A lot of television sets and streaming devices turned on ‘The Game’ #GoBucks
FOX Sports has released the numbers, and over 12 million people tuned in for Ohio State vs. Michigan this past Saturday. The exact number was 12,323,000, many of which likely left with disappointment.
Despite Ohio State’s offense finishing the game with more total yards and better yards per play, it consistently failed to get in the endzone. The Buckeyes didn’t score in the second half at all.
For a team of this caliber, that is completely unacceptable. That said, here’s the release from FOX Sports, noting the Buckeyes-Wolverines battle was the most-watched Big Ten game of the season.
Michigan’s upset win over Ohio State scored 12,323,000 viewers for BIG NOON SATURDAY on FOX 🏈
✔️ Most-watched @bigten game of the season on any network
✔️ Second most-watched college football game of the season on any network pic.twitter.com/sAq9lhLcfW
We share some of the best high-resolution photos of Ohio State football’s loss to the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday in Ohio Stadium.
OK, we know you may not be in the mood to look at some high-resolution photos of Ohio State football’s latest loss to Michigan, but maybe you might want to zone out and just look at some mind-numbing photos of those two uniforms on the field that lets you know you are watching college football royalty.
Or, maybe you are a Michigan fan and found this website. If so, we’d like to say welcome, but can’t bring ourselves to do so. Regardless, there was a lot of media in attendance for the latest installment of “The Game,” so that means there were a ton of photos snapped too.
We’ve poured through them to bring you the best of the best photos for you to scroll through and think about what should have been.
We’d say happy scrolling, but we know it’ll probably be a pretty solemn effort.
Many Ohio State players were upset at the Michigan team trying to plant the flag on the Block O in the middle of Ohio Stadium after the Wolverines won a hard-fought 13-10 victory on Saturday afternoon — their fourth-straight win in the rivalry.
It ruffled so many feathers on the OSU sideline that a significant melee broke out that resulted in pepper spray being used to control things by the police on the field. Head coach Ryan Day said that Ohio State had some “prideful guys” that “weren’t going to let that happen.”
Michigan quarterback Davis Warren was asked about the incident and what unfolded afterward and seemed to rub salt in the wound of the OSU psyche by shrugging it off as something the Buckeyes could have prevented from occurring.
“We’re going to win in your house and we’re gonna plant the flag,” Warren told reporters after the game. “You should’ve done something about it.”
“We’re going to win in your house, and we’re going to plant the flag. You should’ve done something about it.” — Davis Warren pic.twitter.com/ETr2ap9yEh
OK, well, I don’t know that’s exactly what I would teach my kids or players I coach in a competitive environment, but I guess he has a point for those that think there’s more than a college football game at stake here. I’d rather teach competitors to respect the opponent and both win (ahem, Michigan) and lose (looking at you Ohio State) with class.
Neither of that happened in the aftermath of “The Game” on Saturday and nobody should be proud of how it all unfolded.
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Ohio State football vs. Michigan Wolverines: Halftime observations #GoBucks
The Ohio State football team is heading into halftime tied with the Michigan Wolverines at 10-10, and one of these teams was not ready to play. The Buckeyes were expected to win by more than three touchdowns and now I think they are just hoping to come away with a win.
There is not of positive to takeaway from this game other than the fact that the offense showed some life with its last drive earning the tying touchdown. Quarterback Will Howard has had an up and down game and went down briefly due to a serious hit on a q-run.
The offense has also not really gotten on track, especially in the running game, but we’ll dive into that. Here are three halftime observations from Ohio State’s first half against Michigan, one in which the teams headed to the locker room tied at 10-10.
The receivers are open
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Will Johnson is not playing and the Michigan defensive backfield can clearly not compete with these Ohio State receivers. Jeremiah Smith looks like he found his groove a bit and Carnell Tate is open almost ever play. I would expect the Buckeyes to lean into the passing attack more in the second half.
Will Howard is healthy
Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) with the help of Michigan Wolverines linebacker Ernest Hausmann (15) on a run during the second quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
The whole stadium went silent when Howard went down, but he is back and better than ever. After throwing an early interception, Howard looks like a new man and heads into halftime completing 12 of 18 passing attempts for 119 yards.
