Kirk Cousins’ warcry with the Falcons has been a bit of a running gag. “Walk into your trap, take over your trap”. The old-school hip-hop lyrics are an allegory for what went down in Columbus on Saturday. The Michigan Wolverines walked into enemy territory, and conquered it against all odds. Now, the players are letting everyone know about it.

Wolverines are rubbing their victory in The Game into the noses of those of an Ohio State persuasion. Some would say they’re being unsportsmanlike (Looking at you, Gus Johnson!). Others would probably let the few college kids be what they are- kids albeit kids that have inflicted some grown-man pain.

The skirmish and resultant brawl at the conclusion of the game was a huge talking point. Michigan players attempted to plant their flag in midfield at the Shoe. This was never going to go down well with the Buckeyes. The aftereffects of this ordeal, in tandem of course with the win, have permeated over to social media. 

Wolverines defensive end Josiah Stewart posted an IG story saying, “Really f–k em,” as he posed from the locker room. This was perhaps in direct response to the skirmish. In a now-deleted tweet, Stewart said he got “beer thrown at him” and was “hit by a fan” after the game. What has ensued since is a ton of subliminal shots and trolling by his teammates.

QB Alex Orji played a part in instigating Michigan’s unlikely triumph. He made a huge play with his feet in the first quarter for a gain of almost 30 yards. Although the drive didn’t result in a score, it inadvertently raised question marks in Ryan Day’s defense. Alex Orji joined in on piling onto the Buckeyes’ misery on IG. He’s posted an image that can only be described as the Wolverines’ “smoking on the Buckeyes’ pack”. The same image has also been posted by cornerback Will Johnson. The stalwart has had a defensive MVP in the national championship. However, beating the sworn enemies in their own backyard is up there.

Michigan’s star man on the weekend joins in on the IG Cold War

The Michigan Wolverines program has taken a backseat for much of 2024. They’ve been an afterthought with so much of the discourse pertaining to the revamped CFP. Yet, the Wolverines leapt onto the forefront on Saturday. Their stars in defense, like Will Johnson, showed out on the main stage. There was another big name in the mixer.

D-tackle Mason Graham inflicted major damage on Will Howard and the Buckeyes’ O-line on the gridiron. He was, in many ways, key to the Buckeyes’ offensive woes. Graham clashed with his adversaries during the post-game tussle too, particularly Jack Sawyer. He still managed to save some fire for warring on IG.

Whether this social media activity, or the preceding skirmish, is a good look is debatable. To the victor go the spoils, afterall. Michigan are a team that belongs in these clashes. The fact that they were written off before the game is quite telling. That said, a win of this magnitude may well be what sparks the Sherrone Moore era to life.