Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 14

When a team holds J.T. Barrett to a completion percentage below 50% while sacking him eight times, you expect to come away with the win. But contrary to what Jim Harbaugh may tell you, they lost this game not because of the refs, but because the offense wasted an outstanding defensive performance.

For the first 44 minutes of this game, Michigan was absolutely dominant. Ohio State only managed 153 total yards up until the fourth quarter, as the Wolverines hounded them on every offensive possession. Michigan had turnover issues, but Ohio State’s stagnant offense up to that point forced them to be bold by faking a punt deep in their own territory. When that failed, Michigan got the ball back and made it 17-7.

But prior to the fourth quarter, the Wolverines turned it over three times, and two of them led to touchdowns. And Harbaugh’s sideline burst late in the third quarter gave the Buckeyes an even shorter field to work with in order to cut the lead to three.

In the fourth, Michigan had just three possessions, all of which consisted of three-and-outs. They only managed five yards on those three drives combined. And just like against Iowa, when they couldn’t put the game away late in the fourth quarter, that opened the door for the Buckeyes to send this one to overtime where they eventually came away with the win.

On paper, this was Michigan’s most successful season since 2011. But for Wolverines fans, it’ll be viewed as a disappointment since everything was building towards this moment. This was supposed to be the team that could take out the Buckeyes, and for a roster that was heavy on seniors, they knew this was their last shot at their rivals.

For three quarters, it looked like Michigan had it. But bad turnovers, and a Houdini act in the fourth quarter, cost the Wolverines not only a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, but a spot in the College Football Playoff. While the Buckeyes’ dominance in this rivalry continues, the tension of this game signaled that it’s back to being competitive. That said, this loss is going to sting for months.