Losing is unacceptable for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Losing to Michigan? Beyond unacceptable. Losing three straight against Michigan? Call for security measures.
A 30-24 loss in the Big House to a Wolverines team without head coach Jim Harbaugh, their best offensive lineman, Zak Zinter, who went out with an injury, and so much more adversity means doom in Columbus. Early on, the signs were a bit troubling until the Buckeyes fought back with valiant effort.
It wasn't enough, and now, with their playoff hopes all but over, the Buckeyes will likely look towards another bowl game to see if their players go off on a high note while Michigan heads to Indianapolis to face Iowa for a Big Ten title and a shot at the College Football Playoff.
Let's take a look at three folks who deserve the most blame for this catastrophic failure
3. QB Kyle McCord
Where do we begin? The first interception? It's rough, but shrug it off and move on. For the most part thereafter, McCord was flawless against the Wolverines. Granted, having Marvin Harrison Jr. on the roster certainly helped matters, but still, respect. That is, until, he threw a game-ending interception that will still live on in the minds of the folks in Columbus.
For much of this season, McCord has always had his doubters, despite having a perfect record as a starter until this game. But winning normally solves problems and eases tension. Not in this game, not a loss to that team or "The Team Up North".
Even if McCord was to go into another New Year's Six Bowl Game and win, this loss will forever sting on his legacy. There is no going back from this. Such a shame that a kid has to deal with the same blame his head coach is going to be feeling for eternity.
2. CB Denzel Burke
First things first. It was a touchdown. Sorry, but that's just what it is. Ohio State fans can weep all they want, but it was a touchdown. That said, can Denzel Burke guarantee another win? After all, he did have the audacity to open his mouth and "guarantee" a victory.
Well? Anything he would like to say?
Yes, three solo tackles and five total tackles is not a bad stat for a cornerback, but given what he did prior to the game and then to go out and give up a touchdown and in the end, lose the game, is a reason to land on this list. Sorry to disappoint the scarlet and grey slack folks, but it is what it is.
Maybe Burke will eventually back up his words in the future if he is to "guarantee" another win, or he ends up like Charles Barkley and gets it wrong time and time again. For now, this proclamation was a failure. It is a failure.
1. K Jayden Fielding
Granted, missing a field goal in the first half at the end of it will sting, but this kid is far from the biggest reason they lost. He had to do something he hadn't done before, which was kick a career-long field goal to keep the game close at the half. He didn't.
Fielding had been pretty good this season and for the rest of the game outside of the miss, he was kicking the ball through the uprights with ease. However, that missed kick was possibly a sign that maybe, just maybe, things were not going to end well for Ohio State. At the end of the day, Fielding could not score a PAT after a game-winning touchdown thanks to Rod Moore intercepting McCord.
Sorry, but Fielding had to join this list. The good news is, he deserves the LEAST blame of anyone on this list. That doesn't negate, however, the end result, and that's what the Buckeyes have to deal with for at least another 365 days when the teams meet again in Columbus.