by Nothing short of a Big Ten championship game berth and a shot at the College Football Playoff is on the line when the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines take on the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Game, a staple of Rivalry Week, is as historic as it is high stakes. Michigan has the all-time lead in wins over its rival. However, before winning last year’s game, the Wolverines had lost eight in a row to the Buckeyes. In 2021, Michigan ran nearly 300 yards in the game and Hassan Haskins had five touchdowns.
“We’re scarred and it motivated all of us in the off-season,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said this week. “So we’ve worked really hard to get here at this point.”
They meet as undefeated teams for the first time since 2006, and this is only the fourth time since 1900 that undefeated teams have met at 11-0 or better. They got here in different ways. Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud leads the Heisman Trophy, with 35 scores this season. After playing in just three games last season, Marvin Harrison Jr. become the Buckeyes’ latest superstar receiver. Michigan, on the other hand, relies on Blake Corum running back. He is No. 4 in rushing yards for the season and second in the nation in rushing yards with 18.
Here are Saturday’s scenes, moments and top plays at The Horseshoe:
Buckeyes answers right back
The game has officially started. π€
No. 2 @OhioStateFB answer back with @MarvHarrisonJrthe first TD of the day. pic.twitter.com/72Gl896qqT
β Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 26, 2022
I’ve never seen anything like Marvin, he’s automatic @MarvHarrisonJr
β Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) November 26, 2022
The ABSOLUTE BEST WR in the country!! #18 Jr
β LeBron James (@KingJames) November 26, 2022
Another big game for Michigan
After scoring Michigan’s first touchdown, McCarthy found Johnson deep for the touchdown, giving the Wolverines their first lead of the game. Johnson has TD catches of 69 and 75 yards in the game so far.
Michigan came in today and had one TD of 50 or more yards this season and has now done it twice in this game. The Wolverines are also the first team with multiple 65-yard touchdowns against Ohio State in Columbus since Oregon State did it in the 2018 season opener.
Cornelius Nation γ½οΈ
Cornelius Johnson’s second long TD of the quarter gives No. 3 Michigan the lead.@CorneliusNation X @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/bEiboJuX0v
β Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 26, 2022
Wolverines finally answer
After struggling to do much offensively, the Wolverines got into the end zone after JJ McCarthy found receiver Cornelius Johnson, who broke several tackles for the long TD.
TOUCH DOWNγ½οΈ π₯ @UMichFootball @CorneliusNation X @jjmccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/uWtoKRVIcg
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2022
Scary statistic for Michigan
The Wolverines have struggled to run the ball so far. They were held to 1 yard in the first quarter. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Michigan has not beaten a top-five team in running for those few yards in a quarter since at least 2004.
Big catches, big score
First, Stroud made contact with Harrison, who grabbed with one hand. Later in the drive, Stroud hit Emeka Egbuka for the score.
WOW βΌοΈπ@OhioStateFB RIDES the field ππ₯ pic.twitter.com/QL35cSotzV
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2022
CAN’T WAIT βARV, DO IT FIRST.@MarvHarrisonJr | #GoBucks
β Ohio State Soccer (@OhioStateFB) November 26, 2022
No. 2β£ strikes first. π @emeka_egbuka X @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/NtplsReecE
β Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 26, 2022
LeBron is ready
Let’s Goooooooooooo BUCKS π£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈπ£οΈ
β LeBron James (@KingJames) November 26, 2022
I can’t believe I’m not available today to be at this game!! This is insane π€¦πΎββοΈπ€¦πΎββοΈπ€¦πΎββοΈπ©π©π©
β LeBron James (@KingJames) November 26, 2022
Corum, Edwards seems ready
Edwards just dropped two passes during the warmup. Will be interesting if that restricts him from passing the game today. https://t.co/uasPAvBiL5
β Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 26, 2022
Blake Corum and Michigan RBs coach Mike Hart. Corum and Donovan Edwards warm up. Doesn’t seem limited. pic.twitter.com/2X3EmPOBun
β Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 26, 2022
Arrivals
0β£0β£7β£ Reporting for duty π«‘ #HE7SMAN@CJ7STROUD | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/tFYZhZsFaK
β Ohio State Soccer (@OhioStateFB) November 26, 2022
π Enemy territory pic.twitter.com/Ta4lAEsHUd
β Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 26, 2022
The LeBron Gear
The Buckeyes are once again wearing cleats from LeBron James’ shoe line with Nike. It’s one of this week’s best gear.
Let’s go!!!!!! Had to βmake sure βy guys had that π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯ for the weekend!! OH!! #GoBucks https://t.co/n35ddwDBBz
β LeBron James (@KingJames) November 23, 2022
