How Ohio State's game plan against Michigan was different this year
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. − Ohio State football sent a message with the first offensive play of its 27-9 win over Michigan: Julian Sayin dropped back from the Buckeyes‘ 25-yard line and launched a pass toward Carnell Tate, streaking down the left sideline.
That Zeke Berry broke up the play at the Michigan 33-yard line hardly mattered.
Ohio State had more success on the opening drive of last year’s 13-10 loss to Michigan. Jayden Fielding ended that possession with a 29-yard field goal, while Sayin was picked off to end the Buckeye offense’s first drive this year. However, by airing it out, OSU showed it was willing to be aggressive.
“We wanted to take this rivalry game back this year,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “The way that our guys played certainly spoke to that. They played with great passion, great physicality.”
Ohio State attempted more passes in 2024 (33) than in 2025 (26). Part of the reason for that is that this year the Buckeyes were attempting to burn clock in the second half. However, Sayin ended up being more effective than Will Howard throwing the deep ball. He had four passes that went for 23 yards or more. The longest pass in last year’s loss was 18 yards.
OSU was also more effective at running the ball. Bo Jackson rushed for 117 yards, more than the 77 that the Buckeyes registered as a team in the 2024 loss.
What made Jackson so effective? Credit Jackson’s elusiveness, of course, but Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson weren’t exactly plodders.
Jackson, though, got the ball in a variety of ways. Three of his four longest runs, including a 36-yard rumble in the first quarter, kicked out left or right as opposed to having him barrel ahead between the tackles. He caught four passes for an additional 49 yards.
“I think it’s very important as a running back to be versatile and be able to do a lot of different things,” Jackson said.
He wasn’t alone. Tight ends Max Klare and Will Kacmarek combined for five receptions. In 2024, non-wide receivers had a total of four catches.
On the other side of the ball, the biggest difference year-to-year was obvious. Multiple Buckeyes referenced toughness being the deciding factor.
“The defense’s physicality at the line of scrimmage, running from sideline to sideline, making plays,” Day said. “They had a great look in their eyes. I don’t think there was any doubt when we walked into the stadium what was going to happen. “
“We talked about it before the game,” linebacker Sonny Styles said. “We’ve got to win in the second half. … Last year, we lost in the second half. So that was the big thing, we came out in the second half and whupped them.”
Ohio State has won 16 games since its heartbreak on Nov. 30, 2024. On a cold, snowy day in Ann Arbor, the lessons came full circle.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football has won 16 straight since 2024 loss to Michigan
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