Any evaluation of an Ohio State quarterback is ultimately judged through the lens of how he performs against Michigan. By that standard, Terrelle Pryor, who was once the nation’s top high school recruit and one of the most dynamic athletes to ever play in college football, easily measures up.
How Terrelle Pryor Delivered a Blunt Reminder About the Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry
A recent episode of the “Certified Game” podcast featured Pryor, who was asked about his feelings toward the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry during his time. He bragged in a way that won’t make Michigan fans happy.
“3 and 0, never lost on them,” Pryor said (19:00). “Yeah, it’s a big rivalry.”
Pryor’s introduction to the rivalry was in 2008. He didn’t have to carry the entire offensive load, but his efficiency stood out as he helped guide Ohio State to a 42-7 win, the Buckeyes’ largest win over Michigan in four decades.
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Pryor spoke following the game about how difficult it was for opponents to contain him.
“It’s a hard play to stop,” Pryor said, via Cleveland.com. “I was always good at running it. It just happened to be a play we found out they couldn’t stop.”
Pryor once again played a big role in securing a win over Michigan in 2009, leading the Buckeyes to a 21-10 win. His 12-yard touchdown pass to Dan Herron in the third quarter created a comfortable cushion that Michigan never managed to erase.
By 2010, Pryor delivered his most complete performance against the Wolverines, proving the elite dual-threat ability that made him the nation’s top recruit. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also contributing 49 rushing yards on 12 carries. However, that win, along with the entire 2010 season, was later vacated due to the fallout from Ohio State’s tattoo scandal, which ultimately led to Pryor’s exit to the NFL.
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Pryor threw for 6,177 yards and 57 touchdowns in his three seasons at Ohio State, while completing 60.9% of his passes. His career QB rating was 144.6, and he threw 26 interceptions in 39 career starts.
As for the rivalry itself, its balance has shifted over time, sometimes favoring Ohio State and sometimes Michigan. After nearly two decades of dominance by Ohio State from 2001 to 2019, Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to three straight wins from 2021 through 2023. However, momentum swung back toward Columbus, with Ryan Day leading the Buckeyes to a 27-9 win in the 2025 season.
