Buckeye Quarterback Says Beating Michigan Is Top Goal In 2023

Ohio State's presumed starting quarterback is entering his third season in Columbus, and he's yet to experience a win over the Wolverines.

After a long stretch of dominance over the Michigan Wolverines, the Ohio State Buckeyes haven't tasted victory in what is arguably the greatest rivalry in all of sports since 2019. The shortened COVID season prevented Michigan and Ohio State from meeting in 2020, and the Wolverines have beaten the Buckeyes convincingly over the last two meetings in 2021 and 2022.

Although Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has an impressive overall record of 45-6, his losing record of 1-2 against Michigan is a borderline fireable offense in Columbus. With the rivalry shifting back to Ann Arbor this season, it's safe to say that everyone at Ohio State is already preparing for the matchup on Nov. 25 - including presumed starting quarterback Kyle McCord.  

Entering his junior season at Ohio State, McCord has never experienced a victory over Michigan.

"It's more than just a football game," McCord told ESPN. "It's something you live 365 days a year if you come here. It was a surprise when we lost to them my freshman year, and I think it woke a lot of people up. Last year we were confident going into the game. I think we had a good game plan. We knew what we wanted to do in terms of offensive scheme and where we wanted to attack them on defense. To come up short again really makes you take a step back and say, 'We've got to change our approach and some of the things we're doing.'

"I think everybody has a clear vision of what it's going to take to win, because obviously the last two years we haven't done enough to do that. I can say with confidence, I think that's the No. 1 goal in every person's mind in the building every single day we walk in is to beat them."

Of course, the Wolverines have no intention of relinquishing their grip on the rivalry anytime soon. Michigan returns over 80 percent of its production from the 2022 season, including a veteran quarterback in JJ McCarthy, the best running back duo in the country with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, an NFL-caliber offensive line, and a defensive unit that should be a top-five unit nationally. 

In fact, there are several Wolverines who put their NFL dreams on hold for another year in Ann Arbor. While beating Ohio State again is certainly a big reason for that, the ultimate goal for this group of Wolverines is to capture the biggest prize in college football - a national championship. 

During a recent episode of "Those Who Stay", veteran offensive lineman Zak Zinter explained why he returned, while laying out specific goals for the 2023 season. 

"There was a lot that went into my decision to return," Zinter said. "When I talked with Blake [Corum], Trevor [Keegan] CJ [Cornelius Johnson, we all decided that we wanted to come back and win this thing and do it together.

"We want to beat Penn State, Michigan State and Ohio State again; win the Big Ten again and we want to make that next step — win the bowl game and win the national championship."

The next chapter. Back in the Big House. We're ready!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/JcmYkOUbEo

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) May 15, 2023