Uh oh. Ohio State is at it again.
The Buckeyes fell into a 7-3 deficit at home against unranked Michigan (6-5, 4-4 in Big Ten) after quarterback Will Howard threw an interception.
Wolverines defensive back Aamir Hall jumped Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate’s route on 3rd-and-8 deep in Buckeyes territory.
Hall intercepted Howard’s pass at the 13-yard line and returned it 11 yards to set Michigan up near the Ohio State goal line.
Michigan running back Kalel Mullings converted the turnover into six points with a one-yard touchdown run up the middle of Ohio State’s defense two plays later.
Michigan has won three in a row in arguably college football’s best rivalry but entered Saturday’s meeting as a 20.5-point underdog.
College Football Playoff No. 2 Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 in Big Ten) is a win away from clinching a berth in next Saturday’s Big Ten Championship Game against No. 1 Oregon (11-0, 8-0 in Big Ten).
With a loss, not only might Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spontaneously combust on live television, but it would open the door for either No. 4 Penn State (10-1, 7-1 in Big Ten) or No. 10 Indiana (10-1, 7-1 in Big Ten) to take its place against the Ducks.
Buckeyes fans don’t even want to think about that possibility, which felt remote before Saturday’s game began. Later in the second quarter, Michigan marched down and kicked a field goal, making the score 10-3.
Just before halftime, Ohio State responded with a much-needed touchdown drive to tie it up at 10-10.
