No. 3 Ohio State came into its game against Michigan as 16-point favorites.
After surviving a furious Wolverines rally, the Buckeyes left as one-point victors.
Two of college football’s fiercest rivals staged an absolute classic in Ann Arbor, Mich., as the Wolverines (7-5) used an inspired offense to push the Buckeyes (12-0) to the brink of a huge upset.
It all came down to one play. In the end, Ohio State found an answer to secure a much-needed 42-41 victory and, in turn, stay alive in the race for a national title.
Here’s what we learned from Ohio State’s closer-than-expected win.
Brady Hoke Is…Gutsy
Trailing 42-35 with less than a minute to go, Devin Gardner found Devin Funchess in the end zone from two yards out for the score
The extra point would have tied the game, but Brady Hoke wanted none of that.
After an Urban Meyer timeout, Hoke called a familiar play for Michigan’s two-point conversion attempt. The Wolverines stacked three receivers on the right side of the field, and Gardner was looking for Drew Dileo underneath.
Ohio State was ready, though, and Tyvis Powell jumped the route and picked off Gardner’s pass to preserve the win.
Even though the play wasn’t successful, it showed Hoke has no problem pulling the trigger on a game-changing decision when others wouldn’t.
Continue Reading: Ohio State vs. Michigan: 10 Things We Learned in Buckeyes’ Win
