Jack Sawyer uses colorful description for Ohio State’s level of effort entering The Game

Jack Sawyer understands Michigan has fallen well short of trying to defend its national title. However, Sawyer — the rest of Ohio State’s roster — understands that has no bearing on The Game.

This weekend, Ohio State hosts the Wolverines with the Buckeyes coming in as a massive favorite to end a 3-game skid. That’s understandable with Michigan unranked and Ohio State the No. 2 team in the country trying to make the College Football Playoff.

In spite of those facts, Sawyer knows The Game is going “to be a war” regardless of the records. He also said the Buckeyes have to show up ready to “play our balls off” on Saturday.

Jack Sawyer said Ohio State cannot underestimate Michigan this weekend.

“Every year, it doesn’t matter what the record is — our record, their record. It’s gonna be a war, no matter what,” Sawyer said. He later added, “We’re gonna have to come out there and play our balls off.”

— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) November 26, 2024

Emeka Egbuka used a similarly colorful expression to describe winning the game. The senior receiver said the Buckeyes are focused on themselves and will be ready to “spill blood” for each other.

“We’re not too focused on kind of the negative aspect of TTUN, but we’re focused on the positive energy and the love that we have for everybody in this building. So we’re going into that game ready to spill blood for each other because we love each other, not necessarily going to war because we hate the other side,” Egbuka described.

Emeka Egbuka on Ohio State’s mindset entering The Game: “We’re not too focused on kind of the negative aspect of the team up north, but we’re focused on the positive energy and the love that we have for everybody in this building. So we’re going into that game ready to spill…

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 26, 2024

Cody Simon, another senior leader and the Block O for Ohio State, also described The Game as a battle:

Cody Simon on Michigan: they run the ball, they have good players. Their team is comprised of good players, we have to be ready to go. We know this is always a physical battle. #Buckeyes

— Kellyanne Stitts (@KellyanneStitts) November 26, 2024

Regardless of how you describe it, Ohio State will still need to dial up its best performance, regardless of Michigan’s record. The Buckeyes also need to maintain focus with the B1G Championship Game and College Football Playoff still in focus.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.