Mike Chiari @@mikechiari Featured Columnist IV September 7, 2024
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
After his No. 3 Texas Longhorns crushed the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines in a 31-12 road win on Saturday, quarterback Quinn Ewers acknowledged that he was glad to help out his former school in the process.
Ewers initially played at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, and he was asked after the win if it brought him happiness to take down OSU’s biggest rival:
Andy Staples @Andy_Staples
Quinn Ewers says he was happy to also help out the Buckeyes today. pic.twitter.com/GrBe2QW5tf
“Yeah, I mean, for sure. I understand the rivalry Ohio State has with Michigan,” Ewers said. “To kind of carry that along through the week, I understand how it goes, so it’s definitely cool coming back here because the last time I was here it didn’t end up going the team I was on’s way.”
As Ewers mentioned. Ohio State lost 42-27 to Michigan when Ewers was with the Buckeyes in 2021, although Ewers did not see any game action that year.
Last season, Michigan went undefeated and won the national championship, plus it beat Ohio State for a third consecutive year.
However, head coach Jim Harbaugh left to become head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, and several top players left for the NFL as well, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, wide receiver Roman Wilson and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.
There was hope the Wolverines would still be contenders under new head coach Sherrone Moore, but it became abundantly clear Saturday that they have plenty to figure out for the rest of the season.
One of the biggest question marks is quarterback, as Davis Warren struggled against Texas, throwing for 204 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss.
That was a far cry from what Texas got out of Ewers, who completed 24 of his 36 passing attempts for 246 yards, three touchdowns and no picks, while establishing himself as a potential Heisman Trophy contender.
With Ewers under center, the Longhorns reached the College Football Playoff last season as the No. 3 seed, losing to Washington in the semifinals.
Texas was expected to return to the CFP this season, especially since it has expanded to 12 teams, but Saturday’s performance suggests it may be a leading national title contender as well.
As for Ohio State, it is ranked No. 2 in the nation behind only Georgia thanks to a stacked roster that includes several returning stars, along with some high-profile transfers in quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins and safety Caleb Downs.
The Buckeyes have to be considered the clear favorites to beat Michigan when they meet later this season, and they look like the favorites to win the Big Ten as well.
Michigan will have plenty of time to try to get things right before the Ohio State game, which is scheduled for Nov. 30 in Columbus.
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