Denzel Burke isn’t going to mince words as Ohio State heads into The Game against Michigan. He recognizes the utmost importance of the rivalry to Columbus and the state of Ohio, and that is what Burke tried to communicate during a Tuesday meeting session.

According to Burke, the Buckeyes are going to “get it done” for the state on Saturday after the way the past couple of seasons have gone.

“The past couple of years, the bad brawls, the respect between coaches and just doing it for the city of Columbus. It’s important here, we’re going to get it done,” said Burke.

“I’m very emotional, I’m trying not to get out of character but this game means a lot for us, and we’re gonna get it done for the state of Ohio.”

The good news for Burke and the Buckeyes is that the roster is as healthy as possible for The Game. That includes Burke who leads Ohio State with 9 pass breakups and has an interception and a forced fumble this season.

Burke is also a part of Ohio State’s star-studded 2021 recruiting class that included the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer. As some of those players eye a potential jump to the 2024 NFL Draft, Egbuka said Tuesday that the group doesn’t want to leave Columbus “without Gold Pants.”

We’ll see if that changes come Saturday.