At high noon on Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will invade the Big House to take on the Michigan Wolverines in the biggest rivalry game in all the land.
Since taking over as the head coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh has not been able to find a way to beat Urban Meyer and the hated Buckeyes.
But last year, the Wolverines almost got the job done.
The Buckeyes had the ball 4th and 1 in the second overtime when one of the most infamous plays in the history of the UM vs. OSU rivalry took place. Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett took the snap and attempted to run through the teeth of the Michigan defense. Barrett looked stuffed and the Wolverines defense was confident they got the job done.
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Unfortunately (for Michigan), the referee spotted the ball just over the line to gain, indicating the Buckeyes had earned the first down. After a review, it was determined that call on the field was too close to overturn and Ohio State kept the ball. One play later, the Buckeyes scored the game-winning touchdown to beat the Wolverines 30-27.
Michigan running back Karan Higdon was recently asked about “the spot” and he had some strong words.
From 247 Sports:
“I think everyone knows we definitely won that game,” Higdon said. “Hands down. But, it is what it is. I can’t change (it), no one can. That was on us to put it in the hands of the ref.”
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Higdon admitted he and his current Wolverines teammates use “the spot” play as motivation. He knows Michigan was the better team last season and that they gave away the game by making mistakes.
“We use it a lot, because you can’t leave no doubt,” junior running back Karan Higdon said. “We put the game in the hands of the referee, and that’s one of the worst things you can do. We’ve got to make sure we don’t make that same mistake this year.”
