{"id":83204,"date":"2025-11-29T15:52:34","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T20:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=83204"},"modified":"2025-11-29T15:52:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T20:52:34","slug":"ohio-state-dominates-michigan-by-playing-ohio-state-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2025\/11\/29\/ohio-state-dominates-michigan-by-playing-ohio-state-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Ohio State Dominates Michigan By Playing Ohio State Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Has Ryan Day learned his lesson from last year?” Of the many questions heading into The Game, by far the biggest game in either the Buckeye or Wolverine states, the question that was repeated ad nauseam was\u00a0whether Day learned<\/a> from last year’s disastrous home loss to<\/span>\u00a0Michigan. It started off rough, and the old Day may have pivoted his game plan. However, he and the Buckeyes stuck with doing what works for them. As a result, Ohio State finally beats Michigan…and wins the rushing battle!<\/p>\n

The whole “the team that wins the rushing battle wins The Game” trope has been held over Ohio State’s head for years. Yeah, if you play a fairly balanced game, you end up running the ball more than your opponent. As it is, the Buckeyes played their game and overwhelmed Michigan, effectively ending any long-shot hope Michigan had to spoil the College Football Playoff<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Oh, how sweet it is.<\/p>\n

Ohio State Finally Beats Michigan<\/h2>\n

Play Your Game<\/h3>\n

We will get to the defense later. Realistically, the best defense in football warrants its own article, but this will be a pared-down approach.<\/p>\n

The Day and Brian Hartline-led offense knew what it had to do to win: strike early. It was obvious that trying to get chunk plays was the goal against a Michigan defense that was a bit weaker against a prolific passing attack. The first play from scrimmage was a perfect downfield shot to Carnell Tate<\/a> that warranted an incredible defensive effort from Michigan to break up. Then, Julian Sayin<\/a> and Jeremiah Smith<\/a> were not on the same page, resulting in an ugly interception.<\/p>\n

The fanbase pleaded with Day not to chicken out of the passing attack and keep it up. As a result, the Buckeyes kept it up. After that 0-for-2 start, Sayin completed 19-of-24 for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Needless to say, the California kid was not rattled.<\/p>\n

Sayin kept taking downfield shots when the defense allowed it. On fourth down, he found Smith wide open after a nasty double move for the game’s first touchdown. On the next drive, Ohio State went up 17-9 thanks to a third-down touchdown to Brandon Inniss<\/a>. Then, after an inexplicable punt in Michigan territory on the first drive of the second half, the offense got the ball back. As a result, Tate shook off his man as the snow began to fall and was wide open for a 50-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n

Ohio State knew it had to air it out and take advantage of the talent disparity and get away from Michigan’s strength. It did so beautifully.<\/p>\n

Then Bully Ball<\/h3>\n

With the game seemingly in hand, the game plan flipped. As the third quarter wound down with a multi-score lead, the Buckeyes began to run the ball.<\/p>\n

\n

That was an all time drive by Ohio State!<\/p>\n

20 plays
81 yards
12 minutes <\/p>\n

Punishing work by the Buckeyes<\/p>\n

— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) November 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n