settled for a FG and a 27-19 lead.
A lot of OSU flaws were rearing their ugly heads. The defense had actually played pretty well, but OSU had committed a ton of penalties and had twice failed to score from inside the 5, not to mention the muffed kickoff. If the defense was about to break, then OSU was gonna be in trouble.
Little did we know, OSU was just getting started. Michigan inadvertently stepped out of bounds at their own 8 on the kickoff. They gained 2 first downs, but Patterson missed an open receiver on 3rd and 8 and were forced to punt. Chris Olave, having a game of games for a true frosh, blocked the punt. It popped straight up, and Sevyn Banks plucked it out of the air and raced in for a TD. The stadium exploded.
On the ensuing drive, Michigan faced a 3rd and 12. Patterson was hit as he threw, and Jordan Fuller picked it off at the 22. Another crossing route to Hill got them to the 2. This time, Haskins ran an option and pitched to Mike Weber for an easy score. In about 13 plays, OSU had scored 17 points and went up by 22.
Michigan's offense finally found itself. A 20 yard pass to future Brown Donovan Peoples-Jones and another PI set up a 12 yard Nico Collins TD. Perhaps Michigan had life?
In one play, Campbell was gone and OSU was up by 22 again.
Michigan's next drive featured 2 different 15 yard OSU penalties and a 24 yard Kareem Higdon run. Patterson got knocked out, so backup Joe Milton entered. Michigan scored on a 1 yard FB run. However, Michigan's defense was done. OSU scored in 6 plays, with 64 yards coming via the ground and a facemask. Haskins found KJ Hill on a one yard
Miton threw a pick on his first pass attempt. 3 plays later, Haskins found Campbell again for a 16 yard score, and OSU lead 62-27. Michigan added a TD and tried an onside kick that failed. A few Weber runs got OSU to the 9, but Meyer knelt the final second away. Part wishes he tried to score and go for 2, ala Woody, since I am pretty sure he knew he wasn't coming back.
Here's the biggest puzzler about that game. Michigan was favored, in part because they were good, but also because OSU had shown some fatal flaws. You'd think that in order for OSU to win going away, that OSU would've cured those flaws for at least this game. But they didn't.
- The defense still gave up 39 points and over 400 yards (Although you argue 6 points were special teams fault).
- They committed 12 penalties for 150 yards (UM had 7 for 72)
- They were 2 for 4 scoring TDs inside the 10, and didn't score till they were already up 15 (technically, they were 2 for 5 if you count their last kneels, which you shouldn't).
And they fumbled a kickoff that lead to an easy TD. They did win the turnover battle 2 to 1, but the game was over when they got #2. They played the same way they did when they struggled with teams all year. They just did it better in this game. So strange.
Haskins ended up with 396 yards and 6 tds. OSU did rush for 171 yards as a team, although alot came after the game was decided. Campbell has 192 yards and 2 TDs.
OSU ended up beating Northwestern in the B1G Championship. They finished 6th in the final CFP, behind Oklahoma, and inexplicably behind 2 loss non-champ Georgia. They beat Washington in the Rose Bowl (already covered) and ended up 3rd in both polls (at least they jumped some teams!). Michigan lost to Florida by 26 after a few NFL Wolverines sat out.
It was a fun game that almost no one saw coming. It's a shame they didn't play like this all year, because I would've loved to see Haskins go up vs Clemson or Bama. But we'll always have this game.