Don’t expect an explosion
This rivalry has historically been a barnburner the last decade, but this year is not going to play out that way. Ohio State has the ability to embarrass Michigan in the second half, but after witnessing the last three years, we just need to hope Ryan Day can get the win.
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We are on the doorstep of another Ohio State vs Michigan rivalry game and there are plenty of storylines to watch. One of those is the status of Wolverine star defensive back, Will Johnson, widely regarded as a first-round NFL draft pick come April.
Johnson has been dealing with an injury for a few games now but there were rumors that he might make it back for the game against the Buckeyes. However, based on multiple reports, he is expected to not play when things kick off for “The Game” at Noon ET on Saturday.
Johnson’s absence is huge if true. He has only played in six games this season and the Michigan pass defense has suffered greatly because of it, allowing 222.3 yards per game (No. 72 in FBS), while giving up 6.6 yards per pass attempt (remember, that includes incompletions).
Sources: Michigan All-American cornerback Will Johnson is not expected to play against Ohio State on Saturday. He’s been battling a toe injury that he suffered on Oct. 19 against Illinois. pic.twitter.com/oqod46xMRf
Having an All-American and potential top-ten NFL draft pick sidelined for the bitter rivalry on Saturday could unlock the passing game for Ohio State already more than what the gameplan would have called for.
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We’re still awaiting the status of Michigan’s star tight end, Colston Loveland as well. He left the Northwestern game last week with a shoulder injury. Head coach Sherrone Moore said that he is “trending in the right direction” at his press conference on Monday, but we’ll have to wait and see.
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OK, I know, I know, why even put such things out in the college football universe? Ohio State is all set to host Michigan on Saturday and everyone that knows anything about ‘The Game’ is fully aware that the Buckeyes have lost three-straight.
If you are even a casual Buckeye fan, you also know that OSU is having a much better season than its arch rivals, seeing how the Maize and Blue just became bowl-eligible last week. There is no shot at a Big Ten championship, no chance at a College Football Playoff berth, and likely no opportunity to head to any kind of bowl game worth consequence in Ann Arbor.
But beating Ohio State would make an awfully sour season taste that much sweeter. For Buckeye Nation, it would be one whale of a punch in the gut, especially with as talented of a roster as what has been put together in Columbus.
But … what if? What if Ohio State loses its fourth-straight to “That Team Up North?” What would the implications be?
Postseason Implications for Ohio State
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First things first, the Buckeyes would no longer be heading to Indianapolis with a chance to avenge a prior loss to Oregon and become Big Ten champs. Instead, it would likely be Penn State or Indiana unless they were both to lose Saturday (that isn’t happening). So, it would be extend the streak to four years of OSU not winning a Big Ten title.
Outside of that though, it would appear as though Ohio State is in fantastic shape to still make the 12-team College Football Playoff regardless of what happens on Saturday. Currently ranked No. 2, even a loss wouldn’t likely drop the Buckeyes far enough to keep them out of all of the fun, unless it ends up being a blowout. Even then, regardless of score, Ohio State has two wins over what were top-five opponents — currently both top ten squads. That should be more than enough to keep a little Scarlet and Gray into the fold.
But the Buckeyes would no longer be a No. 1 seed or even a No. 5 seed, so the chances of hosting a first-round CFP game would perhaps fly out the window. But don’t worry, a team capable of winning it all would still have a shot.
Buckeye Nation would respond
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However, if the Buckeyes can’t get it done on Saturday, there are more impacts that will ripple across the great state of Ohio. Fans will be even more restless, calling for head coach Ryan Day’s job. Losing four-straight to Michigan won’t make anyone happy, but even with all of the whispers and murmurs rising to the level of a deafening roar, it’s unlikely that new Athletic Director Ross Bjork would make a move on Day, especially with him steering the team to another College Football Playoff appearance.
Beyond that, it really depends on how far the Buckeyes make it in the playoff. OSU came within a missed field goal of beating Georgia after a loss to Michigan in 2022 that would have likely ended up in a national title. The same scenario could play out this season.
Either way, Ohio State is going to the playoff folks. Mark it down. However, let’s just hope that the team shows up and plays up to its potential and blows the doors off of Michigan to put the universe back in equilibrium on Saturday.
