Mazi Smith to Michigan defense: 'Hold up your end of the bargain' vs. OSU

Michigan football will suit up for the final time this regular season on Saturday when it heads to Columbus for a showdown with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Senior defensive tackle and captain Mazi Smith was part of a group that found a way to beat OSU last year.

The expectation is that they will bring their A-game again against their hated rivals. Experiencing victory helps take some pressure off.

“We just know what it takes,” Smith told the media on Monday. “I think, no matter the game, we want to play our best game. We strive for greatness every play, every game. We got to show up in practice first. And I just think that throughout the week, everybody knows how seriously we’ve got to take it. Everybody knows that we’ve got to prepare the right way if we want to go out there and play the right way. 

“And something I try and tell certain people when they ask, you don’t ever want to be the reason [it does not go well]. You want to make sure you hold up your end of the bargain and make sure the people next to you are holding up theirs. And if everybody does that, we’ll come out happy.”

The message to Michigan players is simple. They know they are made for this game and have been up against it before. Now, the work gets put in.

“Understanding that there’s no moment too big,” Smith said. “If you’re here playing in this game, you’re supposed to be here. You put the work in and the people around you trust you. Everybody got to know that. And I think everybody does.”

How Michigan knows what the tone will be

Smith will be one of the tone-setters that takes the field on Saturday for Michigan. He says that he knows within the first 2-3 plays of a game what the day will look like.

“I’m just looking at the O line,” Smith said. “I look at how they pass block and how they run block. I’m looking at if they get movement or don’t. Loking at if they get stopped or don’t. I’m looking at perimeter plays, I’m looking at downhill plays, I’m looking at what type of pass plays they run.

“And it’s actually pretty hard to get a good beat on who somebody is through tape. You’ve got to go out there, play the first three downs, either get a three-and-out or let them get a first. See where it goes. We’ll see what it turns into from there.

“For me, personally. If I’m putting my hands on somebody and they’re going backwards, we’ll be all right. 

This will be another edition of The Game where legacies are on the line. Last year means nothing to the current group. Michigan wants to add another to the resume.

“We’re looking to get another year. Another win. It’s important. It was cool. But it’s a different team doing different things. Can’t focus on the past. Can’t win this game looking back. 

“That’s really for the fans. Really for the people who didn’t play here.”