“I’ll Teach You a Lesson”: Julian Sayin Coolly Responds to Bryce Underwood’s Shocking “Destruction” Vow as The Game Reaches Boiling Point

By Senior College Football Correspondent
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The greatest rivalry in American sports does not need artificial hype. When Michigan and Ohio State meet, the hatred is baked into the soil of the Midwest. But just hours before kickoff of the 2025 edition of “The Game,” the tension has escalated from simmering tradition to personal warfare.

In a shocking break from the usual media-trained platitudes of “respecting the opponent,” Michigan’s true freshman sensation, quarterback Bryce Underwood, lit a match and threw it into a warehouse of dynamite.

The Rookie’s Roar

It began early Saturday morning. During a pre-game hype segment streamed live on social media, Underwood—who has revitalized the Wolverines’ season since taking over the starting job—appeared visibly amped. Adrenaline seemingly coursing through his veins, the 18-year-old phenom didn’t just predict a win; he promised violence.

Responding to a question about facing Ohio State’s number one ranked defense, Underwood looked directly into the camera.

“They talk about rankings, they talk about history. I don’t care,” Underwood declared, his voice rising. “Julian Sayin? He’s just a guy in a jersey. I’m not going around him. I’m going through him. I’m going to go head-to-head, run him over, and crush that team into the dirt. We aren’t looking for a close win. We are going to hand them a humiliating defeat. They’re going to remember my name for the next hundred years.”

The clip immediately went viral, racking up millions of views within minutes. It was a stunning display of bravado from a freshman about to play in the most hostile environment of his life. For Michigan fans, it was the warrior spirit they had been craving. For the rest of the college football world, it looked dangerously like “poking the bear.”

The Buckeye King Responds

The “bear” in question is Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. The sophomore quarterback has been the picture of perfection this season, leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated 11-0 record with surgical precision and a calm demeanor that borders on icy.

As the Ohio State team bus pulled into the stadium less than an hour after Underwood’s comments aired, a swarm of reporters awaited Sayin. They relayed the rookie’s threats: the promise to “run him over,” the vow of “humiliation.”

Most expected Sayin to brush it off with a “no comment.” Others expected anger.

Instead, Julian Sayin laughed.

It wasn’t a nervous laugh, nor a mocking one. It was the quiet chuckle of an older brother watching a toddler try to lift a heavy weight. He adjusted his gear bag, stopped walking, and offered a response that instantly became instant folklore in the history of this rivalry.

With a slight, confident smile playing on his lips, Sayin leaned into the microphones.

“Calm down, young man,” Sayin said softly, his tone almost pitying. “Don’t be too eager. Stay in your lane. And later today… I will teach you a lesson.”

A Frenzy of Reactions

If Underwood’s comments were the spark, Sayin’s response was the gasoline. The contrasting styles—the fiery, reckless aggression of the Michigan rookie versus the condescending, regal confidence of the Ohio State veteran—have sent the fanbase into absolute hysteria.

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram are currently melting down.

@WolverineFaithful posted: “Underwood is the wolf we needed! No fear! Sayin is shaking!”
@BuckeyeNationForever countered: “‘Calm down, young man’ is the coldest line I’ve ever heard. Sayin is about to drop 50 points on this kid. Class is in session.”
@CFB_Pundit noted: “This is the difference between a Freshman and a Champion. Underwood is playing with emotion; Sayin is playing with intent. This game just became personal.”

The Stakes Have Shifted

Tactically, Underwood’s comments put immense pressure on his own shoulders. By threatening to physically “run over” the opposing quarterback—a rarity in modern football—he has placed a target on his back. The Ohio State defense, already the best in the nation, will likely view his comments as a personal insult.

“You don’t give a team like Ohio State bulletin board material three hours before kickoff,” said former NFL scout John Middlekauff on a morning radio show. “Underwood just wrote a check that his offensive line has to cash. If he struggles early, those words will haunt him.”

On the other sideline, Sayin’s “schoolteacher” persona has established a psychological dominance before a single snap has been played. By referring to Underwood as “young man” and promising a “lesson,” he has framed the game not as a contest between equals, but as a master disciplining a student.

The Stage is Set

The atmosphere inside the stadium is currently electric. The student sections are chanting the players’ quotes back and forth. Signs reading “SCHOOL IS IN SESSION” and “RUN THEM OVER” are already visible in the stands.

For Bryce Underwood, the path to legendary status is clear: back up the talk, destroy the giant, and become a god in Ann Arbor. But for Julian Sayin, the objective is now twofold: win the game, and fulfill his promise to humble the “overzealous” rookie.

Kickoff is approaching. The talk is over. The lesson is about to begin.