Basketball Buckeyes climb to No. 6 in latest AP Poll
December 3, 2019
Cleveland Browns: In Hindsight
December 4, 2019
This was supposed to be Michigan’s year to beat Ohio State. The Buckeyes had a first-year head coach, first-year starting quarterback, lost plenty of talent to either the NFL or graduation and last but certainly not least, The Game was in Ann Arbor. Everything was adding up in the Wolverines’ favor. After Urban Meyer was a perfect 7-0 and Jim Harbaugh was winless in the rivalry game, the Michigan head coach was expected to win his first game against Ohio State in his fifth try.
Yet, the Buckeyes’ dominance over the years wasn’t a mirage and continued last Saturday afternoon, as Ohio State once again dominated the matchup, beating Michigan, 56-27. It was not only another win but another blowout, one that has been happening more often than not lately for the scarlet and gray against their biggest rival. Over the last two years, the scarlet and gray have now scored 118 points against Michigan. That’s unheard of, especially when you consider that prior to the regular-season finale, the Wolverines have consistently had one of the best defenses in the country.
Michigan has allowed 16.0 pts per game to non-Ohio State opponents the last two seasons.
Michigan has allowed 14.9 pts per quarter (!) to Ohio State the last two seasons. https://t.co/R0UZFohDNt
— Jacob L. Rosen (@JacobLRosen) December 2, 2019
There have been memes made, comments said, and everything else in-between besides Michigan actually beating Ohio State. The Wolverines have continued to talk, but what has happened on the field has been absolutely owned and dominated by the scarlet and gray for much of this century. I mean, Jim Harbaugh (the 0-5 against Ohio State Jim Harbaugh) even got angry at a reporter for asking a good question during the postgame press conference Saturday afternoon.
Jim Harbaugh was insulted when I asked him what the difference is between Michigan and Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/U2s091hvDM
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) November 30, 2019
The Buckeyes have now won the last eight matchups, 15 of the last 16, and 17 of the last 20. They haven’t lost to Michigan at home in Columbus since 2000. Keep in mind, one of the two times that the Wolverines won The Game since 2001 was when Luke Fickell was the head coach of Ohio State in the one year between Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer. Whether it’s been Tressel, Meyer, and now Ryan Day, the rivalry has been dominated by the Buckeyes.
The craziest part is that it’s not even about recruiting. In fact, Michigan has had more four- and five-star recruits (71) than Ohio State has had (69) between 2016-19. Those stars have transformed into 18 first- or second-round pick for the Buckeyes and just four first- or second-round picks for the Wolverines. It’s clearly about development more than anything. Judging by what has taken place in much of the last two decades, it’s clear that the team in Columbus is much better at developing their players and making the most of the talent on the field.
Ohio State 2016-19
4/5-star recruits (69)
1st/2nd-round draft picks (18)Michigan 2016-19
4/5-star recruits (71)
1st/2nd-round draft picks (4)Michigan's problem isn't recruiting. Player development is.
— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) December 3, 2019
After taking care of Mich-Again, the No.1 Buckeyes will now take on No. 8 Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship Saturday night.
It’s December 4, 2019, and Michigan still sucks. Always remember that.
