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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There are still narratives galore that Michigan avoided playing the final regular-season game against Ohio State, but the fact of the matter remains that the team is suffering from COVID-19-related losses, on top of injuries.
But when Michigan had to cancel the contest vs. Maryland, the writing appeared to be on the wall. Still, team captain Josh Ross says that he was preparing to rebound against the Buckeyes before the rug got pulled out from underneath him and the team.
“It was very emotional — kind of abrupt,” Ross said. “We suffered an outbreak and potentially — we thought we could play against Ohio State, and that got shut down, too. It was heartbreaking. Who doesn’t want to play in The Game? Who doesn’t want to play against Ohio State? It’s the biggest game of the year and we were heartbroken from it.”
Many will say that The Game just means more to the Buckeyes, and while they are a bit more fanatical about it, Ross notes that everything his team does in the offseason and in-season is about getting ready for that rivalry.
“My emotions — I knew what was going on, I knew the numbers were increasing,” Ross said. “I knew people were getting COVID. But, at the end of the day, I was just focused on playing that game and focused on having my best game — our defense having the best game.
“It definitely was heartbreaking. Because that’s what you prepare for, because that’s the biggest game of the year. That’s the only game — that’s one of the only games that means a lot to Michigan. It definitely was heartbreaking and it is what it is. Onto the next week.”
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Now, Michigan is preparing to take on an Iowa team that has been surging, having won its last six-straight. But the fact that the maize and blue might be able to take the field on Saturday has resurrected the social media narratives that they could have played against the Buckeyes.
Ross has heard those theories, and though the team is currently a shell of itself, he reiterates: if Michigan could have played Ohio State, it would have.
“I’ve heard — and it’s nonsense,” Ross said. “We would never duck a game like that. It’s the biggest game of the year and it’s the most exciting game of the year. It’s not what we’re about at all. I don’t really pay attention to social media stuff, but that’s nonsense.”
Michigan and Iowa are set to kick off on Friday night at Kinnick Stadium at 7 p.m. EST.
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