It's here. The greatest rivalry in all of sports. Ohio State vs. Michigan. The Game.
Yes, the Buckeyes have dominated the final game of the regular season for most of the 21st century, but in a world of "what have you done for me lately," all anyone seems to remember is the last four years. Even though Ohio State has been favored in each of those four losses, the Buckeyes would not do enough to come out on top.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow Ryan Day leads his undefeated team into the Big House with a Big Ten Championship berth on the line. The Buckeyes haven't been to Indianapolis since 2020, the last time they were conference champions. The Wolverines, on the other hand, are hanging on by a thread, needing a win over the No. 1 team in the land for any hope of making it to the championship game. Michigan would also need help in the way of Oregon or Indiana losing.
Ohio State can end the Wolverines' playoff hopes, while Michigan can knock the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten Championship and maybe even take away a first-round bye. Beyond all that, it's the pure pride of having bragging rights for the next 365 days.
It's time to get ready for The Game.
Ohio State vs. Michigan Records and Broadcast Information
Records
Ohio State (11-0), Michigan (9-2)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBroadcast Information
Date: Saturday, November 29
Gametime: Noon ET
Network: Fox
Venue: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Capacity: 107,601
All-Time Series: Michigan leads 62-51-6
Last Meeting: Michigan defeated Ohio State 13-10 in 2024
Ohio State potential game plan for victory vs. Michigan
Without a doubt, Ohio State has been one of, if not the most dominant, team in the 2025 season. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said as much in his weekly press conference. But everyone knows that when it comes to this game, rankings and records mean absolutely nothing.
For the Buckeyes to come out on top, several things will need to happen. First and foremost will be the play of Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. The redshirt freshman has played well beyond his years in his first year as a starter, but he hasn't seen a great defense since facing Texas in the first game of the season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWoverines' defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was masterful in last year's contest, holding the powerful Buckeye offense to just 10 points total. Sayin needs to be smart in his play, especially if he is without weapons, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith. Martindale will most assuredly throw some different packages at the OSU quarterback to confuse the OSU quarterback. Staying calm and playing mistake-free football will be key for Sayin and the Bucks.
Ryan Day will also rely on the Buckeye running attack to keep the Maize and Blue honest. It can't be forced, but the line will need to open some holes to let the athletic running backs have some room to work. In last year's edition of The Game, it felt as if Day had something to prove, but it came at the expense of the passing game. Running straight up the gut time after time against Michigan is not a recipe for success.
On the other side of the ball, Matt Patrica has taken the OSU defense to another level. A team that lost seven starters to the NFL draft is actually playing better this year than last. The Buckeye D is ranked first or second in almost every major defensive category. They are giving up just 12.9 points per contest and have not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. That's going to be really important as Michigan can run with the best of them.
It looks as if star running back and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes will miss the game, but Ohio native Jordan Marshall is just as capable. Marshall has rushed for nearly 900 yards and has 10 scores on the ground. He's put up four straight 100-yard games. Ohio State must stop the Michigan ground game from getting into gear. The Wolverines will want to play a slow game where they control the clock and keep the OSU offense on the sidelines.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd then there is freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. While he's been a bit underwhelming throwing the ball with just nine touchdowns to five interceptions, he is also more than capable of moving the sticks with his legs. The UM quarterback has run for 322 yards and five scores on the season. Nothing is more demoralizing to a defense than to have the offense in third and long, only to have the quarterback scramble for a first down. A spy would be advantageous to make sure Underwood stays in check.
The game plan should be simple... don't stray from what you've been doing all season long. It's what got you to this point, and it's what will win this game for Ryan Day and Ohio State.
Ohio State key offensive player vs. Michigan
Julian Sayin - Quarterback
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) yells at his teammates in the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.There is a chance Julian Sayin will go into the most hostile stadium he's played in without his top two targets. If either Jeremiah Smith or Carnell Tate can't suit up for the game, Sayin will need to be his usual accurate self and take what the defense gives him. That might be a tight end finding space in a crossing route or a running back in the flats. Whatever the look is, Sayin must protect the ball and move his team down the field. The Buckeyes' chances rely on his right arm.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOhio State key defensive player vs. Michigan
Caleb Downs - Safety
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) warms up during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.Caleb Downs is the heart and soul of the No. 1 defense in the land and is the quarterback on that side of the ball. While the guys up front will be counted upon to stuff the Michigan run game and keep Bryce Underwood uncomfortable, it will be the secondary's responsibility, specifically Downs, to make the Wolverine quarterback pay for his mistakes.
Ohio State vs. Michigan prediction
On paper, Ohio State is the better team. The Buckeyes have a dominant defense and a more polished offense. Michigan fans will say Ohio State hasn't been tested since playing Texas back in August. Maybe that's true, but the Bucks have passed every test with flying colors, while the Wolverines lost to the only two ranked teams they played this season, Oklahoma and USC, and the games weren't all that close.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut as Jim Tressel said earlier in the week, "weather is the great equalizer." And as of now, the weather doesn't look all that promising with temperatures in the mid-30s and a chance of snow. That doesn't bode well for Ohio State, which has been a pass-first team. Sure, they ran the ball effectively against UCLA and Rutgers, but Michigan is certainly a few notches above those programs.
Because of the weather, Sherrone Moore and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey will attempt to turn this game into a time-of-possession game with long, sustained drives on the ground. If the Wolverines can keep the OSU defense on the field for long periods of time, it will play to their advantage late in the game. Ryan Day and Brian Hartline will have to use the run game, but will need to be more creative than the last time these two teams squared off. Pounding the rock up the gut all game simply will not work.
I believe Day has learned from previous years. The game will be ugly, and Buckeye Nation will be on the edge of its seat for the first time since August. However, Ohio State gets it done with a dramatic fourth-quarter drive to end the streak.
Final score prediction | Ohio State 24, Michigan 17
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOhio State vs. Michigan betting odds
Ohio State -10.5
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Michigan preview: Prediction, gameplan, key players
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