Aidan Hutchinson shares Michigan's key to slowing down CJ Stroud, Ohio State

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson needed a big performance in the Wolverines’ rivalry game against Ohio State, and not just because he wanted to solidify a spot in New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist — more importantly Hutchinson would have clinched Michigan’s first win over Ohio State since 2011, the first of the Jim Harbaugh era, while booking a ticket to the Big Ten Championship game.

Hutchinson did just that, delivering in a big way and leading Michigan to the biggest win of his four-year career, most likely the biggest win of Harbaugh’s entire tenure in Ann Arbor.

Michigan won 42-27 thanks to Hutchinson’s seven total tackles (five solo stops) and three sacks. It was an emotional win, and the Wolverines eventually went on to win the Big Ten title and clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff. But according to Hutchinson, it was a win that required preparation and a clear-cut plan to shut down C.J. Stroud, Ohio State’s quarterback, who had been playing extremely well heading into the contest.

“I think the biggest thing with C.J. (Stroud) — he’s a hell of a ballplayer, and you turn on the film and not many people were getting pressure on him (before the Michigan game),” Hutchinson said Friday in New York. “He was sitting real pretty in that pocket and just throwing dimes, and we knew that if we couldn’t get any pressure, they were going to just explode on us.”

Stroud ended up finishing the game with 34 completions in 49 attempts, good for 394 passing yards and two touchdowns, but he was far less productive that he had been in weeks prior. Just one week before the Michigan game, Stroud tossed for six touchdowns and 432 yards against Michigan State, ending with just three incomplete passes — and Hutchinson knew that the Wolverines would have to stop that, should they want to preserve any chance of beating Ohio State.

“That’s something we did. That’s something our whole defensive line did. I think we made him a little uncomfortable and pressured him,” Hutchinson said. “I think CJ still had a good game, but we just forced some uncomfortable throws, which was really our plan.”

Hutchinson reveals Michigan legend predicted his Heisman Trophy finish vs. Ohio State

Hutchinson said Friday in New York that Woodson — the only defensive player to win a Heisman — had not directly reached out after Hutchinson was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, but Woodson did predict the finish. According to Hutchinson, the Michigan legend told his father prior to the Ohio State game that a strong finish would punch him a ticket to New York.

“I know Charles (Woodson), before the Ohio State game, he called his shot,” Hutchinson said with a smile. “My dad was telling me that (Woodson) said, ‘if Aidan gets three sacks, he’s going to New York.’”

Hutchinson shined in that game against Ohio State, leading Michigan to its first win over the Big Ten rival in Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. In a decisive 42-27 victory, Hutchinson did exactly what Woodson suggested, finishing with seven total tackles (five solo stops) and three sacks. The result, a mere two weeks later, was a trip to New York.

“And what did I do? I got three sacks and now I’m in New York,” Hutchinson said. “I thought it was pretty cool that Woodson called his shot. It was pretty badass.”