After three straight years of heartbreak, Ohio State finally flipped the script in a big way. The Buckeyes didn’t just beat Michigan - they dominated them.
The 27-9 win wasn’t just a scoreline; it was a statement. A statement that Ryan Day and his team weren’t just ready to contend - they were ready to reclaim their place at the top of the Big Ten, and maybe even college football itself.
This was the kind of win that lingers. Not just because it snapped a losing streak to their biggest rival, but because of how it happened.
In swirling snow and biting wind, Ohio State didn’t flinch. They leaned into the elements, imposed their will, and played a brand of football that was as physical as it was relentless.
For a team that’s taken its fair share of criticism in recent years for not being tough enough in the trenches or faltering in bad weather, this was a resounding rebuttal.
Left guard Luke Montgomery spoke to the media for the first time since the win, and you could hear the pride in his voice. “A dream that came to reality,” he said, reflecting on the sheer physicality of the Buckeyes’ performance.
And he’s not wrong. Ohio State didn’t just outplay Michigan - they overpowered them.
In the snow. In the cold.
In the kind of game where toughness matters more than talent. That’s the kind of win that sticks with a program.
And now, the road ahead looks clear - and climate-controlled. With the Big Ten Championship against Indiana up next, the Buckeyes are in prime position to lock up the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
That top spot would give them the power to choose their semifinal venue, likely putting them in a dome or a warm-weather stadium for the rest of their postseason run. No more snow, no more wind - just fast turf and big stakes.
Even if they stumble in the Big Ten title game, the Buckeyes are still seen as a lock for the CFP. But don’t expect this team to take their foot off the gas.
This group isn’t just chasing a playoff berth - they’re chasing a Big Ten title, something that’s eluded them since 2020. And with the way they’re playing right now?
They look like the most complete, most dangerous team in the country.
Ryan Day has heard the noise for years - the questions about toughness, the comparisons to Michigan, the pressure of The Game. But now, with that monkey off his back and a potential national title repeat within reach, he’s coaching with house money - and a team that looks every bit the part of a champion.