The Moment This Rivalry Changed
I cannot adequately express to you all what a wonderful weekend this was. Perfect I dare say. I even had dinner with my mother-in-law and I didn't mind. That sweet, old, weird bird.
As this endless positivity continues, I've been trying to get a sense for the EXACT moment when this rivalry changed (assuming you agree two in a row represents a change). Something has happened with this program. Some say it was the decision to start JJ. Others have talked about the rise of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Still others point to the conditioning and mental toughness of both our O and D-lines. All may be true at the same time.
For me, the moment Ryan Day threatened to "hang a hundred on us" and that Michigan "better hope for a mercy rule" -- that seemed to be the exact moment when something happened to this coaching staff. There was a "rage" leading up to the 2021 game. Not saying all the other reasons aren't true, as well. But the "hang a hundred" line seems to have changed the entire narrative.
Do you agree? What was your moment?
November 28th, 2022 at 10:50 AM ^
i think this moment made it pretty crystal clear:
November 28th, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
God damn that was a great moment. I remember laughing and crying at the same time.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:54 AM ^
I will always view Haskins dragging his massive nut sack across the back of that Buckeye's neck and back as the definitive turning point in this rivalry.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
This is the correct answer.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:00 AM ^
I wrote a long response highlighting this moment as it, too. Glad I'm not alone: it was the end of BPONE
November 28th, 2022 at 11:04 AM ^
The Josh Ross tackle on 3rd and short, then UM scores on 2 running plays.
Manball > Talking tough
November 28th, 2022 at 11:16 AM ^
For some reason that was the moment I knew we were gonna win, it just seemed like the kind of play that for a decade they always got the first down and then scored on a big play on the next down. The way I jumped up and screamed had everyone looking at me like I was crazy but it was worth it
November 28th, 2022 at 12:09 PM ^
Yep. That was the sequence in the Game last year.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
Hey XM, hope you're doing well!
An earlier thread asked which is better, last year's or this year's win, as great as last year was, beating them like that in their stadium is so huge, for example:
- 22 years it has taken and we beat them by 22.
- it hasn't felt that good since 1976 when we beat them by....22!
- all we heard before the game was how great they were and we spanked them so badly that it made them and their fans miserable.
- they, along with their fans seemed so overconfident, we knocked that chip off of their shoulders.
- Marvin Harrison is the greatest wr ever and hadn't dropped a pass all year yet he did against us and we pretty much held him in check.
- their players had so much bravado and acted tough after making one decent play here and there in the 2nd half especially and tried to intimidate us so often and it failed miserably.
- finally, they are a dirty and undisciplined team.
FUCK OHIO...MORE LIKE OH...NO!
November 28th, 2022 at 11:11 AM ^
am well, thank you. hope the same for you SDM
i won't ever and will never downgrade saturday's game - it was an A++, but last year, in the snow, in person, truly breaking the curse and doing so by shoving the ball down their throats was an A+++.
i could tell we were going to win last year in the second quarter. i pointed to the son i was with that the ohio kids on their bench looked miserable and disinterested. i was right.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:37 AM ^
- Marvin Harrison is the greatest wr ever and hadn't dropped a pass all year yet he did against us and we pretty much held him in check.
This is unbelievable. I did a quick Google search to verify but I take your word. He has 72 catches this year on 73 "catchable" passes? That is insane. Unfortunately he has another year in college before he can declare for the draft. I see he is a sophomore and I am guessing a true sophomore?
November 28th, 2022 at 11:40 AM ^
Mercenaries versus the Roman Legion.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
If there's any precise moment this is it.
Recall that this happened with just under three minutes to go in last year's game. Haskins had just reeled off a huge chunk run to set up the final touchdown. This came after OSU scored on 4th down by getting a pass juuuust over Aidan Hutchinson's outstretched fingertips. That touchdown to make it 35-27 carried a huge whiff of "here we go again" because we'd had a lot of games where we went toe-to-toe with Ohio and came up just short. Haskins blasting through the line a second time, showing OSU hadn't even learned from the play ten seconds ago, was it. That's the moment where it finally, definitely stopped being same-ol-same-ol.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:43 AM ^
For me it was the play after Haskins' leap, where he scored the TD untouched. As they pointed out on the radio broadcast, the Buckeyes backed off of Haskins and let him in with a little more than 2 minutes left in the game. It was highly unlikely they would have been able to keep Michigan out of the endzone. It was for a practical reason and not OSU giving up, but to me somehow it did feel like the latter.
November 28th, 2022 at 12:31 PM ^
Agree 100%. This was the moment for me, too. Gus Johnson has just gotten the following words out of his mouth (approximately): "Let's see if Michigan can respond to the Buckeyes here." The way he said, though, made it sound like he didn't think Michigan would, as if OSU had retaken all the momentum. The words were barely out of his mouth when Haskins blew through an enormous hole and bowled over several tacklers for a first down...and then some. I turned to a friend and said, "They've got this."
