Andrew Vastardis on Ohio State showdown: Past results have been 'unacceptable'

Michigan football senior captain Andrew Vastardis has been around for it all. He has seen everything since joining the program as a walk-on in 2017. The pain of the losses to Ohio State in the Jim Harbaugh era is there, but he leads a group that is confident it can get the job done on Saturday.

The Wolverines have already experienced rivalry pain once this season in a 37-33 loss to Michigan State. Since then, all focus has been on the moment Michigan finds itself in on Saturday.

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“We’ve put ourselves in a great situation and have been sticking together from that moment on,” Vastardis told the media on Monday. “It’s shown and we’ve continued to grow together in our abilities and how we play. We’re very confident getting to this point and eager for the opportunity ahead of us.”

Michigan’s increased emphasis on preparing for Ohio State each day has been one of 2021’s biggest storylines. It has Vastardis and his teammates feeling as prepared as they ever have for this opponent.

“It’s something where we are always watching other games keying on what Ohio State is doing,” he said. “The film study has been pretty consistent throughout the year. Feeling like we know them pretty well and am excited for the opportunity.

“The key is to just play our ball. That’s through execution and knowing our assignments on offense. Doing everything we can to play fundamentally sound with no turnovers. Just doing the little things on offense to ensure that works. We know that special teams and defense has our back and we’ve got theirs.”

The narratives on Michigan’s struggles to beat OSU have been run into the ground. Harbaugh teams are winless against the Buckeyes. Their struggles pre-date him with the last Wolverine win coming in 2011.

Vastardis says nobody in the building has to get up for this game.

“I don’t think it’s something you really have to tell guys. They know,” he said. “This is the game you come for. It’s ‘The Game.’ The one you come to Michigan to play. In the past, (results have) been unacceptable. Let the guys know that every day you’re here throughout the season, every technique you try to improve, every film study, it’s all to get ready to play this game and these types of games. Playoff types of games.”

The task of taking down Ohio State is as tall as any Michigan football has faced. They are leaning on each other and what each has been through in preparation for Saturday.

“All that matters is the team, everyone inside the building, how they trust in each other and believe in each other,” Vastardis said. “It’s a great matchup ahead of us and a great opportunity. We’re confident in each other’s abilities. We’re just ready to compete.

“It’s The Game. It’s the biggest rivalry in all sports. When it comes to our preparation, I feel like we have really improved this year and in each game. We have to carry that into this game. But this is The Game and have to realize there’s that extra “oomph” surrounding us. Using that as motivation and as fuel. Falling back on great preparation we’ve had so far this year.”

Michigan’s chance of pulling off the upset on Saturday will likely depend on third-year freshman Cade McNamara continuing to quarterback an efficient and balanced offense. He completed passes to eight different receivers in last week’s 59-18 win over Maryland and someone different has stepped up each week.

Vastardis expects that to continue.

“Cade has always been a huge proponent of film study,” he said. “He’ll deal with that section of what’s going on out there to get the best matchup possible. Same as the staff. They will have a great plan for us. Cade trusts the guys that are around him. We trust everyone on the field, on the sideline, and in the building. That’s a great example of how it comes to fruition on game day.”

Michigan football will attempt to succeed for the first time in a long time this Saturday in Ann Arbor. The rivalry tilt with Ohio State kicks off at noon eastern and will be broadcast via FOX.