“We hate them”: Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer reveals motivating factor ahead of matchup against Michigan in 2024 CFB season

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer is fired up and ready for redemption in the 2024 season, especially against arch-rival Michigan Wolverines. Tired of three consecutive losses to the Wolverines, Sawyer has returned for his senior season with a singular mission: to defeat Michigan.

At Big Ten Media Days 2024, Sawyer expressed the pain of last year’s loss and how it motivated his decision to stay at Ohio State for another year.

"I felt like I not only let Ryan Day down, but I let the city down," Sawyer said. "So for me, it's all about coming back, and a lot of us feel the same way too. We weren't going to leave here without having one more shot at doing this the right way.

"We know what's at stake when we play those guys. All of our goals and aspirations for the season ride on that one game in November. They hate us, we hate them, and that's the way it's got to be. That's the way we want it to be."

Michigan, facing a rebuild after losing coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the NFL, presents a golden opportunity for Ohio State to break the losing streak.

With the Wolverines in transition, Ryan Day’s squad aims to seize the moment by not just beating Michigan but making a run for the championship in the 2024 season.

Ohio State's Ryan Day feeling the heat over Michigan narrative

Ryan Day must have the recurring question of the Michigan Wolverines lingering at the back of his mind after losing in three straight seasons to them. In Columbus, defeating Michigan in "The Game" may be considered a successful season even if Day’s men fall short of the conference title or the national championship.

Day has won 39 games since taking the reigns in 2018, but three consecutive losses to Michigan more than counter his glory. During Big Ten media days in Indianapolis, the coach from New Hampshire confidently addressed this year's team, saying:

“Our guys know what the expectation is. We want to win the rivalry game, be right in this stadium and win this Big Ten championship and win a national championship.”

Several key players have returned for their senior year, and with Ryan Day's impressive transfer portal signings, the Buckeyes seem determined to win it all in 2024.

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