Against an excellent Michigan defense, the Ohio State offense struggled for much of game. This was largely because of inconsistency passing and unwillingness to persistently rely upon Curtis Samuel and J.T. Barrett in the run game.

Michigan mixed and matched a 4-3 over with an odd front. In the secondary, the Wolverines often featured two deep safeties with one rolling down at the snap, primarily playing man cover 1. The Wolverines frequently slanted to the tight end – particularly if the tight end was to the boundary – with the Michigan linebackers and secondary then aggressively looping and filling the field edge.

Ohio State had a strong opening drive by threatening the boundary edge with power read. Barrett could then keep behind the Michigan linebackers flowing in the same direction as the boundary slant.

Ohio State also mixed quick game throws to Noah Brown. But after a missed field goal, the offense stalled, gaining only 21 yards on its next four drives. Ohio State was saddled with horrific field position. Six drives started inside the twenty – including three inside the ten. Ohio State struggled to dig out of this hole – primarily because of an inaccurate early down passing game, as Barrett missed open throws.