The recent face-off between Ohio State and Michigan was a thrill-packed game. However, things took a turn for the worse for Ohio State as they suffered a loss against Michigan, a third consecutive defeat against their rivals. Michigan’s victory was a significant one, securing their place in the Big Ten East and advancing them to the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game.
The game also saw record-breaking performances from Michigan’s Blake Corum and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. However, the aftermath of the game saw Dave Portnoy, a profound flagbearer for Michigan, taking a dig at Ohio amid the fiasco. Despite their recent loss to Michigan, Ohio State’s chances of making it to the playoffs are not completely ruled out. However, their path is extremely narrow and there’s virtually no way they could pass the SEC Champ, Pac-12 Champ, or Michigan.
Dave Portnoy’s unfeigned opinion on Ohio’s defeat
Barstool Sports president, Dave Portnoy never shies away from sharing his outlook on Michigan. Especially, he did not miss the opportunity to side with his alma mater.
Along similar lines, following the playoff between Michigan and Ohio, his tweet was a clear dig at the Ohio’s performance. Quoting the outrageous loss handed over to Ohio, he wrote, “My new favorite pastime is watching Ohio fans try to back door their way into the playoffs every year after getting curb stomped by Michigan.”
The tweet came in the wake of Ohio State’s crushing defeat against Michigan, a result that significantly dented their playoff hopes. The No.3 Wolverines took down the no. 2 Buckeyes with a score of 30-24 on Michigan’s home turf.
My new favorite pastime is watching Ohio fans try to back door their way into the playoffs every year after getting curb stomped by Michigan. https://t.co/91M3C93UDb
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) November 27, 2023
The loss was a major upset, as Ohio State was considered a strong contender for the playoffs. However, their performance against Michigan left much to be desired, leading to widespread disappointment among their fans.
The lack of pace resulted in the defeat
While everyone is trying to figure a way out of the misery, it’s Ohio State’s slow start, which proved fatal. In four out of the last five weeks, they were unable to score more than one touchdown in the first half. This slow start cost them a matchup with another top-five team. In the first quarter, Ohio State inadvertently set up Michigan for their first touchdown. An interception by quarterback Kyle McCord placed the Wolverines just 7 yards away from the Buckeyes’ end zone.
Instead of seizing the opportunity to advance and aim for the end zone, they chose to let the clock wind down to a mere 3 seconds. At this crucial juncture, they called upon their kicker, Jayden Fielding, to attempt the longest field goal of his career. Unfortunately, Fielding’s attempt fell short as the clock ran out, marking the end of the first half.