What could have been a devastating blow to Ohio State’s season has instead fueled an ultra-impressive resurgence.
After suffering a shocking 13-10 defeat to Michigan on Nov. 30 as double-digit home favorites, the Buckeyes have stormed through the College Football Playoff with three dominating victories, outscoring their opponents by a combined 59 points.
Now, they are just one win away from a national championship.
The loss to their bitter rivals sparked speculation among fans and analysts alike: Was the Michigan setback exactly what Ohio State needed? Could it have served as the wake-up call that galvanized Ryan Day’s squad?
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly dismissed such speculation, insisting that the team’s focus has always been forward-looking rather than tied to a single narrative.
“I learned a long time ago as a coach that I’m not into narratives,” Kelly said. “I think we live in a week-to-week world, and that’s how we’ve always approached things.”
Kelly emphasized that the coaching staff’s priority has been on immediate preparation for the next opponent, regardless of prior outcomes.
“You’ve got about 20 hours to adjust to what happened, whether it was a win or whether it was a loss. And then you move on to the next game,” Kelly continued.
“So the narrative part of it isn’t something I think coaches really talk about … You guys are the experts at writing narratives. We’re just trying to get a first down.”
Despite Kelly’s comments, some players have acknowledged that the Michigan loss lit a fire under the team.
After Ohio State’s first-round CFP victory over Tennessee, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith candidly admitted how the bitter defeat shaped their mindset.
“We were ready to get that bad taste out of our mouth, let it all loose and dominate Tennessee,” Smith said.
Also, star captain Jack Sawyer admitted that the Michigan loss helped take the team to a whole other level.
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun offered a similar sentiment following Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl win over Texas, hinting that the defeat to Michigan may have been a crucial moment for the team.
“We kind of needed that,” he said.
The loss to Michigan may have briefly derailed Ohio State’s Big Ten title aspirations, but the Buckeyes have since proven themselves on the national stage.
As they prepare to face Notre Dame tonight for the championship, the team looks to cement its season-long journey with a triumphant ending.
What are your thoughts on tonight’s title game? … Will Ryan Day and the Buckeyes finally get the job done???
