Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore said Ohio State's loss to the Wolverines renders OSU's national title "not a real win."
LAS VEGAS – Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore watched Ohio State win the College Football Playoff last season, but he regards the Buckeyes' national title with a bit of an asterisk.
“I congratulate them on the win,” Moore said July 24 during Big Ten media days. “But you know it's not a real win if y'all don't beat us.”
Michigan stunned Ohio State 13-10 as a three-touchdown underdog in Columbus before the Buckeyes regrouped to win the CFP.
“Yeah, for sure I was hoping they would lose,” Moore said. “But they won. They deserved it. They worked hard for it, so you can't take anything away from them.”
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said he didn't view OSU's championship with any kind of asterisk.
"They won the national title," he said. "They were the best team at the end of the year, so I give them all the credit that they get. They were well deserving. They played really well. Obviously, they won it all, so kudos to them."
Michigan was 6-5 entering The Game in November. The upset over Ohio State and then a victory over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl was a salve for a disappointing season following the Wolverines' 2023 national title. Now they hope it will serve as a springboard for 2025.
Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon are considered the favorites in the Big Ten this year, but Michigan believes it is ready to reassert itself.
“We went 8-5 last year,” linebacker Ernest Hausmann said. “That's not the Michigan standard, and we have to change some things because we can't do what we did last year.
“It's Michigan vs. everybody. We have to go back to basics. We have to go back to what we do as Michigan, what we hang our hats on. But it's a whole new roster. We have to find that early in the season.”
Michigan struggled last year mostly because of poor quarterback play. The Wolverines are hanging their hopes on freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, a five-star recruit. Sherrone Moore and Michigan players gushed about his talent and work ethic for a 17-year-old.
“Bryce is as good as advertised,” Hausmann said. “The thing that I'm really impressed about Bryce is the way he's mature beyond his years.
“You would never know that he's 17 years old, coming into a college program – five-star recruit, heavily recruited, high expectations – by looking at him or by talking to him.”
As Ohio State knows all too well, Michigan has won four straight over the Buckeyes, who dominated the rivalry for two decades.
“It means the world,” fifth-year senior tight end/fullback Max Bredeson said. “Everyone knows what that game means. Being able to win four straight definitely means a lot.”
Derrick Moore was told that Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah vowed last week not to lose to Michigan again in his college career.
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“I ain't really got a reaction to it,” he said. “All I can say is, 'See y'all in November.' ”
Michigan is awaiting the conclusion of the NCAA investigation stemming from the Connor Stalions' sign-stealing scandal. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti believes the Wolverines should not draw further sanctions.
Sherrone Moore said it's not a distraction for his team as it gets set to start training camp next week.
"Obviously, can't talk about that, but it's not hard because you're just so excited about what's going on and the program and the team," he said. "Our players just don't get distracted by all that. Our coaches don't get distracted by all that because you can't worry about stuff you can't control. All we're going to do is worry about what we can't control and go play."
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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at [email protected] and at
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Michigan player: OSU's title "not a real win' because of loss to UM
Category: General Sports