Back when Ohio State and Michigan were coached by Hayes and Schembechler and the rivalry was at one of its most fierce levels, the Buckeyes crushed the Wolverines and went on to win the 1968 national title.

Following a touchdown at the end of that 50-14 game, though, Woody Hayes made an unusual decision to go for two and presumably embarrass Michigan. When asked why later, he said, “Because I couldn’t go for three.”

Funny. Simple. Accurate.

This is revisited today because there was a question that needed to be asked about what has become of WVU’s pass “defense” this season.  Teams can pass the ball against the Mountaineers. Teams believe they can pass the ball against the Mountaineers. And so it was asked of USF offensive coordinator Mike Canales is this was something he and others had begun to highlight.

“I watched every game film and watched more from last year,” Canales said. “It is a trend.”

Well, that’s not good. Surely there’s a flaw in WVU’s once venerable-now-vulnerable scheme. Right?

Well, yes and no. The flaw is teams pass on WVU not because they can, but because they must. So why’d the Bulls pass so much? Because they couldn’t run it.

“If I’m playing West Virginia, I’m looking for ways to push the ball downfield against them because they’re going to stop the run,” he said.

“You’re going to have to throw the football to beat West Virginia, bottom line. You’ve got to throw the football because that’s the only way you’re going to beat them. You’re not going to line up toe-to-toe and run against West Virginia, so you better throw it.”

In case you were wondering, all is not lost. There is still hope. Why, Hayes had perhaps his best OSU team the next year. Michigan won 24-12 to snap the Buckeyes’ 22-game winning streak.