The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503142
THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 29 rone Moore utilize all those weapons? How does he create mismatches? How does he create confusion, pre-snap and post-snap, to change things up so it's not the same game plan as it was in The Big House in 2021, it's not the same game plan as it was last year. "It's what's new this year, and how do you confuse this de- fense? I have all the co n f i d e n ce i n t h e world with the com- ponents they have in place, and a dominant offensive line, that it's exactly what's go- ing to happen." Fired-Up Buckeyes, Tail-Kicking Wolverines Donahue knows how badly Ohio State wants the next one, in part fueled by Michigan's postgame party in Columbus. "You know what pissed off Ohio State people most of all?" he offered. "Planting the flag on the logo at midfield, and all of this sort of thing. I think Ohio State fans think that Michigan has been really cocky over the last two years, and they think they've dominated the series, but when you really look at it, since 2000, Michigan has won four times, and Ohio State had that long winning streak under Urban Meyer. That's what's under the skin of the Ohio State people, most of all. Michigan has won the last two years and they think they've dominated the series. "That's not the case. It's Ohio State's turn to end that and get this two-game losing streak stopped. Ryan Day is 45-6, but two losses to Michigan, a national championship game loss to Alabama, two semifinal losses, and they should have beaten Georgia last year. That game was taken from them. And he's under pres- sure? You've got to be kidding." At the same time, Donahue and all OSU followers understand the threat a throw- back new-era Michigan poses going for- ward under Harbaugh. "I think it's on," Donahue assured. "As long as Harbaugh is on that sideline, right? Harbaugh is kind of misunder- stood for a lot of us on the outside. He says all the right things, i n r i v a l r y w e e k . Last year he said he couldn't wait to take a team into Columbus. "But he grew up with this game, with Bo Schembechler. He was a q ua r te rba c k and a captain who beat Ohio State a cou- ple of times. Good Ohio State teams, by the way — really good. "You know where the rivalry is get- ting back where it used to be? Michigan is back in Ohio again, fighting with Ohio State for elite players. When you look at this rivalry, Desmond Howard — Cleve- land. The one that really hurt, Charles Woodson — Fremont. Bo brought all these Ohio guys in. Ed Shuttlesworth, he's an Ohio guy back in the day, great running back. "When Ohio guys are hurting Ohio State with Michigan uniforms on, that is killer. That's where this rivalry gets under the skin of Ohio State people, most of all. When Ohio guys are wearing Michigan uniforms, killing the Buckeyes. You had Howard, hello Heisman, and the great call on the Woodson punt return in '97." For Jansen, it's an old feeling flooding back. He doesn't want to see it end any- time soon. "As a fan, as an alumnus, I love the fact that we're kicking their ass," Jansen said. "That creates momentum. It creates con- fidence, whether you're in Columbus, whether you're in Ann Arbor. It is going to be a fistfight, and Michigan is going to kick your ass. "I love it. Ohio State, they are worried. They are worried that they may have an- other coach that's following in the foot- steps of John Cooper. A coach that has a ton of talent — the most talent in the country — that does a great job of beating every other team, but can't find a way to beat Michigan. I absolutely love the fact that they are a team that's going into that game 10-1, 11-0. "Ryan Day is a really good football coach. He's a great recruiter. He's doing a great job. At any other program, they would give extension on extension. In Columbus, they're worried he can't get the job done against Michigan, and I ab- solutely love it!" ❑ "When Ohio guys are hurting Ohio State with Michigan uniforms on, that is killer. That's where this rivalry gets under the skin of Ohio State people, most of all." JED DONAHUE, PA SPORTS NETWORK BROADCASTER WHOSE UNCLE PLAYED FOR WOODY HAYES AND WHO ATTENDED HIS FIRST OSU-MICHIGAN GAME AS AN 8-YEAR-OLD IN 1968 Last fall, U-M wide receiver Cornelius Johnson scorched Ohio State with 4 catches for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns (69 and 75 yards) in Columbus. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL