I think we now know the answer to the question, “Would you rather beat Michigan and lose in the playoffs or lose to Michigan and win a National Championship?” As much as Buckeye fans detest Michigan, the glory of winning a National Championship removes the bitterness of a 13-10 loss the last Saturday in November.
Although we will never know for sure, the truth is the Buckeyes probably don’t win a National Championship this year without losing to Michigan. The loss clearly galvanized the team. Buckeye fans were devastated, disgusted, and rightfully took their frustrations out on a coach that assembled a phenomenal group of players and coached them like one mistake could cost them a fourth consecutive loss to Michigan. And when you are the better team and you play not to lose, sometimes you…
In past years, a loss to Michigan would have sealed OSU’s fate for a disappointing season. Just go back to last year’s performance in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri…WTF. This year a different story in the Cotton Bowl and beyond.
This year with the new 12-team playoff (heading to 16 teams), the Buckeyes lose to Michigan and what’s the penalty? They don’t play in the Big Ten Championship game. Instead, they get healthy and rested and most importantly come together as a team and refocus and rededicate themselves to a National Championship run.
Had they squeaked out a victory versus Michigan, perhaps the coaches delude themselves into believing their close to the vest strategy is working. Do they then go on to beat Oregon in the Big Ten Championship? Perhaps. And then get a bye in the National Championship Playoffs providing an easier path to a title? All four teams receiving byes this year lost. Maybe having a little momentum is more valuable than a week off.
Give Coach Day credit, the loss was the slap in the face he needed to trust the talented players he had amassed. The coaches and players used the loss for what it was: a wake-up call to become the team they had it in them to become—National Champions.
So what does this outcome mean to The Rivalry? It means The Game is less important. There will be years when The Game is played where it is clear that both OSU and Michigan are headed to the College Football Playoff whether they win or lose The Game. In fact, had OSU beat Michigan this year, it was possible OSU and Oregon could have played three times (a 2nd time in the Big Ten Championship and a 3rd in the College Football Playoff). Not too hard to imagine a scenario where Michigan and Ohio State are the two top dogs in the Big Ten. In that scenario how important is The Game? How important is the Big Ten Championship? It’s all about who wins the third time. Imagine losing two out of three times to your arch-rival (sworn enemy) and still being crowned National Champion. That’s the new reality.
Michigan fans can be snarky (count me among them) and will remind OSU fans that even in this Championship Season, Michigan won The Game. Had they played three times this year, OSU likely wins twice. The Buckeyes were the far superior team and a deserving National Champion. Perhaps it just took a little help from your sworn enemy to get there.