The 121st edition of Ohio State vs. Michigan finally kicks off this weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It’s a game that needs no introduction other than “The Game.” Friendships are defined by which side of the Ohio-Michigan border you are born on. It is so ingrained in Ohio culture that fans do not call Michigan by its name, but rather “That Team Up North.”
This is the one game that decides whether a season is a success or a failure. If you poll 100 Ohio State fans whether they would rather lose to Michigan and win the National Championship or just beat Michigan, 95 of them would choose to just beat Michigan. There’s even a flair on Reddit called “Okay with 1-11.” That mentality was tested last year, considering it was the first time in the rivalry that the loser of The Game went on to win it all.
This rivalry is more than just dislike due to frequent play. It’s full-blown hatred. These two teams, schools, and fanbases aspire to beat the everloving snot out of the other, and nothing is more important than victory.
Ohio State vs. Michigan is often the crown jewel of the college football season. This year’s matchup has plenty of things on the line. Ohio State is looking for its first 12-0 season since 2019. Coincidentally, that’s the last time the Buckeyes won The Game.
The Buckeyes enter as the top-ranked team and seemingly locked into the CFP. However, a spot in Indianapolis is on the line. For Michigan, beating Ohio State is second to nothing. At the same time, the Wolverines have an outside shot at the CFP and the Big Ten Championship with a win.
This is war.
By The Numbers: Ohio State vs. Michigan 2025
The Storied History
Two of college football’s bluebloods, Ohio State and Michigan, have faced off 120 times. The first matchup was in 1897, when Michigan beat Ohio State 34-0 in the Buckeyes’ seventh year of existence. The rivalry started 13-0-2 in favor of the Wolverines over the course of 21 years.
The two have faced off annually since 1919, except in 2020. Both programs have traded periods of dominance. Starting in 1920, Ohio State won three straight, then Michigan won five in a row. The next 10 years were 7-3 Ohio State before Michigan went 10-2-2 from 1938-1951.
Then Woody Hayes happened. After losing his first matchup in 1951, Hayes and Ohio State went 16-7-1. The latter part of this run was just the beginning of the “10-Year War” between Hayes and Bo Schembechler, who took the following three. After that third loss, Hayes was fired after punching a Clemson player in Ohio State’s bowl game.
1979-1984 was 4-2 Ohio State, then Michigan dominated until the end of the century. No matter how good the Ohio State teams were in those 16 years, they just struggled to get past Michigan. The Wolverines owned an 11-4-1 mark.
Since 2001, Ohio State has had 15 wins (16 if you count 2010) and six losses. Four of those losses, however, have come in the last four years.
Overall and officially, Michigan leads 62-51-6. Ohio State’s longest win streak was eight straight from 2012-2019, and Michigan’s was nine straight from 1901-1909.
2025 Common Opponents
With the demise of the Big Ten divisions, the Ohio State vs. Michigan matchup could be interesting. In years past, the two shared a division and had at least five common opponents, with the occasional West Division mutual crossover. This year, the two only have three mutual opponents: Wisconsin, Washington, and Purdue.
Wisconsin
- Ohio State won, 34-0 (away)
- Ohio State: 393 passing yards, four touchdowns; 98 rushing yards
- Wisconsin: 49 passing yards; 95 rushing yards
- Michigan won, 24-10 (home)
- Michigan: 270 passing yards, one touchdown; 175 rushing yards, two touchdowns
- Wisconsin: 177 passing yards; 75 rushing yards, one touchdown
Washington
- Ohio State won, 24-6 (away)
- Ohio State: 208 passing yards, two touchdowns; 149 rushing yards, one touchdown
- Washington: 173 passing yards; 61 rushing yards
- Michigan won, 24-7 (home)
- Michigan: 230 passing yards, two touchdowns; 187 rushing yards, one touchdown
- Washington: 209 passing yards; 40 rushing yards, one touchdown
Purdue
- Ohio State won, 34-10 (away)
- Ohio State: 303 passing yards, one touchdown; 170 rushing yards, three touchdowns
- Purdue: 94 passing yards, one touchdown; 92 rushing yards
- Michigan won, 21-16 (home)
- Michigan: 145 passing yards; 254 rushing yards, three touchdowns
- Purdue: 138 passing yards, one touchdown; 138 rushing yards, one touchdown
Comparing Offenses
Ohio State: Scoring 37.9 PPG (11th); 270.1 passing YPG (28th); 170.2 rushing YPG (56th); 440.3 total YPG (25th)
Michigan: Scoring 29.3 PPG (54th); 196.9 passing YGP (101st); 223.5 rushing YPG (10th); 420.4 total YPG (38th)
Michigan: Scoring 29.3 PPG (54th); 196.9 passing YGP (101st); 223.5 rushing YPG (10th); 420.4 total YPG (38th)
Given the recent matchups, these are two very different offenses. Julian Sayin, Ohio State’s redshirt freshman, is about as diametrically opposed to Bryce Underwood, Michigan’s true freshman, as can be. Sayin is the most accurate passer in college football. His 79.4% completion percentage leads the nation and is on pace to break the all-time single-season mark.
In terms of weapons, Ohio State has the edge with Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Max Klare. Michigan has Andrew Marsh, a true freshman, but he is on his own upward trajectory.
The Buckeyes have a slow, efficient offense. The Buckeyes have had the ball for 94 drives this year. 52 of those drives resulted in touchdowns, and 13 others ended with a good field goal. The Buckeyes are scoring on 69% of their drives.
If Smith and/or Tate cannot go, the Buckeye offense will have to pivot.
Michigan leans on the ground game. It isn’t built to overcome deficits. That has to be the Ohio State game plan on offense.
Defense Is Still The Strength
Ohio State: Allowing 7.6 PPG (1st); 126.6 passing YPG (1st); 80.0 rushing YPG (2nd); 206.6 total YPG (1st)
Michigan: Allowing 17.9 PPG (15th); 208.5 passing PPG (52nd); 94 rushing YPG (t-11th); 302.5 total YPG (17th)
Michigan: Allowing 17.9 PPG (15th); 208.5 passing PPG (52nd); 94 rushing YPG (t-11th); 302.5 total YPG (17th)
It’s going to be strength vs. strength when the Buckeyes are on defense. Of course, the entire Ohio State defense is a strength, but the run defense is especially stout. The Buckeyes are on a run of 10 straight games of holding opponents under 100 yards. Michigan is currently on a run of 14 in a row with at least 100 yards. Whether it’s Justice Haynes, Jordan Marshall, or Bryson Kuzdal, the Wolverines run the ball and find success.
On the flip side, Michigan is good against the run and weaker against the pass, which coincides with Ohio State’s strengths.
Ohio State has three defenders up for multiple national awards, led by Caleb Downs. Meanwhile, the Wolverines didn’t have a single defender even in the semifinals.
The edge goes to Ohio State on defense, again. Will it matter? Did Ryan Day learn his lesson, or can the defense get a stop when it needs it most? Time will tell.
On paper, Ohio State should win. However, the Game isn’t played on paper.
Bottom Line on Ohio State at Michigan
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
History: Michigan leads, 62-51-6 (Michigan won four straight)
Last Matchup: Michigan won, 13-10, in 2024
Last Ohio State win: 56-27 in 2019
Date and Time: November 29, 12:00 PM ET
How to Watch: Fox
Spread: Ohio State -10.5; 43.5 O/U (via FanDuel)
Main Photo: Barbara J. Perenic-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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