Wolverines Discuss Buckeyes, Need to Capitalize on Opportunities

By Steve Kornacki

MADISON, Wis. -- The stakes are much different this year for the University of Michigan football team.

Michigan and Ohio State were playing for all the marbles in last year's game at Columbus. The Big Ten East championship and entry into the College Football Playoff were up for grabs.

When the Buckeyes visit Ann Arbor on Saturday (Nov. 25), Michigan (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) is mathematically eliminated from postseason options and OSU (9-2, 7-1) has clinched a matchup with Wisconsin in the conference championship game. However, the Buckeyes will need some crazy good fortune to advance to the four-team national playoff as the first two-loss entrant.

However, while the pot of gold for the two teams is significantly devalued, one thing remains the same.

This is "The Game," and what many consider the top rivalry in college football. It's a season-making or season-breaking encounter with no love lost, no matter what the records.

Wolverines receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and nose tackle Aubrey Solomon, a pair of true freshmen making a big impact, were asked what their mindset was entering the showdown.

"We're going to treat them like any opponent," said Peoples-Jones. "We want to win. We've got to come out of there with a win."

Solomon couldn't answer quickly enough. He leaned into the microphone and said, "It's a must. We've got to -- no ifs, and or buts about it."

They've only been on campus since January, but both clearly understand the urgency. Michigan lost last year in an overtime thriller with a controversial, game-deciding review of a fourth-down call. And so it hasn't beaten the Buckeyes since 2011.

"It's big," said fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice "Mo" Hurst. "You know, I haven't beaten them since I've been here. So, I think it's just such a big opportunity just to get to play them and try to grind out a win by any means necessary."

Middle linebacker Devin Bush said, "It's one of those games where we've got to take advantage of every opportunity we get. Like Mo said, today didn't go as planned. We had a couple opportunities we should've taken more advantage of.

"But it's one of those games where you've got to put everything on the line."

The last thing the Wolverines want is to be left explaining "what-ifs" after a hard-fought loss. That's what they were left to do Saturday (Nov. 18), after losing a lead midway through the third quarter and dropping the game to undefeated No. 5 Wisconsin, 24-10.

Michigan had two great chances to score 14 points with those "opportunities" Bush was alluding to with his comments.

Badgers punter Anthony Lotti shanked one 28 yards before it went out of bounds at the Wisconsin 40-yard line. Brandon Peters hit Zach Gentry for a 35-yard pass that put the Wolverines on the doorstep. However, the next two plays netted one yard, and one of them was the Peters pass to Peoples-Jones that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh believed was a touchdown. But an incompletion resulted when officials ruled DPJ out of bounds and a review didn't overturn the call.

Peters scrambled on third down and got within one yard of the end zone before losing a fumble trying to extend his arm for the pylon.

That was blown opportunity No. 1.

Bush provided the next great field position by reading Badger quarterback Alex Hornibrook's eyes perfectly and anticipating a pass to tight end Troy Fumagalli. Bush jumped up and got the fingertips of both hands on the ball, briefly batting it up before grabbing it as he fell backward for an interception.

That put the Wolverines 29 yards from the end zone in a 7-7 game midway through the third quarter. Peoples-Jones went 12 yards on a reverse play to get the drive rolling, but the next three plays resulted in minus-four yards.

Michigan settled for a 39-yard field goal by Quinn Nordin when there was an opportunity for so much more.

So, Michigan got into the red zone on both of those short-field possessions and could manage only three of a possible 14 points. Had they added 11 more points to the scoreboard, the Wolverines would have had a 21-7 lead with 21 minutes remaining to play.

But those are the "ifs and buts" that Solomon touched upon. Strong teams don't let those chances to put an opponent away escape them, but Michigan did.

Fifth-year senior Maurice Hurst (73) said he hasn't beaten Ohio State during his tenure in Ann Arbor and calls next Saturday's game "a big opportunity."

Wisconsin, on the other hand, tilted the field and the outcome with four big plays (three on third-and-long) on two separate drives in the second half.

Hornibrook completed a 51-yard pass to A.J. Taylor on third-and-13, then found Taylor again on third-and-16 for a 24-yard touchdown and a 14-10 lead on the drive after Nordin's field goal.

Peters was knocked out of the game on the next possession and taken to the hospital to check out possible head injuries.

The Badgers got the ball back and Hornibrook again came up big on third-and-eight, hitting Danny Davis for 27 yards. Then, receiver Kendric Pryor took a reverse 32 yards to score and make it 21-10 with 24 seconds left in the third quarter.

Michigan's defense couldn't have played much better in the first half, when Wisconsin's lone score came on a 50-yard punt return touchdown by Nick Nelson. The Badgers were held to 99 yards total offense on 21 plays.

"The defense was lights-out in the first half," said Hurst. "… I feel like the game was kind of in our hands coming out into the second half, and we just didn't execute. There has to be something more -- especially coming into this next game."

Big plays by Wisconsin and an inability to get the running game going or provide ample pass protection spelled doom for Michigan in this one.

"Two big throws and then they got a few runs out, too," noted Harbaugh. "That ended up being the difference in the game. We weren't able to crack those runs in the running game offensively or get enough plays to win it.

"They made more plays, and we had opportunities but couldn't get it done today."

Harbaugh was asked for his message to his team after the Wisconsin loss.

"Just keep fighting," he said. "This one hurts, but just keep fighting. Keep battling."

Michigan needs a win over Ohio State to keep its hopes of a third consecutive 10-win season alive. But it needs it for reasons that go far beyond staying at a victory plateau. The Wolverines need to reverse a recent trend against their archrivals, and his players are well aware of that.

Like Hurst said, "By any means necessary."

WORTH NOTING: Michigan cornerback Lavert Hill (concussion) wasn't able to play at Wisconsin, but entering that game he shared a special distinction with fellow cornerback David Long. According to Pro Football Focus, they led the Big Ten in the lowest passer rating when targeted. Long (12.2) led the nation, while Hill (25.2) ranked fifth.

Both sophomore first-time starters have adapted quickly and successfully to living on the island that comes with one-on-one coverage.