CBS Sports sends Michigan 'bugaboo' warning to Ryan Day to prevent Ohio State football disaster | Sporting News

Perfection is next to impossible in the sports world.

Ohio State is no exception.

A 13-10 loss to the Michigan Wolverines last November in the regular-season finale ruined a would-be trip to the Big Ten Championship game while handing the Buckeyes their fourth-straight head-to-head loss in "The Game" series.

Although the Buckeyes went on and won a national title to finally relieve their coach, Ryan Day, from the negative backlash surrounding him having yet to win a championship to that point, the Wolverines remain his sole hurdle he must win.

According to CBS Sports' Will Backus , this fall is the year things must turn in Day's favor regarding the rivalry.

Backus marked the game as the Buckeyes' season-definer, and for good reason: high stakes.

This year's matchup occurs Saturday, November 29, in Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Could it be anyone else?" Backus asked.

"Ohio State climbed to college football's mountaintop last season, but still stumbled against Michigan along the way.

The Buckeyes have now lost straight against their most despised rival and that streak is really the only bugaboo left haunting Ohio State coach Ryan Day." Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Backus shared a similar feat about Sherrone Moore's Wolverines, who finished 8-5 last season.

"Again, could it be anything else? Michigan lost five games last season and still beat Ohio State, extending its win streak to four in "The Game," Backus wrote.

"Now, with a revamped quarterback room following the addition of 2025 top recruiting prospect Bryce Underwood, and a defense that remains loaded despite some significant NFL departures." Backus said if the chips fall the Wolverines' way, a postseason berth and regular-season title could be up for grabs, as it likely should be for college football fans everywhere.

"Michigan is right back in the playoff mix," Backus wrote.

"Regardless of the other immense stakes, a win against Ohio State could be what the Wolverines need to push for an at-large CFP spot, at the very least." Of course, for Backus to be correct, a lot has to favor both teams with little room for error.

By August, many of those preconceived notions are going to become reality..

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