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Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore throws water on Ohio State CFP national title

Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore throws water on Ohio State CFP national title

USA Today2 days ago
As if the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan needed any more gasoline thrown on the fire, it got a little at Big Ten football media days this week. That came on the heels of two players from each side guaranteeing multiple-year victories over the others (Jeremiah Smith was one), in an offseason when we saw the temperature rise to one of the highest levels it ever had after the Buckeyes lost to the Wolverines last fall.
The latest comments that will end up on a bulletin board somewhere in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center come from Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore. He was one of the three players on hand for Michigan out in Las Vegas for the annual media days and didn't pull any punches when he was asked how he felt about the Wolverines' arch-rival going on a historic run to win the College Football Playoff national championship after losing for the fourth straight time to Michigan.
"I'll congratulate them on the win. But you know it's not a real win if y'all ain't beat us," Moore said when talking to reporters. "I'm gonna congratulate them on their win, but this year, it's gonna be different."
He then took it a bit further and even took a bit of credit for the banner Ohio State will hang as a result of the national championship while delivering an underhanded compliment.
"If the playoff extension wasn't around, they wouldn't have won the national championship," Moore continued. "We pretty much look at it like, 'Hey man, y'all had an easy little run. We helped y'all along the way. So we pretty much helped y'all build back up.' But like I said, after that game, they dominated everybody that came in front of them. So I've got to give all the credit to them."
At this point, the amount of anticipation and vitriol surrounding the game in 2025 can't get much higher unless there are some very, very significant things at stake. There's enough bulletin board material to make a collage out of, so any further comments probably won't amount to much. Can we just do the talking on the field at this point?
November 29 is going to be a hoot.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
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