CJ Stroud discusses state of Ohio State-Michigan rivalry

Ohio State has dominated Michigan in recent memory. In the 21st century, the Wolverines have only beaten their biggest rival four times. Their win over a CJ Stroud-led Ohio State team in 2021 snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Buckeyes. Now, Stroud has opened up on the state of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

“It’s always a rivalry,” said CJ Stroud. “To me, I mean. I don’t care, we beat them 100 times and they beat us. It doesn’t really matter.”

“At the end of the day, I wouldn’t say it’s like bad blood off the field. But, in the sense, it’s two great traditions on both sides. Two great programs and great players on both sides that both have dudes in the NFL doing it now. So, I mean, it’s respect both ways, but at the same time it is a war.”

So, for CJ Stroud, there is a certain level of respect when he plays Michigan. He knows that they’re a great team, full of talent. At the same time, it’s incredibly important to win this game year-in and year-out. In many cases, this game is what decides the Big Ten East.

In 2022, CJ Stroud and Ohio State will get to host Ohio State to finish the regular season.

Losing to Michigan isn’t acceptable for Ohio State

During Big Ten Media Days, Ohio State coach Ryan Day made it clear that 2021 was a failure of a season. In no small part, it was a failure because the Buckeyes lost to the Wolverines.

“So, you know, maybe some places 11-2 with a Rose Bowl victory is a good year. It isn’t at Ohio State. So, our three goals are to beat the team up north, win the Big Ten Championship, and win a national championship. That’s the goal and those three things didn’t happen last year. So, that didn’t change this year, next year, or the year before,” Ryan Day explained.