Ryan Day and 3 Ohio State scapegoats most to blame for loss to Michigan

Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day yells during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Michigan Wolverines At Ohio State Buckeyes /

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C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. C.J. Stroud didn’t deliver the Heisman performance Ohio State needed

Coming into this weekend, quarterback C.J. Stroud had the opportunity to earn himself the Heisman Trophy if he could exorcise the demons of last season and guide the Buckeyes past Michigan. However, he might’ve done the opposite and lost the award with his performance on Saturday afternoon in Columbus.

Sure, Stroud did throw for 349 yards and two touchdowns in the game. But the signal-caller likely playing the last home game of his college career also threw two picks, both of which came in the fourth quarter with Ohio State trying to claw their way back into the game. It was more than just the turnovers, though.

Particularly in the second half, Stroud was among the players from OSU who looked like the moment was too big for them. His throws became less crisp, he wasn’t calm and collected when facing pressure, and he obviously didn’t make the plays that his team needed him to as the leader of the offense for them to have a chance to win the game.

For all of the stats that Stroud has put up, he’s going to finish his Ohio State career with an 0-2 record as a starter against Michigan. And after watching his performance on Saturday, it’s not hard to decipher why that’s the case.

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