If last Saturday proved anything about Ohio football, it’s that this state can definitely play it. The No. 1 OSU Buckeyes derailed undefeated No. 2 Michigan, 41-38, in front of a packed house of 105,000 at Ohio stadium in Columbus. The win sends the Buckeyes to the national championship game on January 8, in Glendale, Arizona, where their opponent could very well be the Wolverines once again. That remains to be seen, however.
In addition, two other Ohio teams took huge steps this season besides the Buckeyes. Our very own UC Bearcats humiliated previously undefeated and No. 7 ranked Rutgers, 30-11, in front of 25,000 plus at Nippert stadium. The Cats defeated their highest ranked opponent ever in school history. The win also made the Cats bowl eligible with one game remaining in the season. A November 20 meeting with the Connecticut Huskies remained at press time.
The Ohio University Bobcats have also enjoyed a resurgence this season. After a dismal history of losing seasons in the recent past, the Bobcats clawed their way to an 8-3 record overall with a 6-1 record in MAC play. The Bobcats have secured a bowl game and a birth in the MAC championship game regardless of the outcome of this weekend’s rivalry game against woeful Miami (2-9).
The biggest game of the weekend undoubtedly was the OSU v. Michigan game. More than 105,000 people packed the house and according to Columbus television, almost the same number didn’t have a ticket but packed the streets outside the stadium in the various campus bars.
The passion of the greatest rivalry in college sports was shown off Saturday, and Michigan sprinted out to a 7-0 lead early in the game, only to see Ohio State’s potent offense, led by Heisman front runner Troy Smith, take a 28-14 lead into Half Time.
But Michigan kept the game close in the Second Half, and a couple of Ohio State turnovers kept them in the game, until a recovered onside kick by Ted Ginn Jr. sealed the triumph for the Buckeyes.
Almost immediately following the game the argument of whether there should be a rematch in six weeks in Arizona arose. Michigan is clearly the second best team in the nation, but the pollsters may opt for a different opponent, say a Notre Dame, USC, or Florida. Perhaps this is why we didn’t see the normal rioting in Columbus following the game. OSU fans know that a win over Michigan in November is meaningless if the Bucks fall to the Wolverines on January 8.
The national championship may be up in the air, but this is for certain, Ohio college football shined brightest that weekend.