COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State didn’t just defeat Michigan on Saturday—they broke them. And they did it with one of the most dominant, demoralizing drives you’ll ever see in college football.
The 20-play, 81-yard masterpiece that consumed an astonishing 11 minutes and 56 seconds wasn’t just effective—it was psychological warfare. Starting with 5:06 left in the third quarter and ending with 8:10 left in the fourth, the Buckeyes essentially stole an entire quarter of football from the Wolverines.
“I think that drive broke Michigan,” explained Stephen Means on the Buckeye Talk podcast. “And the reason it wasn’t like it was explosive run and now Ohio State’s chilling. Explosive run, Ohio State’s chilling. Explosive run, little short pass. They were like, I’m getting three yards on first down. I’m getting six yards on second down. I’m getting a third and two and I’m converting it.”
The methodical nature of the drive made it even more demoralizing. This wasn’t Ohio State using superior athleticism to create explosive plays. This was Ohio State beating Michigan at their own game—imposing their will physically, play after play after play.
“That was something you would have expected Michigan to do to Ohio State, not the other way around,” Means added.
The drive featured 16 runs and multiple third-down conversions, with players like Bo Jackson, CJ Donaldson, and Isaiah West taking turns hammering away at Michigan’s increasingly desperate defense. Even quarterback Julian Sayin got into the act, scrambling for crucial yardage when needed.
Stefan Krajisnik noted the emotional impact on Ohio State fans: “That drive probably felt cathartic if you’re an Ohio State fan.”
What made this drive particularly special wasn’t just the outcome—a field goal that put the Buckeyes up three scores—but the message it sent. This wasn’t about running up the score; it was about proving a point in the most humiliating way possible.
“I think this drive was about proving a point,” Means said. “I don’t think they had to have a 20 play 81 yard 12-minute drive. I think if they wanted to go out there and run the score up, they could have ran the score up and it would have proven a point. I think this point cuts a little deeper. Yeah, cuz this is what Michigan does to you. And now you’re beating them at their own game.”
The drive showcased Ohio State’s complete offensive arsenal. There was Julian Sayin’s crucial scramble, made possible by excellent blocks from Tegra Shabola, CJ Donaldson, and Philip Daniels. There was Bo Jackson’s 13-yard run on third-and-two, sprung by a perfect block from Nate Roberts. There was Isaiah West’s 14-yard burst, created by pulling linemen Will Casmic and Tegra Shabola.
Throughout the drive, Michigan players became increasingly frustrated, engaging in post-whistle antics that only highlighted their inability to stop what was happening between the whistles.
“It felt like there were a lot of plays during this drive where Michigan was more active after the whistle had blown than after the ball was snapped,” Krajisnik observed. “Like how many times did a play get run and now like the refs are having to pull people apart.”
By the time Ohio State’s field goal sailed through the uprights, the game was effectively over—not just on the scoreboard but in the minds and bodies of a beaten Michigan team.
The 20-play drive wasn’t just a highlight of the game; it was a statement that will echo through this rivalry for years to come. Ohio State didn’t just win; they imposed their will in a way that will leave psychological scars that won’t soon heal.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
