Legendary Ohio State head football coach delivers powerful message ahead of Buckeyes’ Week 14 clash with Michigan in ‘The Game’ | Sporting News

Ohio State’s objective Saturday afternoon in Columbus is simple: beat Michigan, and a ticket to the Big Ten title game is clinched. A loss all but kills any hope of a berth, barring losses by Indiana and Penn State along with it.

Ohio State-Michigan needs no introduction. The two teams play every year on Thanksgiving weekend. All that matters is a win, giving whichever team bragging rights for the next year. To some, it’s more than a game.

Just ask former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, who spoke to the team ahead of the Week 14 matchup.

At press time, the reel has 419,000 views and counting.

Jim Tressel pulls back the curtain on “The Game”

Tressel, who coached the Buckeyes from 2001-2010, kept it short and sweet when discussing his time in Columbus and being part of the rivalry.

“Carry the banner,” Tressel said. “Be proud, because when you get old and come back [to campus] and look, you’re gonna say, ‘I can’t believe God gave me a chance to be a Buckeye, cause there’s nothing like it.’”

Ohio State enters the game 10-1, with its lone defeat coming against Oregon October 12, 32-31. Meanwhile, Michigan improved to 6-5 with a home finale win against Northwestern, becoming bowl-eligible.

Kickoff is set for noon ET on Fox, as the Buckeyes are a 19.5-point favorite.

Ohio State leads the all-time series 19-14-1 dating to 1989, but has lost the last three meetings.