Ad Disclosure
Rapid Reaction: Justin Fields, J.K. Dobbins help Ohio State finish unbeaten with yet another win over Michigan
Published:
Final Score: #1 Ohio State 56 #13 Michigan 27
Brief Recap: Michigan didn’t play poorly. But, you have to play better than poorly — even with a talented roster at home — to beat the No. 1 team in the country. On Saturday, Ohio State proved exactly that: that it is the best team in the country. The Buckeyes could throw, run and do whatever they wanted to do against what was a quality Michigan team. Again, the Wolverines fought hard, but a couple mistakes piled on top of each other and made the lead an insurmountable one to overcome. Once you are forced to pass against Ohio State to get back into the game, it’s over.
Key Moment: With 6:32 remaining in the first half, Michigan trailed 21-13. The Wolverines were driving and looked poised to make the game a one-point differential at worst. Then, quarterback Shea Patterson took a snap from the shotgun formation and bobbled it. He lost the ball and Ohio State recovered. The Buckeyes then went down the field, scored, changed the momentum of the game and went on to take a 35-16 lead (following a late Michigan field goal to end the second quarter) after scoring on the opening possession of the second half.
Key Stat: J.K. Dobbins finished with 31 carries for 211 yards and 4 TD. The 211 yards for the Buckeyes’ junior tailback marked a career-high. Ohio State QB Justin Fields gets all the publicity, as does DE Chase Young — and rightfully so. However, Dobbins may be the key to it all, as he helps setup Fields and the defense.
Key Player: Dobbins. Again, when Ohio State has the talent that it possesses and is able to maintain a heavy dose of running the football at you for four straight quarters, it becomes a nearly impossible team to beat. Dobbins sets up Fields, which sets up the defense. The Buckeyes get a lead and turn the game over to their pass rush. Game over.
What it means for Ohio State: The win means nothing from a Big Ten perspective. The Buckeyes were already going to the Big Ten Championship. But with the win, they finish 12-0. They should go into championship week as the No. 1 team in the country. As long as Ohio State keeps winning, it will be in the College Football Playoff. There are no questions about that. Oh, and the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines. That, arguably, means everything.
What it means for Michigan: Another game against Ohio State, another loss. Blame Jim Harbaugh if you must, but it wasn’t necessarily his fault that the Wolverines lost this game. The defense couldn’t stop the Buckeyes, and to be honest, no team has to this point. We’ll see if any defense can. Michigan played well and was in the game for quite some time, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. Michigan lost to Ohio State once again and finishes the 2019 regular season with a 9-3 overall record.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.