By the way, I like Gus, by and large, but what the hell is it with this "World Famous Ohio State Buckeyes" shit? His buildup this year as the Bucks were in the tunnel, waiting to come out, had the smell of only one team that mattered was going to be on the field...and it wasn't Michigan. The game was going to be all about what OSU was going to do to Michigan to make up for last year's game.
November 28th, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
I'd forgotten about that until you said it, but yeah, I had a similar "WTF" reaction to Johnson's "World Famous" intro line.
I remember thinking, "Wow, Gus, it's pretty early in the day for you to be sucking that hard. Pace yourself."
November 28th, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
The 2020 covid year and the doubt that set into the program and the comeback year of 2021 and building off of that now.
I agree that Cyan Day claiming they'll hang a 100 on us probably inspired the staff and players and the 3rd base comment became so apropos after Saturday's game.
November 28th, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^
Yes its taking hold! Well done Mick!
Cyan Day*
The exhaust port of the OSU Death Star.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
I think it was Coach Harbaugh concluding we needed a different tact to beat OSU and settling on his current approach to offense and adopting his brother's defensive mindset........and then having exceptional staff and players who are all pursuing the same vision as a team. By my way of thinking he is demonstrating some very good leadership qualities related to humility and conviction and having great people and doing what he can to serve them and also stay out of their way.
As a side note/example - after the game he was being interviewed but stopped to ensure JJ and Donovan were the ones getting the spotlight. That's leadership too and we are fortunate to have him leading this program.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
Haha, I said "Harbaugh you A-hole" while laughing when he ducked out from that reporter and let the players talk. He does it all the time. I dont blame him though, I wouldnt want to talk to those people either.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
I heard it was when people started buying Michigan jerseys in Ohio. Maybe I'm wrong though
November 28th, 2022 at 11:32 AM ^
I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:33 AM ^
I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:33 AM ^
I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:33 AM ^
I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:54 AM ^
Your point about "hang a hundred" - is certainly fair.
IMO, it was the decision that Aidan Hutchinson had to return - and, the attitude / motto of "What have you done to defeat the Buckeyes today?"
That culture - attitude - and effort, of the players and staff was the turning point.
The changes in Michigan's staff were also instrumental - younger, stronger at relating to the players, more effective communication, NFL schemes, etc.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
I think Harbaugh deciding to hire an NFL (Ravens) defensive coordinator changed everything. We were always trying to run the ball, so I think the defensive schematic changes made the biggest difference and put us ahead.
And I give a lot of credit to John Harbaugh for probably suggesting it and allowing Jim to poach his staff.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
I'd argue it was something that most of us did NOT see.
It's whatever changed Harbaugh between 2020 and 2021. Do you remember how he just seemed to hyper focus somewhere between those two seasons? He lost a bunch of belly weight, and just changed his demeanor. He spoke differently, moved differently, etc. I think it was whatever motivated THAT change. And I have no idea what it was.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
And I have no idea what it was.
Tough men overcome great times. Harbaugh is as tough as they come
November 28th, 2022 at 11:38 AM ^
mojo, I think this is the right answer. My own belief is that Harbaugh between 2017-2020 lost his way a little bit, maybe started listening to others and trying to be a version of what he thought it meant, or what others thought it meant, to be the "Michigan Football Coach" and got away from his core beliefs/philosophies. After the pandemic year and all the very bad things that happened that shortened season, he looked in the mirror, made the decision to be himself again no matter what anyone else thought, and here we go.
Or-and I'm being serious here-he either got on or went off his meds. What those are/were and for what condition, I have no idea. It was such a drastic change that I've always suspected this was the answer.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
I remember 2015 the Harbaugh that was passionate, had fire, getting penalty flags thrown on him. Doing crazy antics with recruits and doing the signing with the stars crap, which at first was landing big time players. It seemed like after losing to osu 2 or 3 times and not winning recruiting battles anymore that the pressure started to weigh on him. Not landing 5* QBs and RBs, 2018 that team was loaded and don brown let them down. Same thing in 2019. I think he hit a wall and so did the team.
The antics came to a stop and Jim got serious. Took the pay cut, ect.
John Harbaugh may be the reason Jim was able to get off the mat. Mike Mcdonald and Jesse Minter have been life savers and John is a big reason for that.
November 28th, 2022 at 7:52 PM ^
Completely agree with this. His passion and full attention and creativity have been amazing since 2020. He also seems to have the QB he really loves and it shows.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
There are a million moments that are available but to me it was when OSU punted on 4th-and-3 around midfield having nearly gotten all the way back from 1st-and-35. That's a situation where you could play to win or play not to lose and for the first time in recent memory OSU was the tight team that blinked. Whatever mystic they had left over from Tressel and Meyer was gone.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:58 AM ^
Not to be that guy, but he said that prior to the 2020 season, right? given that, I don't really think it can be "the moment" as we then had one of the worst seasons in Michigan history
My answer? I think it changed when Haskins had his huge run with a hurdle in the 2021 game. Listen to that one joyous scream (probably a woman?) that somehow rises above the rest...
