A pivotal play in Saturday afternoon's rivalry game between Ohio State and Michigan sparked some controversy as football fans debated whether the result was a touchdown.
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The play occurred with 11:48 remaining in the second quarter. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin dropped back on fourth down, needing five yards. He launched the ball deep to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who caught the pass in stride and made his way into the end zone.
At first, this appeared to be a standard touchdown. However, the officials reviewed the play. As the replay showed, Smith appeared to fumble the ball as he was crossing the goal line. He regained possession, but his foot landed out of bounds.
MORE HORRIBLE OFFICIATING pt 35
FINE. THE. REFS
CLEARLY A TOUCHBACK #Michigan #OhioState
pic.twitter.com/jUeqy5jqB8— Cory Wargo CFB (@CFBUpdate_) November 29, 2025
It appeared that the result of the play was actually a fumble for a touchback, which would have given Michigan the ball. This did not happen. The replay official upheld the call of a touchdown, which gave Ohio State a 9-6 lead. The extra point made it 10-6.
Michigan responded with a field goal, but Sayin threw another touchdown to make The Game 17-9 heading into halftime.
"This is literally the definition of a touchback," one fan wrote on X. "(LMAO) can't Just not call it because it's Ohio State." Many others weighed in with their opinions of the play. Some said the referees could not see properly. Others made allegations about fixed outcomes.
"This is 100% a touchback, so I guess we know the corrupt NCAA wants Ohio State to beat Michigan," another fan posted after watching the replay.
One reason for the intensity of the replies is the fact that this is the possibly the biggest rivalry in college football. Michigan and Ohio State flat out dislike each other, as do the fans.
Another reason is the prize at stake. Rivalry win aside, No. 1 Ohio State needed to beat Michigan to keep an undefeated season alive and secure the top seed for the College Football Playoffs. No. 15 Michigan entered the weekend out of the playoff picture.
