Buckeyes turning 'shockwave' rivalry loss into Rose Bowl, offseason fuel
COLUMBUS — The rivalry clock has been reset, and there’s nothing Ohio State can do to change the outcome last month.
But the Buckeyes are already getting tired of hearing about the loss to Michigan, and the frustration is quickly being turned into motivational fuel — for both next season and the Rose Bowl.
The suggestions that Ohio State isn’t tough. The finesse label from a Michigan coordinator, the needling from Jim Harbaugh and the low-blow from an alum during the Heisman Trophy ceremony. The reminders of the score in The Game — plus the simple fact the Buckeyes lost a winning streak and a shot at a championship.
That’s all piled up in just a couple weeks for Ohio State. And after a handful of practices back in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, it’s clear the Buckeyes are already counting down the days until they get a shot to make it right.
“I would just tell them: Go ahead, enjoy it — enjoy it for a year,” Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. “I don’t know if they’re going to get the opportunity to say that stuff and chirp all they want after next year.
“You know, we’ll be ready come that Saturday in November next year.”
The Buckeyes obviously still have half a month of practices in December ahead of them before a New Year’s Day battle with Utah. But there is no mistaking the annoyance and renewed sense of energy around Ohio State after Michigan earned the bragging rights in the Big House.
There were no excuses made as the Buckeyes gathered for a Rose Bowl media session before practice on Wednesday, and they fully acknowledged that they weren’t the better team on that particular day. But they also vowed to do everything they can to prevent it from happening again — and are already in the process of doing so.
“I think we’re definitely a little pissed off,” Sawyer said. “It was a little shockwave to our team — and maybe we needed it. I think it kind of sparked us.
“We’ve been practicing a lot more physical, a lot of more aggressive and just getting back to the fundamentals of things. I think you’re going to see a good football team come January 1.”
That’s one mile-marker of many on the road back to the next shot in the rivalry.
And while the Rose Bowl has the attention of Ohio State, it’s the loss in The Game that is fueling the trip.
