The Ohio State Buckeyes are licking their wounds from past losses to the Michigan Wolverines, and they’re out for blood. This isn’t just another game; it’s a grudge match, a battle for bragging rights, and a chance to settle old scores. The weight of past defeats could crush the Buckeyes, but it could also fuel their fire. Will the pressure of expectation and the ghosts of losses past cripple them, or will it ignite a burning desire to prove the doubters wrong? One certainty remains—this rivalry encompasses more than just strategic plays; it is a battle for pride and honor.

Ohio State enters its matchup against Michigan as a 21-point favorite, but it’s not just gameplay on everyone’s mind. For the Buckeyes, three straight losses to their biggest rival loom large, a sentiment echoed by former OSU WR DeVier Posey. On the November 27th episode of

WBNS 10TV, Posey reflected, “In rivalry games, everything goes out the window….More importantly, the record. The past record that’s been online is only three versus guys in the last three years. Like, if pride, if being more than a national championship, being a part of this rivalry and getting one pair of gold pants isn’t on these players’ and coaches’ minds, I don’t know what it is.”

Posey emphasized that the rivalry’s history is deeply ingrained in the mindset of both players and coaches. “Fans might think Ohio State should roll over Michigan, but in the locker room, no one takes the bait,” he added. Despite the 2024 Buckeyes’ (10-1) 21-point spread and climbing betting lines, Michigan’s dominance over Ohio State in the last few years serves as a concern. Whatever it might be, Ohio State can’t afford to lose against Michigan, as it will not only affect their playoff rankings and their position in the league but also humiliate them to some extent. And if by any chance that happens, there is no way Ryan Day and the team will ever recover from this misery.

However, the question here is, despite the three-year winning record, what do the Michigan Wolverines actually have to offer against the Buckeyes? The team is currently standing at the 128th position in the passing offense and is averaging 140 yards per game. Plus, knowing the fact that Ohio State has players like quarterback Will Howard on their roster might be concerning for the team, or do they have a plan ready for their success?

Michigan Wolverines using their trump card

This weekend’s game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Buckeyes is more than just a rivalry game; it’s a matter of pride for them. Even though Michigan has its own struggles in the season with its inconsistent performance or quarterback issue, Sherrone Moore has somehow managed to pull everything back together. The team has put their hopes in quarterback Davis Warren, who was benched for throwing three interceptions against Arkansas. Yes, you heard that right. But Warren even showcased his remarkable performance against the Northwestern Wildcats last week, completing 26 out of 35 pass attempts for 195 yards. And now he is one of the key assets for Michigan’s rivalry game against the Buckeyes.

Even Davis Warren can’t wait to go up against Ryan Day’s team. He’s been waiting for this moment for a long time, and this is his chance to prove all the narratives about his poor gameplay wrong. This could finally earn him the appreciation he deserves. When asked about the Buckeyes’ execution in a recent interview, Warren said, “It really starts with the guys up front, the big boys. They know how we’ve won the game the last couple years and what it’s come down to. And I think they have confidence that they can do that.”

But will he be able to hold up against them? Well, for now, it’s only the record that’s continuously popping up in everyone’s head, and if the team messes up this game, it will not be shocking but will break Michigan’s vanity.