Michigan’s ‘Nutcracker’ Troll and Ohio State’s Missed Opportunities Define Week 14 Drama
Rivalry week in college football is always a spectacle, but this year, it delivered a little extra spice both on and off the field. From shocking upsets to social media trolling wars, Week 14 had it all. And at the center of the chaos? The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, whose annual clash, known simply as “The Game,” turned into a dramatic showdown that left fans buzzing for days.
Michigan Stuns Ohio State in Columbus
Heading into the game, the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes were expected to handle business against their bitter rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. But Michigan had other plans. Behind a gritty performance from running back Kalel Mullings, who racked up 116 rushing yards on 32 carries and scored the Wolverines’ only touchdown, Michigan pulled off a stunning 13-10 upset in Columbus.
Ohio State had their chances but failed to capitalize. Kicker Jayden Fielding missed two critical field goal attempts, leaving points on the board that could have changed the outcome. On the other side, Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada delivered when it mattered most, nailing a 21-yard field goal with just 45 seconds left to seal the Wolverines’ fourth consecutive victory over the Buckeyes.
Postgame Fireworks: Michigan’s Troll Game is Strong
As if the on-field drama wasn’t enough, Michigan wasted no time rubbing salt in Ohio State’s wounds. The Wolverines’ official football account posted a graphic of a nutcracker dressed in Michigan blue, surrounded by shattered buckeye nuts inside Ohio Stadium. The caption? “‘TIS THE SEASON!”
‘TIS THE SEASON! 〽️ pic.twitter.com/V0R0iqLP0H
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 30, 2024
Ohio State, known for replacing the letter “M” with “X” during rivalry week, tried to keep the banter alive with a final score post on X (formerly Twitter). But Michigan wasn’t done. They quote-tweeted the post with four alternating “M” emojis, reclaiming the letter and adding another layer to the trolling.
〽️〽️〽️〽️ https://t.co/hmA8IauI6B
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 30, 2024
Elsewhere in Rivalry Week: South Carolina Shocks Clemson
While Michigan and Ohio State dominated headlines, the South Carolina Gamecocks pulled off their own stunner against the No. 14 Clemson Tigers in the Palmetto Bowl. Freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers delivered the game-winning moment with a 20-yard touchdown run with just 1:08 left on the clock, giving South Carolina a 17-14 victory.
South Carolina didn’t hold back on social media either. After the win, they posted a revamped version of Clemson’s wooden Palmetto Bowl plate, replacing the tiger mascot with a gamecock and captioning it: “Fixed it for you.”
Fixed it for you 🤙 https://t.co/58K2InmDti pic.twitter.com/0EJEopphfU
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 30, 2024
Minutes later, the Gamecocks doubled down with another post, showing a map of South Carolina with a tiny portion in the northwest corner marked with an “L” for Clemson, while the rest of the state was covered in Gamecock branding. The caption? “Stay in your corner.”
We are THE University of South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/akxi16xYrt
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 30, 2024
Top Takeaways from Week 14
- Michigan’s dominance: The Wolverines have now won four straight against Ohio State, solidifying their grip on one of college football’s fiercest rivalries.
- Missed opportunities: Ohio State’s two missed field goals proved costly in a game decided by just three points.
- Social media wars: From Michigan’s nutcracker graphic to South Carolina’s map troll, teams are taking their rivalry week victories to the digital battlefield.
As the regular season wraps up, one thing is clear: rivalry week never disappoints. Whether it’s the action on the field or the trolling off it, college football fans are treated to a spectacle unlike any other. And with the postseason looming, the drama is only just beginning.
Originally Written by: Harry Lyles Jr.
