Ohio State (10-2, 7-2, No. 2 CFP) got the ball back but couldn’t move it. Will Howard threw an incomplete on fourth down, giving the Wolverines their fourth straight win over their bitter rival.

“They come to Michigan to play this game,” Zvada said. “So it’s the biggest of the year. This is what everyone is looking forward to and it’s great to come here and get the win.”

This Ohio State loss in “The Game” was perhaps the toughest of the last four as Michigan was unranked and capped off a disappointing season. The Wolverines also played without some top players: tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Buckeyes had a 21-point advantage, the largest point spread in this rivalry since 1978.

Records – and point spread, for that matter – rarely mean much when these two teams meet.

“Our defense played outstanding,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “We held a strong offense to 10 points and 77 rushing yards.”

The Buckeyes had the entire afternoon off. Howard was 19 for 33 for 175 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and Jayden Fielding missed two field goal attempts. The running game was barely there.

“It’s hard, man,” an emotional Howard said. “I really don’t have much at the moment. I know we are a two-loss team. We will get to the playoffs and make a breakthrough. But I mean, this hurts.”

Mullings was Michigan’s primary weapon. He rushed for 116 yards and was the Wolverines’ only touchdown of the game in the first half, as neither team was able to get much going offensively on the icy afternoon.

“They made plays, we made plays, and as the game went on you could definitely feel them starting to lose confidence, energy and belief,” Mullings said.

Howard was clumsy all day. In the first half, he threw an interception from deep in his own territory that led to Michigan’s touchdown.

He went on a play in the second quarter to be checked for a head injury. After the game he said he was fine.

“We are very disappointed and never thought this would happen here,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We expected to win this game and play in the Big Ten championship game.”

After the game, Michigan players attempted to raise their flag at midfield and were confronted by Ohio State players. A skirmish ensued, with both teams pushing and shoving before being separated.

The snack bar

Michigan: Did just enough and caught Ohio State on an off day.

Ohio State: It’s inexplicable how poorly the Buckeyes played in their biggest game of the season. They would need to lose to No. 4 Penn State and No. 10 Indiana later Saturday to make it to the Big Ten title game next week.

Seniors let down

It’s been talked about all season that many of Ohio State’s team leaders, including receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive end Jack Sawyer, chose to return for another year rather than enter the NFL draft because they wanted to beat Michigan at least once. These players were heartbroken after the game.

One of them, linebacker Cody Simon, was asked how he was feeling.

“I just can’t talk about that right now,” said Simon. “I feel like we let the entire Buckeye Nation down.”

Next

Michigan will wait for a minor bowl game. Assuming Penn State or Indiana win on Saturday, Ohio State will see the final College Football Playoff rankings on Dec. 8.

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