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I opened up my iTunes (I know it’s called Apple Music now but iTunes sounds better) after getting back to the press box at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, and the first suggestion was to listen to a new song by Turnpike Troubadours called, “Just Like Old Times.”
That seemed appropriate enough after the way Ohio State beat Michigan to end a four-year stretch of misery in the series.
The Buckeyes’ 27-9 win over the Wolverines had just about everything, didn’t it?
Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate both caught long touchdown passes.
Bo Jackson ran for 117 yards.
Julian Sayin overcame an interception to end up having a very efficient day.
Michigan ran for 100 yards, including 64 after the first play.
Bryce Underwood completed eight passes for 63 yards.
It snowed.
Michigan played that awful “Mr. Brightside” song then the fans got to go home early.
Sherrone Moore quit with more than six minutes left.
Ryan Day got to celebrate with his team in the Michigan locker room for the first time since 2019 — you know, back when these things were more typical.
Just like old times?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but that was something.
(More after the ad break)
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A lot of what happened I figured should happen even if logic is rarely welcome around these parts for this game.
I didn’t think Michigan would be able to cover Ohio State’s receivers if they were healthy.
I didn’t think Michigan would be able to do much offensively against that defense.
The first few plays didn’t look good as Ohio State gave up an explosive run on defense then Sayin targeted not one but both of his star receivers to start the game and came away 0/1 with an interception.
Uh, yeah, not great.
They also got stuffed at the goal line early and had to settle for a field goal in the first quarter.
That type of thing always seems to come back to haunt you in this type of game, right?
Not this time.
Ohio State was just too dominant — Just like old times.
That the Buckeyes won the ground game comfortably is beyond hilarious since much of the narrative from the past year-plus centered on Day being too concerned with that stat.
The way this one played out showed why it can be deceiving, too. Sometimes establishing the run leads directly to winning, but often it is more about taking control of the game with a balanced attack and then using the run to finish it off.
That was the obvious path to victory for Ohio State, and it ended up being the one Ryan Day had his players follow.
Nonetheless, that 20-play drive that took up nearly 12 minutes over the end of the third quarter and into the fourth was a thing of beauty. It wasn’t perfect because they did not finish with a touchdown, but the three points still put the game out of reach.
I can’t remember the last time I saw Ohio State do something like that to an opponent, let alone Michigan.
The variety of the running game, including being stubborn with the gap runs, was also very valuable. All those reps they put in during the first 11 games? Yeah, those came in pretty handy, didn’t they?
One question I had was if Michigan had another gear. It seemed doubtful, but sometimes The Game brings out the best in people. Perhaps there was something they could tap into if they really needed it, out of desperation if nothing else?
Nope.
We can only assume the Michigan coaching staff did not ask more of Bryce Underwood because he just can’t do it at this point in his career. Perhaps that will be different next year, but we’ll worry about that in 360-some days.
Saturday was about the present, and of course, the past.
These games are always about the past, which is why we can’t get enough of them.