The Ohio State football program went on the greatest four-game run in college football history last season in order to capture the national championship. They defeated Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame en route to claiming their first national title since 2014.
It was certainly something unexpected following yet another loss to TTUN. Still, it's a legitimate national championship. That's not something TTUN can claim after winning in 2023, thanks to the Connor Stalions cheating scandal that will forever muddy the waters.
That didn't stop a Michigan player from running his mouth during Big Ten Media Day and talking smack. Defensive end Derrick Moore decided to throw stones in glass houses, calling the Ohio State Buckeyes' national championship "not real" because they lost to TTUN.
TTUN DE claims the Ohio State football team's national championship is fake
Moore says that the Buckeyes didn't earn a true title because of what happened in late November.
Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore on Ohio State's national championship: "You know it's not a real win if y'all ain't beat us. I'm gonna congratulate them on their win, but this year, it's gonna be different."
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) July 24, 2025
"You know it's not a real win if y'all ain't beat us. I'm gonna congratulate them on their win, but this year, it's gonna be different."
It's clear that TTUN needs to somehow stay in the spotlight after losing five games a season ago. Moore is parroting something that Michigan fans have been saying all offseason to make themselves feel better. It's a claim that Buckeye fans just simply laugh at.
Moore does have something right; this year will be different. The Buckeyes are done losing to TTUN. Ryan Day understands now that he needs to be aggressive in getting the ball to his best players in order to take down TTUN, even if the game is on the road this season.
Ohio State is the co-favorite to win the national championship. TTUN will have to start a true freshman at quarterback coming off a five-loss season. These programs are in very different spots. Also, Ohio State didn't cheat in order to obtain its national title.