Ohio State rebounded after Michigan loss. But would they trade that defeat for national title?

ATLANTA — Admittedly, the question is ridiculous.

Ohio State is hours away from meeting Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game, capping a season that just in the past eight weeks has seesawed between the depths of another loss to Michigan and the potential high of claiming the program first championship since the debut of the four-team format a decade ago.

The Buckeyes have steamrolled through three playoff games since the rivalry loss, escaping the shadow of that miserable moment with impressive wins against Tennessee, Oregon and Texas. So, the question: If the Michigan game was the impetus for this run to the championship game, is that an exchange the Buckeyes are willing to take?

In other words, would you trade a loss to the Wolverines for a ring?

“I don’t have an answer on that,” said senior offensive lineman Josh Fryar. “I don’t have an answer. Maybe I’ll have an answer after Monday night.”

Said wide receiver Carnell Tate, “It’s not worth losing no game, really.”

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) reacts as Michigan players celebrate a fourth-down stop to seal the game during the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

A fourth loss in a row in the rivalry will trail Ohio State all the way until next November and at least partially define this season even if the Buckeyes beat the Fighting Irish.

But there is a clear line between that ultimate low — probably the nadir of coach Ryan Day’s tenure given how the Wolverines had played heading into that Saturday — and where Ohio State stands heading into Monday night.

“That’s the sobering reality of this game, that nobody cares about what you go thru and you’ve got to win that final one to finish the mission,” Day said. “That’s it for our guys, and as much as some of these wins have been…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-state-rebounded-michigan-loss-110624324.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2025-01-19 11:06:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.