5 takeaways from Michigan Football’s loss to Ohio State

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

5 takeaways from Michigan Football’s loss to Ohio State

The No. 15 Michigan Wolverines (9-3) lost 27-9 to the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0) on Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium.

Here are key takeaways from Michigan’s loss.

Didn’t do enough to seize momentum offensively in the first half, and completely shut down in the second half

Michigan had three scoring possessions in the first half, but they settled for a field goal every time. One of those field goals came after a Jordan Marshall 36-yard run, another after an interception from Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, and the last came after a 22-yard run from Bryson Kudzdal. Settling for field goals against Ohio State is a dangerous proposition, and one that cost Michigan in the end.

Michigan was just 1-of-9 on third down and had the ball for just 19:59 while the OSU offense had it for 40:01. Michigan had just 163 yards of total offense. Michigan rushed for -8 yards in the second half and had just 39 total yards, and had the ball for 6:20. It was just a bad day all around, and an incredibly bad second half.

Not a good day for Chip Lindsey, Bryce Underwood, and Michigan’s offense

Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey was often conservative when the game was close, choosing to run on first and second down and only letting quarterback Bryce Underwood throw on third down (obvious passing situations). From goal-line fades to screen passes being dialed up too often, Lindsey’s playcalling was uninspiring and ineffective. The most confusing thing of all is the lack of involvement from receiver Andrew Marsh, Michigan’s best wideout. Marsh didn’t haul in a reception.

Bryce Underwood played like a true freshman against Ohio State and struggled mightily. Underwood settled for checkdowns when there were targets open down the field; he was hesitant to throw when receivers were open, and he wasn’t seeing the field well. In all, Underwood was 8-of-18 for 63 yards with an interception.

Injuries and players out didn’t help Michigan any

  • Michigan running back Jordan Marshall gave it a go but must have reaggravated his shoulder injury, as he had only one carry in the second half. Marshall finished with seven carries for 61 yards, including a 36-yard scamper on Michigan’s first drive that led to a Michigan field goal.
  • Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann missed his second consecutive game for unknown reasons. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore classified Hausmann as “day-to-day” earlier this week, and his absence didn’t help Michigan any. Hausmann is Michigan’s leading tackler with 68 in all.
  • Fullback Max Bredeson suited up but wasn’t a factor in this one. Bredeson is a major catalyst in Michigan’s rushing attack as a great blocker, and the dropoff between him and Jalen Hoffman was evident.

Michigan’s defense had no answers

Ohio State gashed Michigan through the air and on the ground, totaling 419 yards. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin was 19-of-26 for 233 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. OSU running back Bo Jackson rushed for 117 yards and ran well between the tackles and bounced big runs to the outside as well. Sayin was able to hurt Michigan’s secondary on short, intermediate, and deep throws — beyond an interception on OSU’s first offensive drive of the game, Sayin was in complete control. Michigan was outmuscled consistently and couldn’t generate a pass rush, which greatly hurt their chances of being effective against a potent Ohio State offense.

A wake-up call

Outclassed, outcoached, outmanned, Ohio State took it to Michigan from the top of the program to the bottom in this one. Ohio State is currently on a much more successful trajectory as a program than Michigan. While Michigan’s national championship in 2023 should always be celebrated, the time for living in the past is over, and Michigan simply isn’t on Ohio State’s level.

Granted, Michigan’s the youngest team in the Big Ten and brighter days could still be to come, but that’s not a given. This should be a humbling loss and a humbling season after absolutely demoralizing losses to USC and Ohio State, where the game was not competitive.

I’m not here to provide solutions; however, the Michigan program needs to ask itself what needs to be done to get back to having undefeated seasons. That’s the bar for this program, championships, and they’re not living up to those self-imposed expectations.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos