Undefeated Ohio State, in transition, wins at Michigan in 1979: Buckeye ReTalkables

Buckeye Talk: Ohio State podcast by cleveland.com

On this edition of Buckeye ReTalkables, it’s time to dive into the first Michigan game for head coach Earle Bruce, as the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes go to Ann Arbor in 1979.

Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird and Stephen Means watched the game and saw an OSU program in transition in the first season after Woody Hayes … and a program that nearly won a national title. The Buckeyes won this game in Michigan Stadium 18-15 thanks to defense and special teams, and a few big plays from sophomore quarterback Art Schlichter.

Listen as the guys go through the ReTalkable categories, discussing the tackling and style of linebacker Al Washington, the father of current OSU linebackers coach Al Washington Jr.; the rising ability of freshman linebacker Marcus Marek; the speed and skill of Michigan receiver Anthony Carter; the several questionable coaching moves from Michigan’s Bo Schembechler; and the win that would serve as the high point of the Bruce era as the Buckeyes stayed perfect and headed to the Rose Bowl, where they would lose a claim to a national title with a 17-16 loss to USC.

But after losing three straight to Michigan to end the Hayes era, this was a huge win for Ohio State. Thanks for reliving it on Buckeye ReTalkables from cleveland.com.

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