“JIM ROME CLAPS BACK: Tells Michigan’s Derrick Moore ‘It Definitely Was a Real Win’ After Ohio State’s National Title Triumph”
There are times in sports when rivalry fuels not only competition but also the commentary that surrounds it. One such instance came when Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore appeared to take a not-so-subtle swipe at Ohio State’s national championship victory. Whether it was a genuine belief or simple Big Ten trash talk, Moore’s implication that the Buckeyes’ title wasn’t entirely legitimate set off a firestorm of reactions. But no reaction was louder, sharper, or more definitive than the one delivered by veteran sports radio host Jim Rome. Known for his unapologetic takes and unwavering conviction, Rome didn’t mince words when he addressed Moore directly on his nationally syndicated show: “Let me set you straight, my man. It definitely was a real win.” That sentence alone sent shockwaves through college football circles, stirring the pot of a rivalry already boiling with animosity.
Ohio State’s journey to the national title in 2025 was anything but a fluke. The Buckeyes didn’t back their way in. They didn’t luck out. They didn’t ride an easy schedule or get help from a controversial call. They ran the gauntlet. In a playoff format that demanded perfection and poise, they toppled four top-7 teams en route to the crown. The victories were decisive, the performances dominant, and the accolades widespread. From Ryan Day’s strategic brilliance to Jeremiah Smith’s breakout stardom, everything aligned when it mattered most. The Buckeyes earned every inch of that trophy, and to imply otherwise is not just disrespectful—it’s inaccurate.
That’s the message Jim Rome hammered home with the kind of force only he can deliver. Rome has built a career on calling it as he sees it, often polarizing, always passionate. When Moore’s comments began making the rounds on social media and sports blogs, Rome wasted no time going to the airwaves and addressing it directly. “Derrick Moore, you had a great season, your team had a hell of a year, and you’ve got a bright future,” Rome began. “But don’t sit there and try to discredit what Ohio State did. That’s not just rivalry talk—that’s a weak take.”
Rome’s response struck a nerve because it wasn’t just about Ohio State or Michigan—it was about honoring the integrity of the game. Every year, countless athletes sacrifice their bodies, their time, and their sanity to chase the dream of winning it all. When a team like Ohio State does it the hard way, through a slate of playoff giants, dismissing that achievement is more than petty—it’s an affront to competition itself. And for Rome, a figure who has covered generations of college football lore, that crossed the line.
Of course, Moore’s remarks weren’t made in a vacuum. The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is arguably the fiercest in college sports. The stakes are always sky-high, and the emotions run deeper than most fans outside the Midwest can even comprehend. For the last few seasons, Michigan had enjoyed the upper hand, winning three straight against the Buckeyes, ending Ohio State’s dominance from the previous decade. But that pendulum swung back violently in 2025. Ohio State not only defeated Michigan in a dramatic November showdown, but they also used that momentum to fuel a historic playoff run. That shift in power, from maize-and-blue to scarlet-and-gray, has been tough to swallow in Ann Arbor—and Moore’s comments reflected that simmering frustration.
Still, for Jim Rome, no amount of rivalry justification could excuse undermining what Ohio State accomplished. “This wasn’t a case of backing into the title like a car into a tight parking spot,” Rome quipped. “They beat the best teams in America. They lined up, strapped up, and took everybody’s best shot—and came out holding the trophy. That’s real. That’s as real as it gets.”
Rome’s comments quickly went viral, igniting a new wave of back-and-forth between Ohio State and Michigan fans online. Buckeye supporters hailed Rome as a truth-teller, a voice of reason in the noise of rivalry hysteria. Michigan fans, meanwhile, dug in deeper, defending Moore and questioning Rome’s motives. But regardless of fan allegiance, the moment highlighted just how much weight Ohio State’s championship carries in the broader landscape. It wasn’t just another title—it was a resounding statement.
There’s also an unspoken context to Rome’s tone. The 2025 season was a proving ground for Ryan Day. After three consecutive losses to Michigan, criticism reached a fever pitch. Some wondered if Day could ever reclaim the rivalry, let alone win the big one. But not only did he deliver a rivalry win on the road—he followed it by engineering a playoff run for the ages. In doing so, Day silenced the doubters, quieted the hot takes, and earned a redemption arc worthy of a documentary.
Players like Jeremiah Smith, Quinshon Judkins, and Sonny Styles became household names over the course of that run. Every game felt like a title fight, and every Buckeye punch landed with intent. Whether it was the surgical destruction of Washington, the tactical brilliance against Alabama, or the ultimate exclamation point over Georgia, the Buckeyes didn’t just win—they imposed their will. That level of excellence commands respect. For Moore or anyone else to cast aspersions on that feat is to ignore the evidence laid out on the field.
Rome’s role in all this, while external, is emblematic of how influential media voices can shape narratives. His defense of Ohio State wasn’t just about sticking it to a Michigan player—it was a broader stand for giving credit where it’s due. In an age of instant takes and viral soundbites, Rome’s words carried the weight of someone who’s seen enough to know when greatness has occurred. And by declaring Ohio State’s title “definitely a real win,” he cut through the noise with clarity.
What remains to be seen is how this moment will affect the rivalry moving forward. Will Moore use the criticism as fuel for his 2025 season? Will Jim Harbaugh—or whoever’s at the helm in Ann Arbor—publicly back Moore or pivot away from the controversy? Will Ohio State’s players respond in kind, or will they simply let their rings do the talking? What’s certain is that the next Michigan-Ohio State clash just got even juicier. As if the stakes weren’t already monumental, the added tension from this exchange only raises the temperature.
The power of rivalry in college football lies in its permanence. Coaches may come and go, players cycle through, but the pride, resentment, and passion remain entrenched. What Jim Rome did with one fiery monologue was crystallize a moment that exemplifies why this rivalry is so captivating. It’s not just about one game, or one year—it’s about legacy, identity, and validation.
Moore may well walk back his comments in the coming weeks. Or he may double down. But no matter what he says next, the echo of Jim Rome’s words will linger. For Buckeye fans, it was a moment of vindication, a national voice putting his stamp on a championship run that had already spoken volumes on the scoreboard. For Michigan fans, it was another chapter in the endless back-and-forth of pride and provocation.
In the end, that’s what makes college football electric. The emotion. The debate. The legacy. But at the heart of it all is the game itself—and what happens between the white lines. In 2025, Ohio State didn’t just win the games they had to. They won them in emphatic fashion. And no amount of doubt, shade, or smack talk can rewrite what the scoreboard already declared: national champions. Real ones. Undeniable ones.
So when Jim Rome told Derrick Moore, “Let me set you straight, my man. It definitely was a real win,” it wasn’t just a response—it was a closing argument. And for Ohio State, that argument ended with confetti falling, a trophy raised high, and a championship legacy that no voice—however loud—can erase.
