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There’s an old adage in life that seems to apply well to Michigan football’s mentality going into its rivalry game against Ohio State: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The Wolverines, of course, were broken into bite size pieces in this discord for nearly two decades. From 2004 to 2020, the lone win Michigan picked up in the sport’s most historic rivalry was a 40-34 victory over then-interim coach Luke Fickell, who led the Buckeyes to a 6-6 season in his only year between Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer.
U-M lost 14 out of 15 years, then in 2020, bowed out of the contest after a COVID-19 outbreak infected the locker room in the weeks leading up to The Game.
However, when the rivalry resumed to conclude the 2021 regular season, the old refrain that U-M would hang around only for OSU to impose its will as the game wore on, was flipped.
Michigan defensive back DJ Turner (5) tackles Ohio State wide receiver Xavier Johnson during the second half Nov. 26, 2022 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
The Wolverines were physical and hammered OSU on the ground from the start to finish. Hassan Haskins led the way as the rushing attack grounded the Buckeyes to the tune of 41 carries, 297 yards and all six of the touchdowns in the history-snapping win, 42-27, in a snow globe in Ann Arbor.
The winning formula was discovered.
“I would say after the end of the (2021) season, there was never a shadow of a doubt in anyone’s mind that we are the more physical, the more dominant team,” sixth year safety Quinten Johnson said Monday at Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor. “We’re the team that should ultimately come out victorious. Doubt and fear, I don’t think they’ve ever really entered anybody’s mind, especially with guys on this roster. Being nervous or not being able to embrace the moment, that’s not necessarily in anybody’s mind….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-knows-formula-shocking-190103080.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2024-11-26 19:01:00
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