Ohio State’s defense suffered a letdown at the worst possible moment: Andrew Gillis observations

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Ohio State’s goals of a national title likely ended with a 30-24 loss to Michigan on Saturday, and there were a bevy of reasons why.

Here are some postgame observations:

Ohio State’s defense, all season long, had been at least a big reason why the Buckeyes were 11-0 entering Saturday’s game.

But when the Buckeyes needed their defense to step up, they didn’t get the plays they needed, and when they needed them.

Michigan had nine possessions (not counting the game-ending kneeldown) and scored on six of its final seven drives. In the second half, the Wolverines scored on each of their four possessions. While the Buckeyes had the chance to take a lead in the second half had they found the end zone, allowing points each time your defense hits the field — especially considering that Michigan owned time of possession in the third and fourth quarters — is no way to win a football game.

Ohio State’s offense was sporadic all season long. There were issues, whether health or performance-related, at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and offensive line all throughout the year.

But the defense was the side of the ball that had no worries directed its way.

Sure, there were things to quibble with. But the defense had done its job remarkably well this season, and had yet to allow more than 17 points in a game. Against Michigan, the defense allowed 30. And though seven of those points came on a short field after an interception, the frequency of which Michigan scored at least a field goal made it nearly impossible for Ohio State to gain ground.

The defense isn’t solely to blame for the loss, as there’s plenty of finger-pointing to go around. But when the Buckeyes needed a stop, they didn’t get one. And that was from the unit they felt they could most rely on.

It felt as if Ohio State had flirted with disaster a handful of times this season on a handful of issues.

The run game wasn’t good enough, and eventually, someone would make the Buckeyes pay. Quarterback Kyle McCord would soon dance with the turnover devil once too many times, and it would hurt the offense. The special teams weren’t at the level they needed to be, and even a minuscule mistake or missed opportunity could end a game.

Saturday, it all came to fruition in some way shape or form.

McCord’s interception in the first quarter was a devastating blow, even if it didn’t seem as apparent early on. The run game struggled, and only averaged 3.8 yards-per-carry on the afternoon. Starting running back TreVeyon Henderson had 19 carries for 60 yards and a long of just eight yards.

And, while not perhaps an error like the ones that have plagued the team for a handful of games this season, the missed field goal at the end of the first half for Ohio State made things more difficult, and could’ve changed the game entirely in the second half. Instead, the Buckeyes missed a 52-yard field goal

On the final drive of the game, McCord didn’t have enough time to sit in the pocket as the Michigan front was able to pin their collective ears back and pass rush. On the game’s final meaningful play, where McCord threw an interception, he had to look at the aftermath of the interception while seated on the ground because Michigan’s defensive front beat Ohio State’s front five.

It felt fitting, in that regard, that so many similar issues burned the Buckeyes.

In 2021, Ohio State was bullied off the ball in a 15-point defeat. In 2022, Michigan made sure to burn the Buckeyes with explosive, back-breaking plays. And in 2023, Michigan simply won a close football game between two great teams.

But that last point shouldn’t be an any consolation to Ohio State fans. In fact, it should be a massive cause for concern.

If there was a team that was built to beat Michigan after the last two years, this felt like as good a group as any. The Buckeyes had the best player on the field in Marvin Harrison Jr. at receiver. They had a talented group of wideouts and running backs to go along with him, and both McCord and the offensive line had improved enough throughout the season to at least give some confidence headed to Ann Arbor. And most importantly, the defense was one of the nation’s best week in and week out.

As it turned out, none of that was enough to matter in a third-straight loss to the Wolverines.

For a myriad of reasons, Michigan has had Ohio State’s number in the last three years. Toughness, defense, coaching, explosive plays and a great offensive line all have been reasons to point to for the last three losses — just to name a few. And that’s not a comforting place to be for Ohio State.

There’s not a simple fix for why Ohio State lost on Saturday, even if Michigan is a playoff-caliber team. Because for as much has been made about Michigan’s rise in prominence since COVID, and that being the reason it has pulled ahead the last three years, Ohio State is in the same boat.

The Wolverines for the last three seasons have ended the season with game against a team in that week’s College Football Playoff rankings. And they’ve been able to earn wins each time out. The Buckeyes have not.