For the third straight season, Ohio State football couldn’t find a way past its bitter rival Michigan, losing in the Big House, 30-24. It was a heartbreaking loss, one in which the Buckeyes had chances but couldn’t capitalize on opportunities. There were mistakes all over the field; the biggest two were interceptions thrown by quarterback Kyle McCord. As I do following all Ohio State games, I look back at who played well and who didn’t. For the first time all season, there was so much more bad than good. Find out below who played the best, five-stars, and the worst, one-star, during Ohio State’s gut-wrenching loss to Michigan.
You lose and you can’t justify anyone playing at this high of a level. This one hurts, the Buckeyes again couldn’t get the job done. Another year of the same narrative, it’s going to be painful. This hurts. BAD.
he @OhioStateFB defense comes up with a big-time play 😤 pic.twitter.com/IWxURT6YZb — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023 Why The Buckeyes had just one unit that played exceptionally today, it was the defensive line. Mike Hall Jr. returned and played well, as did Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer. They made plays when they were there, and came up with the big stop at the end of the game to give the offense a chance.
The Wolverines reacted immediately after Zach Zinter, the guard from Michigan, was hurt. It wasn’t the Buckeyes. From that point on, they outscored the Buckeyes 13–7, demonstrating whose side was playing with more confidence. Ohio State did not have one. In Ohio, today is a depressing day.
Day made a number of poor choices, the most of which occurred at pivotal times. The team’s morale suffers when they fail to capitalize on fourth-and-short opportunities, in addition to the financial consequences. I was reminded of the previous attempt against Georgia by the field goal made at the interval. Let your guys leave everything on the field; have faith in them to get the difficult yards. Day stole it from them, and the price they paid was high.
Despite the Michigan defense’s best efforts, McCord was unable to defeat them. There were several interceptions that were dropped. His first selection resulted in a touchdown and a relatively short field for the Wolverines. His final selection guaranteed Michigan’s victory. McCord also missed a few fairly simple passes. In a game like this, you have to play well from the outset, and the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes didn’t. Today, McCord disappointed his team.
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