GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan Football: Ohio State Isn’t A Must-Win Game Yet

By Tyler Fenwick

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeye defenders Damon Webb (L) and Raekwon McMillan (5) and Malik Hooker (24) tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Karan Higdon (22) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeye defenders Damon Webb (L) and Raekwon McMillan (5) and Malik Hooker (24) tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Karan Higdon (22) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

There’s going to be some talk of Michigan football being in a “must-win” situation against Ohio State this season. Don’t buy that talk just yet.

As of this writing, it has been 2,028 days since Michigan football last beat Ohio State. That was in 2011. Since then, the Wolverines have lost five straight to the Buckeyes by an average of eight points.

Related Story: Is $800K too much for a football trip?

Some of those games have been among the best ever played in the series—like the 42-41 final in 2013 that ended with a failed two-point conversion, and then of course there was last season’s dramatic double-overtime finish in Columbus. Objectively, those were incredible football games to watch. But whether it’s been a one-point game or a 29-point game (2015), Michigan’s been on the losing end every time.

That’s why, in Jim Harbaugh’s third year with the Wolverines, there is going to be talk of Michigan being in a must-win situation against Ohio State. It wouldn’t surprise me if this kind of thing starts picking up steam during the offseason, but I think it’ll most likely take off around the middle of the schedule.

First of all, there are two kinds of must-win games. The first is the most common: Team A has a lot on the line right now (like the College Football Playoff) and absolutely must beat Team B.

More from GBMWolverine

Then there’s the less common form, the one we’re talking about here: Team A hasn’t been able to do much against Team B in recent years and therefore must beat them this season.

In some cases, I think that latter example can be true. But most times, and especially right now, it’s not.

Since you’re neither a player nor a coach, you can admit that 2016 did represent what’s so unaffectionately called a mortal victory. As in Michigan finally proved that it actually belongs on the same field as Ohio State, and it really should have won that game.

Harbaugh and the Wolverines are not three miles behind the Buckeyes. They actually almost made a complete pass last season; they just blew a tire at the last second.

I agree that beating Ohio State would make up for a few ills. I’ve even argued for that here. But on the flip side, I have a hard time seeing where losing to Ohio State somehow makes a season worse than it actually was. And if 2016 felt like that to you, I implore you to assess whether it was Ohio State or the dreadful Orange Bowl that really made you feel that way.

Next: Top 10 running backs in Michigan history

Michigan is not facing a must-win game against Ohio State this season. If may very well happen in the future if the Wolverines keep losing, but this is not that year.

Home/Michigan Football