Bragging rights and much more will probably be on the road on Saturday in Ann Arbor when Ohio State and Michigan conflict. The Buckeyes enter this 12 months’s game undefeated and trying to snap a four-game shedding streak to the Wolverines. On the opposite facet of the sphere, Michigan is not going to solely be attempting to state their case to be included within the College Football Playoff, however Sherrone Moore’s group additionally has an outdoor shot at making subsequent week’s Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis.
Before the Buckeyes might flip their consideration to the Wolverines, final week, Ohio State secured its fifteenth straight win, beating Rutgers 42-9 on Senior Day at Ohio Stadium. After a sluggish begin noticed the Buckeyes took a 14-3 lead into halftime, and Ohio State pulled away within the second half. Not solely was Carnell Tate sidelined for the third consecutive game with a calf harm, but additionally held out of final week’s game in opposition to the Scarlet Knights was fellow large receiver Jeremiah Smith.
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The greatest rivalry in all of sports activities
As quickly because the clock hit zeros in Columbus final Saturday, the complete consideration of Buckeye Nation turned to Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time collection 62-51-6 after profitable the final 4 conferences with the Buckeyes. Prior to the latest dominance by Michigan, Ohio State had gained eight straight video games within the rivalry. Heading into Saturday’s game, the Wolverines maintain a 33-24-4 edge in video games performed in Ann Arbor, whereas the collection is deadlocked at 22-22-4 when each groups are ranked.
This marks the 18th time the Buckeyes are undefeated heading into The Game. More usually than not, in years Ohio State has gained in years they entered the battle with Michigan undefeated, posting an 11-5-1 report. For the thirteenth 12 months in a row, the Buckeyes have recorded 11 wins previous to taking over the Wolverines. No matter the data of the 2 groups getting into The Game, it’s normally a detailed battle, with there being 45 one-score video games within the collection.
Where Ohio State stands on offense getting into The Game
Since Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith had been each unavailable final week, Brian Hartline and Ryan Day saved issues fairly easy for Julian Sayin. The Buckeye quarterback solely tried 19 passes in opposition to Rutgers, throwing for 157 yards and a landing. Despite solely lacking on six of his go makes an attempt, Sayin’s completion proportion truly dipped beneath 80% on the season, sitting at 79.4% getting into this week’s game, which nonetheless leads the nation. The redshirt freshman remains to be on tempo to interrupt Bo Nix’s NCAA report for a season of 77.45%, set in 2023 with Oregon.
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With Sayin with out two of his favourite targets, tight finish Max Klare noticed an uptick in passes thrown his manner final week. The Purdue switch hauled in seven passes for 105 yards, changing into the fourth Ohio State tight finish to surpass 100 yards receiving in a game, with Jeff Heuerman being the final to realize the feat in opposition to Purdue in 2013. Klare is third on the group with 38 receptions this season for 400 yards. Jeremiah Smith leads Ohio State with 69 catches for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns, whereas Carnell Tate has caught 39 passes for 711 yards and discovered the top zone seven occasions.
Lately, the dashing assault of the Buckeyes has began to seek out its footing after a gradual begin to the season. Bo Jackson led the way in which in opposition to Rutgers, ending with 110 yards and two dashing touchdowns to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. Jackson has now rushed for not less than 100 yards within the final two video games and three of the final 4 contests. Entering this week’s game, Jackson has rushed for 835 yards this season, placing him inside putting distance of changing into the fifth true freshman to hurry for not less than 1,000 yards in a season for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes would go on to hurry for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns in opposition to Rutgers. Not solely had been the 254 yards dashing their second-highest whole of the season, however for the second straight game in a row, Ohio State discovered the top zone 4 occasions on the bottom. After C.J. Donaldson Jr. scored the fortieth dashing landing of his school profession early within the fourth quarter, James Peoples capped off the scoring with a 49-yard landing run. Peoples now has three dashing touchdowns within the final two video games.
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Ohio State’s offensive line has been rock stable all season lengthy. The group has allowed simply six sacks via the primary 11 video games of the season, which ranks third within the nation. Along with not letting opponents get to the quarterback, the road has additionally accomplished an incredible job at protecting the opposition out of the backfield usually, because the 36 tackles for loss allowed is the fourth-lowest whole within the nation. What has made the group so powerful to crack is that the identical 5 linemen have began 10 of Ohio State’s first 11 video games this season.
A legendary defensive season thus far
For pretty much as good because the Buckeye offense has been this 12 months, the protection has been that significantly better. Ohio State ranks first within the nation in plenty of defensive classes. Along with main school soccer with simply 7.6 factors per game allowed, the Buckeyes are giving up simply 206.6 yards per game and 126.6 go yards per game. The rush protection has been stout as nicely, with the 80 yards per game allowed rating second within the nation. After giving up 147 whole yards to Rutgers, the Buckeyes have now allowed lower than 300 yards in 10 straight video games for the second time since 1960.
