Mike Sainristil says Michigan football “can’t wait” to play Ohio State

Michigan football (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten conference) just won its fourth game of the 2023 season over the weekend. As the Wolverines turn the page and head into Week 5 — a road trip to Lincoln, Nebraska — captain Mike Sainristil says that the Maize and Blue “can’t wait” to face the Buckeyes this year. Of course, Michigan is taking things one game at a time, but at the end of the day, Ohio State remains on the Wolverines’ minds.

Mike Sainristil says Michigan football “can’t wait” to play Ohio State

Michigan football is undefeated heading into Week 5, just like the Ohio State Buckeyes. Every year it seems that the conference title is decided by these two teams in Week 13, and Mike Sainristil — a veteran cornerback and team captain for Michigan — knows that quite well.

Over the past two years, Sainristil and the Wolverines have blown out the Buckeyes, claiming a pair of Big Ten titles and CFP appearances to match. This fall, that goal remains the same for the Maize and Blue.

“Every week, we can’t wait to — we want to play that game,” Mike Sainristil said on Tuesday. “That’s ‘The Game’ for a reason. But the result of that game doesn’t change, our wanting to play them next week, two weeks, or at the end of the year. We know, regardless, that come November 25th (vs. Ohio State), we have to face them. And all we can do is prepare and show week-to-week, how well or how good of a team we can be leading into that game.”

Wolverines must remain grounded and focused throughout Big Ten conference play

Mike Sainristil also noted that, while Ohio State will always be the measuring stick for Michigan football, he feels that the Wolverines are doing a good job of handling their business. If Michigan wants to finally get over the hump this year, advancing to the national title game and more, Ohio State and the Big Ten Conference Championship Game are just the beginning.

“I will just say we’re doing a great job of handling our business,” Mike Sainristil stated. “That’s all we can do. Just focusing on making sure that we’re the best team going into that game. And just being able to go out there — Coach (Harbaugh) does a great job of preparing us and helping us keep Michigan football, the people in this building, the main priority.”

In a few months, Michigan football and Ohio State will face off, with Ryan Day and Jim Harbaugh meeting for the fourth time. That said, the Wolverines have seven more Big Ten games before the Buckeyes come to Ann Arbor in late November, the first of which is an afternoon matchup against Matt Rhule the Cornhuskers this weekend.

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