The Michigan Wolverines hired Jim Harbaugh to win “The Game”, delivering this program the victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes that it desperately sought. On Saturday, the best rivalry in college football delivered a finish for the ages.
Taking the field at Michigan Stadium as the underdogs, many expected Harbaugh to lose the coaching battle against Ryan Day. Considering the Wolverines cost themselves against in-state rival Michigan State, beating one of the hottest teams in college football seemed unlikely.
With the snow falling down and one of the best stadiums in football, Michigan came out firing. A 10-play, 75-yard drive was capped off with a 14-yard score by A.J. Henning. Ohio State came roaring back, leading 10-7 late in the second quarter.
Everything changed in the second half. The Wolverines returned to pummeling Ohio State with the rushing attack, leading to consecutive touchdowns by Hassan Haskins. On the other side, Aidan Hutchinson stole the show with a performance for the ages and a Michigan record for sacks.
Ohio State answered, making it a one-score game with under five minutes to play. But the Wolverines turned to Haskins one last time and Michigan Stadium erupted as his fifth touchdown sealed the 42-27 victory.
The Wolverines are celebrating and Harbaugh can finally get the proverbial monkey off his back. After five consecutive losses to the Buckeyes in the Harbaugh era, Michigan is victorious over Ohio State for the first time in 3,563 days and likely just earned a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
As the final seconds ticked away, the college football world reacted to the monumental game.