Caden Curry made essentially the most of his ultimate house game at Ohio Stadium, registering two sacks and almost scoring a landing after recovering a fumble he pressured close to Rutgers’ personal aim line. Curry now has 13.5 tackles for loss, which is tied for first within the Big Ten, together with rating third within the convention with 9 sacks this season. At the opposite defensive finish spot, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. has 4.5 sacks this 12 months, however none during the last three video games. Kayden McDonald has been a pressure on the inside of the defensive position, registering 47 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and forcing two fumbles thus far this season.
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It virtually seems like Arvell Reese has been coasting during the last three video games because the proficient linebacker has been very quiet, as he has solely been credited with 5 tackles throughout that span. The lull in exercise from Reese has allowed Sonny Styles to take the group lead in tackles. Styles enters this week with 63 stops, whereas Reese has 59 tackles. Even although Reese hasn’t been filling the stat sheet these days, count on the long run first-round NFL Draft choose to indicate up on the most important stage on Saturday. Conditions are excellent for Reese and Styles to say themselves as two of the highest linebacker prospects within the nation.
Headlining the Ohio State secondary will probably be Caleb Downs. The junior security is up for plenty of main awards this 12 months after being named a finalist for the Nagurski, Lott IMPACT, Thorpe, and Bednarik awards. Last week, Downs recorded his first sack of the season, to associate with his 5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Jaylen McClain has been stable all through the season subsequent to Downs at security, getting into this week’s game with 39 stops on the 12 months.
After lacking a few video games earlier this season, there are questions concerning the well being of Lorenzo Styles Jr. heading into Saturday’s game. If Styles isn’t in a position to play, count on Jermaine Mathews Jr. to slip over to the nickel place and Devin Sanchez to line up on the cornerback spot reverse Davison Igbinosun. Last week, Igbinosun almost had his first interception of the season, but it surely was known as again on account of a penalty. Igbinosun has nonetheless been energetic all through the season, breaking apart eight passes.
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Michigan’s season up so far
Michigan enters this week’s game driving a five-game profitable streak after defeating Maryland 45-20 in College Park final week. Following a 7-6 season in his first 12 months as head coach, Sherrone Moore has the Wolverines eyeing a spot within the College Football Playoff if they will upset Ohio State on Saturday. Unlike Ohio State, which has gained all however one in every of its video games by not less than 10 factors, the Wolverines have needed to work in a number of their victories, as solely three of their 9 wins have come by 17 factors or extra.
The Wolverines have turned Michigan Stadium again into a spot the place it’s powerful for opponents to win. Dating again to the beginning of the 2021 season, Michigan has gained 31 of its final 33 video games at house, with the one two losses coming to Texas and Oregon final season. The loss to Texas snapped a 23-game profitable streak at house, which was their longest because the Wolverines posted a 28-game house profitable streak from 1969 to 1973 throughout Bo Schembechler’s time as head coach.
The Wolverine offense at a look
Running the Michigan offense is quarterback Bryce Underwood, who’s trying to be the primary Wolverine true freshman quarterback to beat the Buckeyes. At occasions, it’s apparent Underwood remains to be a freshman, like within the Purdue and Northwestern video games when he threw three interceptions over the 2 contests. Underwood rebounded final week to throw for 215 yards and two scores within the blowout of Maryland. While Underwood’s stats aren’t gaudy, he does possess great athletic capacity, which opposing defenses must respect.
The working game for Michigan took a success when Justice Haynes was dominated out for the remainder of the season on account of harm after showing in seven video games. When he was wholesome, the Alabama switch ran for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns, cracking 100 yards on the bottom in all however one game. Stepping in for Haynes was Cincinnati native Jordan Marshall, who ran for 100 yards in 4 consecutive video games earlier than he was harm within the win over Northwestern. After lacking final week’s game, Marshall has said that he’s wholesome and will probably be on the sphere on Saturday.
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Pairing with Marshall within the backfield will probably be Bryson Kuzdzal. The junior working again from Grand Rapids was huge for the Wolverines late within the shut win over Northwestern after Marshall exited the game. Last week, Kuzdzal notched the primary 100-yard dashing game of his profession. By discovering the top zone 3 times in opposition to the Terrapins, Kuzdzal grew to become the third Michigan working again this season to attain not less than three dashing touchdowns in a game. As a group, the Wolverines have rushed for almost 2,500 yards this season, which is nearly 300 extra yards than they’ve handed for via 11 video games.
Underwood’s high goal via the air has been Andrew Marsh. The freshman didn’t actually begin to make an impression till October, when he caught eight passes for 138 yards and a landing within the loss to USC. The greatest game of Marsh’s younger profession got here two weeks in the past at Wrigley Field when he hauled in 12 passes for 189 yards within the 25-24 win over Northwestern. For the 12 months, Marsh has caught 42 passes for 641 yards and three scores.
The solely different Michigan receiver with greater than 20 catches is Donaven McCulley, who has 32 catches for 388 yards and three touchdowns. Semaj Morgan and tight finish Marlin Klein every have 19 catches this 12 months, however Morgan hasn’t caught a go because the Washington game in the course of October. At 6-foot-6, Klein will definitely be a goal for Underwood if the Wolverines are in a position to transfer into the Ohio State crimson zone.
