Jim Harbaugh said ‘Best Ohio State team we’ve played’ forced Michigan to get creative: Buckeye Breakfast

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michigan coach Jim Harbuagh said he and acting head coach Sherrone Moore knew a straightforward game plan would not beat Ohio State football’s defense.

So the Wolverines pulled out some creativity in the eventual 30-24 victory. Donovan Edwards’ halfback pass to tight end Colston Loveland was a back-breaker. They inserted backup quarterback Alex Orji for only his third appearance of the season, and he rushed for a 20-yard gain on his first snap.

Michigan built its 2022 victory on breaking off explosive touchdowns which exploited already known vulnerabilities in the OSU defense. Harbaugh said those were more difficult to identify this year.

“We wanted to be creative,” Harbaugh said on a teleconference previewing the Big Ten championship game against Iowa. “We felt Ohio State was very good defensively. This is, to me, the best Ohio State team we’ve played.

“Against the run, the coverage on the pass — they haven’t given up many big plays at all. We were able to get some explosive plays, but we knew we were going to have to be creative to get them.”

Considering Harbaugh also faced OSU’s 2019 team, which led the nation in total defensive behind Chase Young, Jeff Okudah and a handful of other NFL talents, that was high praise for Jim Knowles’ unit.

C.J. 3K

Credit Eleven Warriors contributor Matt Gutridge for this note. Until Sunday, no Ohio State quarterback had ever thrown for 3,000 or more yards in the NFL.

C.J. Stroud became the first when he threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns in the Houston Texans’ 24-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stroud has now thrown for 3,266 yards along with 19 touchdowns against only five interceptions. (He also added 47 yards and a touchdown on the ground.)

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 364 yards and a touchdown. After his prior longtime rivalry with Justin Fields, it appears Lawrence may have another with a former Buckeye QB in the AFC South.

Around the beat

What our colleagues who cover Ohio State football were saying in the aftermath of Saturday’s loss:

• Columbus Dispatch: “Analysis: Ohio State’s latest loss to Michigan cuts deep, ending Buckeyes’ title dreams”

• Eleven Warriors: “Ohio State defense didn’t make the plays it needed in second half vs. Michigan”

• Toledo Blade ($): “Briggs: Clock is ticking, but be careful running Ohio State coach out of town just yet”

• Lettermen Row ($): “Holbrook: Ryan Day facing harsh reality of third straight rivalry loss”

• Dotting the Eyes ($): “Sick feeling requires more serious look for cures from Ryan Day”

• The Athletic ($): “Another rivalry loss makes it clear Ryan Day can’t escape his Michigan problem”

Zinter update

Michigan’s fourth-quarter rushing success came after starting right guard Zak Zinter suffered a broken tibia and fibula. He underwent emergency surgery Saturday night.

Zinter posted on X.com Saturday night that “surgery went great.” Michigan will move forward without the first team All-Big Ten selection and preseason All-American.

Harbaugh went to the hospital with Zinter. That prompted him to renew calls for revenue sharing with college athletes on a conference call in advance of Saturday’s Big Ten championship game. He suggested players should receiver “at least minimum wage.”

“I’ve had people tell me, ‘Don’t say anything about that, that’ll take away money for the coaches,’” said Harbaugh, whose annual salary approaches $8 million. “I would take less money for the players to have a share. I hope other coaches would use their voice to express the same thing.”

Hoosier connection

Indiana fired coach Tom Allen after seven seasons, the last three of which saw Indiana crash back to the bottom of the Big Ten. His buyout was originally slated for over $20 million, but according to the Indy Star’s Zach Osterman, was negotiated down to $15.5 million.

Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye, an IU alum, was immediately mentioned on numerous short lists. The 40-year-old has never been a head coach, but previously served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Chip Kelly at UCLA. He also coached the offensive line at Temple and Boston College.

Frye’s late father, Kevin, was a high school football coach in Indiana. Frye told cleveland.com in 2022 that he endeavored to eventually run his own program.

New Spartans leader

Michigan State hired Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith to replace Mel Tucker Jr., who was fired earlier this season following sexual harassment allegations.

Smith was a four-year starting quarterback for the Beavers who rebuilt the program from 2-10 in his first season in 2018 to 10-3 last season and 8-4 this season. However, with Oregon State left on the wrong end of conference realignment musical chairs, leaving for a Big Ten position made a lot of sense.

Absurd & melodramatic?

Speaking of coaching openings, Texas A&M is reportedly hiring Duke coach Mike Elko. He served as recently fired Jimbo Fisher’s defensive coordinator from 2018-21. He went 9-4 and 7-5 in two seasons with the Blue Devils.

Turns out Urban Meyer knew what he was talking about when he dismissed rumors that A&M might try to grab Ryan Day if the Buckeyes lost The Game.

Key dates

Big Ten Championship game: 5 days, Dec. 2

Winter transfer portal opens: 7 days, Dec. 4

Early signing period starts: 23 days, Dec. 20-22

College Football Playoff National Championship: 45 days, Jan. 8, 2024

NFL Draft underclassmen entry deadline: 49 days, Jan. 15, 2024

Regular signing period starts: 73 days, Feb. 7-April 1, 2024

NFL Scouting Combine: 100 days, Feb. 27-March 4, 2024