Did Ohio State Benefit from Losing to Michigan

When Ohio State met Michigan late this season, the Buckeyes entered as 20.5-point favorites at home against the rival Wolverines.

The game was closely contested, and Sherrone Moore’s strategy of running the ball and playing good defense paid off against the Buckeyes.

The Michigan Wolverines did the impossible, taking down second-ranked Ohio State 13-10. This win also marked Michigan’s fourth in a row in the series.

This loss was an embarrassment for Ryan Day and Ohio State.

It dropped his record to just 1-4 against the Wolverines.

Michigan beat Ohio State despite quarterback Davis Warren only throwing for 62 yards and throwing two interceptions. The Wolverines ran the ball a whopping 42 times for 172 yards.

This is just the game Michigan wanted to play, however: Shortening the game and not allowing Ohio State to get their playmakers many opportunities.

Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard threw two huge interceptions. The first one was thrown at his own four-yard line, and the second was thrown as Ohio State was driving deep in Michigan territory when the game was tied 10-10.

This loss was seen as the dagger for Ohio State, as they had just lost their spot in the Big 10 Championship to Penn State and an opportunity for a rematch with unbeaten Oregon.

This loss proved to be the best thing to happen to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes were counted out by a lot of fans and media personalities after their horrific loss to Michigan. This fueled the Buckeyes.

No longer could Ohio State be complacent, they had to work and show all of college football that they were the best.

Losing also gave them a first round home game in the College Football Playoff. This was a huge benefit by giving them a week to warm up.

The Buckeyes were seeded eighth and got matched up with No. 9 Tennessee.

Ohio State dominated Tennessee, with the Buckeyes quickly going up 21-0 in the first quarter. They would ride that hot start to a dominant 42-17 win.

After the confidence boost of the first round, Ohio State was set for a rematch in the Rose Bowl with top-seeded Oregon, the only undefeated team left in college football and Big Ten Champions.

Ohio State lost a close one to the Ducks in Eugene earlier this season. Getting them on a neutral field proved to be another benefit for the Buckeyes.

Will Howard continued his fantastic play in the playoff, hooking up with true freshman Jeremiah Smith for two scores. These two along with fantastic defensive play led Ohio State to a 34-0 start.

The Buckeyes would dominate Oregon in the Rose Bowl 41-21.

Next was the Cotton Bowl against Texas, where the defense shined.

Texas had a chance to tie the game at 21 with a first and goal late in the fourth quarter. The Ohio State defense put together another one of its patented goal-line stands, which had become a staple for the defense in the 2024 season.

On 4th down, Jack Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and rumbled all the way to the endzone for the game-sealing score.

In Atlanta for the National Championship, Ohio State started hot again, leading 31-7 at a point against Notre Dame.

While the Fighting Irish made a comeback, Will Howard’s clutch third-down throw to Jeremiah Smith for a first down sealed the game. The Buckeyes would win their first title since 2014 by a score of 34-23.

The Buckeyes took all of that smoke from the Michigan game and channeled it into one of the most dominant runs in college football history that culminated in a National Championship.

They benefited from losing by becoming an underdog, having the ability to get hot early in the tournament and getting quarterback Will Howard’s confidence back, as his performance in this tournament was unbelievable.

Evan Pochas is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ejp5753@psu.edu.