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3 reasons why the Ohio State football team will go back to dominating Michigan

The Ohio State football team has lost to Michigan in each of the last three years. Here are three reasons why the Buckeyes will go back to dominating them, starting this year.

By Ryan Stano

Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) catches a pass in front of Michigan Wolverines defensive back Quinten Johnson (28) during the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24.
Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) catches a pass in front of Michigan Wolverines defensive back Quinten Johnson (28) during the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA
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2. Michigan's coaching staff has been absolutely decimated

After winning it all, Jim Harbaugh finally got an NFL job. He'd been interviewing for NFL jobs for the last few years but didn't land one until this year. He's now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, but he wasn't the only coach to leave Michigan in the offseason.

Harbaugh left the cupboard pretty bare in Ann Arbor. He took his strength and conditioning coach, defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach, and defensive analyst with him to Los Angeles. The offensive staff was left relatively alone by Harbaugh, but the damage was done.

Meanwhile, the Ohio State football program improved its coaching staff. They added Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator as he went from a head coach to that role. Ohio State also added Matt Guerrieri as the safeties coach and Carlos Locklyn as the running backs coach after Tony Alford bolted for Michigan.

Alford is not turning out to be the upgrade Michigan thought he was. Locklyn has already secured a recruit before he's even coached a game while Alford hasn't gotten anyone. It's clear that the coaching staff advantage lies with the Buckeyes, something that had not been the case in the previous three years.

Harbaugh has always been a great college coach. Without him, Michigan could be in trouble. While Sherrone Moore did beat the Buckeyes last season, that was with the whole host of defensive coaches still on staff. With them gone, the job becomes much harder for Moore.

The final reason why the Ohio State football program should start beating Michigan has to do with results on the recruiting trail.

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