Time to get it done.
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Ohio State vs Michigan. Nothing further needs to be said, but this trailer will get you hyped up. #GoBucks
Every Thursday, the Ohio State creative team shares a theatrical trailer to get all of Buckeye Nation ready for the OSU football game coming to a stadium, high-definition television, or streaming device near you. And yeah, they are all pretty fantastic.
However, with ‘The Game’ coming up this weekend, you just knew the team would outdo itself, and that’s exactly what appears to have happened.
If you haven’t seen the trailer for Ohio State vs. Michigan, we suggest you take a couple of minutes to watch it. That’s where we come in. We have Volume 12 of the 2024 season for you taken straight from the Ohio State Football ‘X’ account, titled simply — The Game.
In it, there are highlights of some pretty remarkable hits and moments from a few of the meetings between the colors of Scarlet and Gray and Maize and Blue. I watched it and can’t believe I have to wait another couple of days before tuning in and waiting for some vengeance. Maybe you’ll feel the same.
Clear the furniture out of the living room and hit play below, then be prepared to get a little animated.
Ohio State and Michigan are all set to kickoff at Noon on Fox. We’ll all be watching. Almost all of the college football universe will be watching too.
Watch and listen to everything Ryan Day said in previewing the matchup with Michigan. #GoBucks
It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year (no offense to Christmas). That’s because it’s Ohio State vs. Michigan week, a time in which it feels a lot like the anticipation you get before opening up presents on Christmas Day. In fact, for Buckeyes and Wolverines, this week — and most especially Saturday — is a lot like college football Christmas.
This year, it’s a little different than the last three years because Michigan is having a down year and just got to bowl-eligibility last week by beating up on Northwestern. However, the Wolverines do seem to be playing better as of late and you can bet the Maize and Blue will do everything to try and make Ohio State black and blue on Saturday and ruin its chances of making the Big Ten Championship game.
No matter what happens on Saturday, OSU will more than likely be in the College Football Playoff, but beating Michigan is right at the top of the goals all of those players that came back for one more year want to check off.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media as he always does on Tuesday during a game week to talk about the state of the team and look ahead to the upcoming contest, and it’s especially important this week.
If you missed any of what Day said, we have all of the comments here thanks to video from the Eleven Warriors YouTube channel. During his time at the podium, Day discussed the weather, what the rivalry means, the play of quarterback Will Howard, and more.
Come back and continue to get prepared for the 120th edition of The Game that will kick off Saturday at Noon.
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The Michigan head coach sounds like he’s ready for the game with Ohio State this weekend. #GoBucks
It’s Michigan week. Of course, if you are an Ohio State fan, you know that already, but that means there are more than likely a lot of things at stake — not so much for the Wolverines this year, but OSU is surely square in the mix for a Big Ten championship and berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Wolverine head coach Sherrone Moore met with the media on Monday as he always does during the season to preview the matchup with the Buckeyes and of course we are interested in what he said (we think you will be too).
If you are like us and like to get an idea of what the opposing head coach says leading up to the matchup, have a watch and listen to what Moore had to say about the rivalry, the challenge of facing Ohio State, and more.
By now, we think you know, but The Game is set to kick off at Noon ET on Saturday. We’ll have a lot to say about things leading up to all the fun this weekend so come on back often.
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Ohio State will welcome Michigan to Ohio Stadium this season, and Paul Finebaum things the Buckeyes will come out on top.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are expected to be one of the best teams in college football this upcoming season.
While that might seem like the storyline heading into every year, this one should be different with the top-tier talent set to take the field in Columbus. As for what game every fan has circled, it has to be Michigan — although Oregon is bound to be fun as well.
It isn’t just Buckeyes fans who are eyeing that battle as it is often in the national spotlight given the College Football Playoff implications, and many are already starting to look ahead at that late-season game.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum is one of them, and he’s picking Ohio State. Here’s what he said when speaking on Michigan’s schedule on ESPN’s “First Take.”
“I think if they can win either Texas, Oregon or Washington, they can finish 10-2 — they may need to win two of those, because I don’t think they’re going to beat Ohio State,” Finebaum said.