The chief of the offensive line of the Wolverines is left guard Gio El-Hadi, who was named a group captain this 12 months. After lacking three video games earlier within the 12 months, El-Hadi has been wholesome sufficient to start out the final 5 video games. To the left of El-Hadi at sort out is Blake Frazier, who has stepped in for the injured starter Evan Link. At heart is veteran Greg Crippen, whereas Jake Guarnera and Andrew Sprague spherical out the unit that has been paving the way in which this season for Michigan’s potent dashing assault.
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Michigan’s protection is making life powerful for opponents
Under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, the Michigan protection has been powerful for opponents to crack this 12 months. The Wolverines are giving up simply 17.9 factors per game and simply over 300 yards per contest. The power of the group is their rush protection, which provides up 94 yards per game, rating eleventh within the NCAA. Michigan has given up lower than 80 yards on the bottom to 5 opponents this season, whereas 4 groups have been in a position to eclipse 100 yards dashing this 12 months in opposition to the Wolverines.
The main menace to stress the quarterback this week for Michigan will probably be Derrick Moore, who has 9.5 sacks this season, which ranks second within the Big Ten. With half a sack extra, Moore will transfer right into a tie for tenth for essentially the most sacks in a season in Michigan faculty historical past, and his 20.5 profession sacks presently rank eighth in program historical past. On the inside of the defensive position, Rayshaun Benny has plugged the outlet left by first-round draft choose Mason Graham, and Enow Etta has made a behavior of getting his arms in passing lanes, breaking apart six passes this season.
Michigan could be with out its high tackler on Saturday, as Ernest Hausmann is coping with an harm that brought on him to overlook final week’s game in opposition to Maryland. The former Nebraska linebacker leads the group with 68 tackles, with 5.5 of these stops coming behind the road of scrimmage. With Hausmann sidelined final week, Cole Sullivan acquired the beginning at linebacker. The different two linebacker spots will probably be occupied by Jimmy Rolder, who has 57 tackles on the season. Jaishawn Barham is essentially the most dynamic participant on the bottom, as evidenced by his 10 TFLs and 4 sacks in 2025.
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Another Michigan captain who could be sidelined for The Game is defensive again Rod Moore, who has missed the final 5 video games. If Moore can’t play, the Wolverines will probably be lacking a bunch of expertise at security, as Moore has began 29 video games in his profession. Last week in opposition to Maryland, T.J. Metcalf and Brandyn Hillman began on the two security spots. The duo has mixed to make 82 tackles and choose off two passes this season.
The cornerback spots will probably be occupied by Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry. Hill has began 20 video games in his Michigan profession, breaking apart 13 passes throughout his time on the sphere. Berry has 9 PBUs and an interception this season. Much like Hill, Berry has additionally began not less than 20 video games in his school profession within the secondary. Mason Curtis rounds out the group, having made three begins on the nickel spot. Last week in opposition to Maryland, Curtis recorded six tackles and intercepted a go.
Prediction
Usually, when The Game rolls round, the perfect technique is to count on the surprising. Just have a look at final 12 months, the place no one gave Michigan an opportunity, and the Wolverines left Columbus with a 13-10 win. Luckily for Ohio State, the loss didn’t knock them out of the playoff. Since falling to their rival, the Buckeyes haven’t trailed within the second half of a game since. Which is a present but additionally might be a curse since Buckeye Nation doesn’t know the way their group will reply if the group finds themselves in a decent game after halftime.
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The largest query heading into this game is how Ryan Day approaches Saturday’s contest. Last 12 months, it was apparent Day let the game get away from him and performed the game Michigan needed to play. Is there some kind of psychological block for Day with regards to Michigan, or did the Ohio State head coach study his lesson final 12 months? If the Buckeyes play their game, it’s arduous to see the Wolverines having the ability to win a fifth straight game over Ohio State.
Another huge query this week is the well being of Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. At least Smith has already come out and said he’ll be enjoying on Saturday, however there are nonetheless questions on Tate’s availability. If each large receivers can play, it can probably be powerful for Michigan to have the ability to match what Julian Sayin and the Buckeye offense can do, since Bryce Underwood remains to be struggling to seek out consistency behind heart for the Wolverines.
Underwood’s first style of The Game might be a impolite awakening since Ohio State has a superb defensive thoughts in Matt Patricia, placing collectively a plan on find out how to decelerate the athletic freshman quarterback. As if Patricia’s schemes alone weren’t scary sufficient for Underwood, the Ohio State defensive coordinator has Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles to hold out his orders on the sphere. Downs and Styles will probably be enjoying at one other degree on Saturday since it will likely be their final game in opposition to Michigan within the scarlet and grey. Even although Downs might return for a senior season, there isn’t any motive for the excellent security to go up the NFL after this 12 months.
In the top, this Ohio State group has had this game circled since they had been upset by the Wolverines final 12 months in Columbus. The loss to Michigan was the motivation the Buckeyes wanted to make a nationwide championship run final 12 months, and this 12 months’s group desires to proper the wrongs of the final 4 conferences with the Wolverines. The Buckeyes e book their spot in subsequent week’s Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis for the primary time since 2020 by beating Michigan in Ann Arbor.