When OSU scored the 4th down TD in the 4th quarter to make it an 8-point game, I wasn't concerned in the least. I remember thinking "that's fine, we'll just go score another TD on them". We had slayed BPONE and gained THAT type of confidence -- the confidence that we'd win, no matter what
When Haskins hurdled that fool, the universe began to shift. As we won in the snow, it shifted further. By the time we walked into the Shoe this year, our whole team was confident that they were the better team. When OSU again scored to make it an 8-point game in the 4th quarter, our whole team knew "that's fine, we'll just go score another TD on them"
One play later, Donovan was in the end zone
The runner-up moment might be the second CJ TD. I texted my friends "LOOK AT ME. I AM OHIO STATE NOW" -- because what started in 2021 continued in 2022
BPONE has a new home
And it's down south
November 28th, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
It changed when OSU named Ryan Day as head coach. As much as I hate Urban, his teams were physical in the trenches and the power spread rushing attack was a juggernaut.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:05 AM ^
I recall some reporting that as Harbaugh was filling coordinator/position coaching vacancies he began to ask perspective coaches to come to interviews with specific approaches to beat MSU and OSU.
Seems like that certainly was a mindset change to address the shortcomings of recent years.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
I think the mental shift that the team has seemed to take at the beginning of last year has been the difference. I don't know if that was a Sherrone Moore hire or Biff Poggi and his "out culture" idea but something changed in the Michigan mentality and it took a few games but part way through last year I started believing we were in every game until the clock hit 0 and I haven't felt that way in a decade.
November 28th, 2022 at 12:06 PM ^
Agree 100%. Something in the staff composition, exit of ‘me first’ people, and/or culture approach changed between 2020 and 2021. It only takes a couple of “moldy blueberries” to spoil the bunch as JH has said. The 2021 team showed far more grit in tough moments and post-game camaraderie than previous teams, and it carried over to this year with a new set of team leaders.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:07 AM ^
I think it was the terrible 2020 year that did it.
I think it was something about Harbaugh and I don't know if the comment you mentioned was the catalyst or not and tend to lean to the catalyst being the 2020 season overall.
Harbaugh was 180 degrees different at the BIG media days going into the 2021 season. It just seemed like after being so beat up from the 2020 season he took on that whole "win or die trying" and that's all we can do attitude. Harbaugh was locked in, engaging, but also sort of loose and relaxed.
I truly just believe it was the result of terrible 2020 that just made Harbaugh get back to basics and "let if fly" so to speak.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:10 AM ^
Harbaugh and his teams freaking feed on the underdog narrative ie Stanford vs USC. The moment 2020 happened and made the entire team and program an underdog with nothing left to lose was huge. Day only gave an already hungry underdog bulletin board material to focus on and rally around. Seems to be working.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:12 AM ^
In the August B1G press conferences in 2021, I remember Aidan nearly crying with passion about how much he wanted to beat osu, and then Harbaugh’s quote, “we are going to beat Ohio state, or we are going to die trying.” Those two incredible leaders of men articulated the focus and mentality that changed the trajectory of the rivalry and their program. God bless Aidan and Jim!
November 28th, 2022 at 11:12 AM ^
The first four drives of the second half of last year's game. Until then, that game could have ended up just like 2006, 2016 or 2018. We came out, scored twice, and stopped them twice to set up a win that would change everything. Those four drives get the monkey off our back and exorcise our demons.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:14 AM ^
Replacing Don Brown and becoming the Baltimore Ravens DC prep academy
November 28th, 2022 at 11:20 AM ^
On a side note: Here’s something I want opinions on.
Did 2018-2020 also change our culture/recruiting approach? In the past we focused on star power. Went out and got Shea, grabbed four and five star guys like DPJ, Dylan McCaffrey, etc. it blew up in our face. Shea was out golfing, guys like McCaffrey made some waves in the locker room, and guys like Charbonnet have indicated they were more in it for themselves than the team if the “I want a staff that won’t lie to me” is any indication.
Did Jim go, screw it let’s focus on team and have guys that want to be here?
November 28th, 2022 at 11:24 AM ^
The rivalry didn't change. We changed. After the COVID year and JH took the pay cut, there was a change inside the program. I am not there so I don't know what it was or how it originated. The improved play and beating OSU is the result of this.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:30 AM ^
JH called his brother?!
November 28th, 2022 at 11:27 AM ^
If it all started from "hanging 100", it was the "born on the third base" that got into Day's head and affects his decision making.
November 28th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
Honestly? The day we hired Mike McDonald. We didn't know it at the time, but him and now Minter are the difference in my opinion. We have the offense solved - let them rack up yards, and get those critical four point plays when they count. It's working
November 28th, 2022 at 11:34 AM ^
For this game, 'The Game', it was 'the game. Up until then, they'd had us pretty good, and though the squad showed tremendous potential, until you beat a team it's all talk. We didn't just beat them, we 42-27'd them.
BTW, I didn't realize they came out with 'Hang a hundred on them' tees. That was going to be up there with 'because I couldn't go for three', in Buckeye lore. I'm sure sales have cooled off, lol