Big Ten football is going through a changing of the guard

Last weekend, Big Ten football witnessed one of the most brutal beatdowns that Ohio State has ever seen. No one demolishes Ohio State like Michigan did — especially not in back-to-back years — yet that is what we saw on Saturday.

Michigan belittles Ohio State… again

Michigan football is a unique team right now. After a stunningly lousy season in 2020, the Wolverines have been reborn in the image of Jim Harbaugh: sound defense mixed with an aggressive rushing attack.

The Wolverines’ coaching staff is arguably the most efficient in the nation, and Jim Harbaugh himself just won Big Ten Coach of the Year today. Last year, Harbaugh was named the AP National Coach of the Year.

Since the start of the 2021 season — a season that Michigan was projected to finish 7-5 or 8-4 in — the Wolverines have a 24-2 overall record, two division titles, a Big Ten Championship, and a CFP appearance. This weekend, Michigan football could add another Big Ten Title and secure a second-straight CFP spot.

Changing of the guard?

Last year was a “down year” for Ohio State football. After dropping an early game to Oregon at home, the Buckeyes went on a massive winning streak and obliterated everything in their path. Ohio State headed into “The Game” with a 10-1 record and was a heavy betting favorite.

Michigan football — also 10-1 heading into the Ohio State game last year — was ranked No. 5 but had not looked all that impressive throughout the year. The Wolverines came ready to play, though, and dished out one of Ohio State’s worst losses in a long time: 42-27.

Still, if you really wanted to make excuses for the Buckeyes’ 2021 performance, you could. Yes, it was snowing, and sure, Ohio State players claimed to have the flu, but at the end of the day, Michigan football just had enough of losing to OSU.

That feeling apparently stuck around this year as the Wolverines again demolished Ohio State. Despite being an 8-point underdog, Michigan went into Columbus and beat Ohio State 45-23 — the program’s first road win over OSU since 2000.

Trending up or down?

Michigan football is about to play in its second-straight conference title game, now has more wins over Ohio State than any Big Ten team during the CFP era, and could obtain a second-straight CFP spot this weekend. On top of that, Michigan has the second-best record over the past two seasons and is 12-0 for the first time since 1997.

On the flip side, Ohio State will likely head to a New Year’s Six game and miss the playoff completely for the second-straight season. Despite taking over one of the best college football programs, Ryan Day now has a losing record against Jim Harbaugh. If Michigan wins this weekend, Day will have as many Big Ten titles and CFP appearances as Jim Harbaugh (2).

Ryan Day is a good football coach; I am not here to argue that. Jim Harbaugh is a better football coach, another thing I am not willing to discuss.

The last two years have spoken volumes about one man more than the rest: Urban Meyer.

The fact that Meyer was able to beat Michigan year in and year out at Ohio State is incredible, seeing as OSU is now getting blown out at home by the Wolverines in his absence.

Next year’s game could be more of the same

Big Ten football is going through a massive shift at the top right now. Michigan State is trending down, Penn State is trending up, Ohio State is trending down, and Michigan is trending up.

Most of this year’s Michigan and Penn State teams will be back next year. I expect both to finish at the top of the Big Ten next year, seeing as the Buckeyes are losing a lot of talent.

Michigan faces Penn State in Happy Valley, but Penn State plays Ohio State in Columbus. The Wolverines will host Ohio State and should be a bit better than OSU next year.

If everything continues to unfold like this, we will see Michigan surpass the Buckeyes for the No. 1 spot in the conference. We might even see Penn State overtake Ohio State as well. A lot is riding on Ohio State next year, but Michigan is clearly the top dog of Big Ten football and is here to stay.