[Editor’s Note: From now until Big Ten Media Days, we’ll be reaching into The-Ozone’s 23 years worth of archives and each day we will be posting a story from yesteryear. Big moments, small moments, big games, bigger games, and the random recruiting updates about guys you haven’t thought about in a decade or two.]
November 26, 2016 | The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1) defeated the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (10-2, 7-2) by a 30-27 score in double-overtime. It was an instant classic that even Michigan fans have grown to love and revere for its sportsmanship, drama, and quality Midwestern officiating. There were many key moments in the game, but perhaps none more significant than JT Barrett clearly and obviously converting a fourth down by several millimeters in order to keep a game-winning touchdown drive alive. Had he been stopped, Michigan would have won. He wasn’t stopped, however, as replay plainly showed. Following the game, Jim Harbaugh spoke with the media and talked about his disappointment in the officiating. To this day, Harbaugh is the lone holdout among the Michigan faithful who believe that JT Barrett was short. The rest will freely acknowledge — many without even being prompted — that Barrett clearly picked up the first down and the Buckeyes were just the better team that day. The following video was shot by John Porentas. — TG
COLUMBUS — Following Ohio State’s 30-27 win over Michigan in double overtime, Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke with the media and shared his feelings regarding the officiating. Overall, he was not very happy with the way the game was called.
