Ohio State and Michigan Had Proven Championship Blueprints, But Only One Turned Execution Into Glory During the 2023 Football Season
In the unforgiving world of college football, having a winning blueprint isn’t always enough. Execution, timing, and cohesion often separate those who hoist trophies from those who watch in frustration. The 2023 college football season was a powerful example of this reality. Both Ohio State and Michigan came into the season with similar tools: elite talent, physical dominance, experienced coaching staffs, and national title aspirations. But while Michigan rode its formula all the way to a national championship, Ohio State fell short, again, by the thinnest of margins. The contrast between the two programs wasn’t in roster composition or coaching acumen, but in how precisely they executed their blueprints when it mattered most.
Ohio State’s 2023 season was, on paper, a success. The Buckeyes finished the regular season with only one loss—yet again to their rivals in Ann Arbor. They had a top-five defense, a solid (if not spectacular) quarterback in Kyle McCord, and future NFL talent all over the field. They controlled most of their games with physicality and depth, and their defense under Jim Knowles was one of the most improved in the country. The Buckeyes looked the part of a title contender for most of the year. But in college football, “almost” means nothing, and for the third consecutive season, the Wolverines exposed just enough of Ohio State’s vulnerabilities to seize control of the Big Ten and the postseason path that comes with it.
Michigan’s 2023 blueprint was remarkably similar in philosophy, if not in branding. The Wolverines built their program around the trenches. Dominant offensive line play, a smashmouth run game, and a defense that suffocated opponents at the line of scrimmage were the cornerstones of Jim Harbaugh’s team. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy wasn’t asked to carry the team every Saturday. Instead, he played a controlled, mistake-free style that minimized turnovers and maximized third-down conversions. Michigan wasn’t flashy, but it was brutally effective. Each game played out like a symphony of control—slow the game down, wear the opponent out, and strike in high-leverage moments.
Ohio State, by contrast, had built its recent identity around elite skill talent. Even in 2023, with Marvin Harrison Jr. playing like the best receiver in the country, and Emeka Egbuka drawing top cornerbacks away from him, the Buckeyes still leaned heavily on the pass—even in situations where running the football might have yielded better results. Despite TreVeyon Henderson’s return to form in the second half of the season, the offensive line never quite imposed its will the way Michigan’s did. Third-and-short became a challenge. Goal-line situations were tense. In the moments when toughness and physicality defined outcomes, Ohio State too often leaned back on finesse and timing. It wasn’t that the Buckeyes lacked strength—they just failed to impose it consistently.
That difference became most apparent in The Game. Michigan entered with a purpose, despite the cloud of the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal and the suspension of Jim Harbaugh. It didn’t matter. The Wolverines stayed true to their identity: run the ball, dominate time of possession, keep McCarthy out of high-risk situations, and let the defense win battles up front. Ohio State, meanwhile, played well enough to win but made the same mistakes it has in recent matchups—turnovers, missed opportunities, and a seeming lack of urgency in the second half. Michigan didn’t out-athlete Ohio State. They out-executed them. And that’s what the best blueprints ultimately rely on.
But it’s worth noting that Ohio State’s blueprint wasn’t flawed—it just wasn’t followed to perfection. The Buckeyes had the personnel to win a national championship. Their defensive improvement under Jim Knowles was nothing short of dramatic. The linebacker play was tight, the pass rush more disciplined, and the secondary was reliable against even the most potent passing attacks. But where Michigan became more physical, more consistent, and more assured in its execution of complementary football, Ohio State often appeared to be in search of its own identity. Was it a smashmouth team? Was it a high-flying offense? Was it a defense-first juggernaut? It was all of these things at different times. But never all at once.
Michigan had an identity from Week 1 and never wavered from it. Their offensive line, once again honored with national accolades, created a buffer that allowed the Wolverines to play from ahead. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards delivered body blows over four quarters, and the passing game found rhythm only when it was absolutely necessary. That wasn’t a weakness—it was a design choice. Meanwhile, their defense—often overshadowed nationally by SEC stalwarts—was the engine that drove them. It kept opponents under pressure, forced them into bad decisions, and gave Michigan’s offense short fields to work with. This synergy between units is what makes blueprints work—not talent alone.
Ohio State’s talent is never in question. It wasn’t in 2023, and it won’t be in 2025 either. But until the Buckeyes develop a singular identity that can be leaned on against the best teams in the country, they’ll continue to leave national titles on the table. Whether that identity is built around defense, the run game, or some fusion of both, it must be cohesive. Winning championships isn’t about talent collection—it’s about synchronized purpose. Michigan understood that in 2023. Ohio State, despite every advantage, fell just short of embodying that truth.
The transfer portal and NIL era have only added to this complexity. It’s harder than ever to keep a program focused on the long term. But Michigan showed that even with distractions, a singular purpose can push a team through adversity. Harbaugh’s team faced controversy, scrutiny, and immense pressure. Yet, their preparation and belief in their style of play never wavered. They beat Penn State without their head coach. They beat Ohio State without overreacting to hype. And they won the national championship by playing the same brand of football they started the season with. That’s a complete season blueprint executed to perfection.
The lesson here for Ohio State isn’t to imitate Michigan’s blueprint, but to trust and commit to their own—whatever it becomes. If it’s physical football with a dominant defense and downhill running, so be it. If it’s an explosive offense supported by an opportunistic defense, fine. But the indecision in identity must end. One of the criticisms levied toward Ryan Day was that his offense seemed disconnected from the defense, as though the two were built by different coaching philosophies. In contrast, Michigan’s offense and defense were symbiotic—they played to each other’s strengths.
This blueprint philosophy also extends to player development. Michigan’s ability to develop three-star recruits into high-level starters is well-documented. Their offensive linemen often arrived with little fanfare and left as All-Americans. Ohio State, with its constant influx of five-star talent, sometimes leaned too heavily on raw talent over refinement. While players like Harrison and Egbuka were undeniable stars, other position groups like the offensive line and tight ends didn’t show the same leap in development. Michigan’s blueprint depended on growth. Ohio State’s seemed to assume dominance. That gap, in the most crucial moments, was exposed.
As the Buckeyes head into the 2025 season, everything they need to win is still there. Ryan Day has rebuilt his staff. The defense is elite again. The quarterback room is full of high-upside talent. The recruiting pipeline remains strong. But all of that means little without intentional execution. Michigan proved in 2023 that a blueprint works only when it’s consistent, repeatable, and unshakable in high-pressure moments. Ohio State’s 2023 plan wasn’t broken. It just wasn’t fully realized.
There’s no shame in coming close. But for a program with Ohio State’s history, fanbase, and expectations, second place is never enough. 2023 will be remembered as the year Michigan fulfilled its long-laid plan. For Ohio State, it must be remembered as the season that proved how close they are—while simultaneously reminding them that close doesn’t count.
The margin for error in college football is shrinking. And while talent, facilities, and resources matter, they’re no substitute for complete buy-in to a unified football philosophy. The Buckeyes have a winning blueprint. Now, in 2025 and beyond, they must finally follow it to the end.
