Michigan football players move past Ohio State: 'We haven’t claimed anything'
Michigan football got over the hump and slew the dragon to the south in the form of the Ohio State Buckeyes. That has been enough for a program and a fanbase to exhale, but there is still work to do.
Michigan moves forward to Indianapolis and a Big Ten Championship tilt with the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday night. The 2021 Wolverines have been focused throughout the year on the task at hand, but this week will be a challenge for their ability to stay focused.
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“It’s something that we have to stress as a team because we did have a very good win for our program, but at the time we’re not champions yet,” third-year wide receiver Cornelius Johnson said. “We haven’t claimed anything, so we have to make sure we come out locked-in. Make sure you’re never too up about a win or down about a loss.”
The norm over the last several years is to drop a heartbreaker to the Buckeyes and then wait for a postseason destination. Michigan expected to be in the position it is, but now they have to put sudden preparation into action.
“It wasn’t the end of the season,” third-year defensive tackle Mazi Smith said. “A lot of times in the past [the Ohio State game] has been the last game we played. But now, we got another one. Now we’ve got to do what we need to do to beat Iowa.”
Despite grabbing the elusive win and celebration from other the weekend, Michigan is not satisfied. They are still chasing a perfect four-quarter performance.
“The sky’s the limit for all of us,” Smith said. “We all have a lot of talent, and we are working harder to home in on what we have to do better every day. The last game was the closest that we’ve played to perfection, but it still wasn’t perfect. There was a lot to clean up.
“So that’s what we’re striving for. Perfection.”
Michigan’s offense has been an example of multiple players stepping up to be ready for their moment. The detail-oriented approach has kept everyone on notice and prepared for when their number is called.
“That’s something that we stress as an offense,” Johnson said. “Our coach always tells us if you just continue doing your assignments well, the football gods will somehow work out in your favor. Even if you’re on a backside of a play you don’t think is coming to you or you don’t think you’re getting the ball on a certain play, just continue playing hard, practicing hard, and eventually, it will all come around full circle and you’ll get your time to shine. What you do in the dark is eventually going to find its way to shine on a national stage.
“We all know with team success will come individual recognition.”
Michigan football’s next stage comes Saturday in Indianapolis with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET. A win would put them into the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
