ATLANTA — The sky began falling that day in November.
On the final weekend of the 2023 regular season, Ohio State took an 11-0 record into a showdown with archrival Michigan. Kyle McCord's last-minute pass floated into the arms of Rod Moore, sealing the Buckeyes' fate in an exasperating 30-24 loss—one that prevented OSU from making a trip to the College Football Playoff, too.
The disappointment only deepened when a McCord-less offense struggled in the Cotton Bowl setback to Missouri. What had been such a promising year for Ohio State ended with two deflating losses.
To make matters worse—while the Buckeyes sat at home—Michigan, that miserable team up north, won a national title.