Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. heads into the 2023 season with a clear No. 1 priority for his standout college career: to finally take down Michigan.
"It burns a lot, especially when you haven't beaten them at all, so you don't even know what victory tastes like," Harrison said about the Buckeyes' two-game losing streak versus the Wolverines, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. "Coming into this year, that's probably the biggest goal on my list. To beat that team up north and win a Big Ten championship."
In Harrison's two seasons at Ohio State, the team has yet to win The Game. The Buckeyes - who previously won eight consecutive meetings against the Wolverines from 2012-19 - have lost their last two matchups versus their archrival by a combined score of 87-50. They face off this season on Nov. 25 in Ann Arbor.
Harrison didn't take the field in the rivalry game in 2021 but finished last year's matchup with seven catches for 120 yards and one touchdown in a 45-23 defeat.
Despite not winning the Big Ten for the second straight year, Ohio State earned a College Football Playoff spot. Harrison then racked up five receptions, 106 yards, and two touchdowns in three quarters versus Georgia in the CFP semifinal but missed the entire fourth quarter after taking a hard hit from a Bulldogs defender. The Buckeyes, who had a 38-24 lead entering the final frame, ultimately fell to the Bulldogs 42-41.
"If I could've finished that game and we go on to the national championship, I have 100% confidence that we win that game, as well," Harrison said.
Harrison became Ohio State's first unanimous All-American wide receiver after catching 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games last year.
