Ohio State Special Teams Enters ‘The Game’ With The Edge

It’s been a while since the Ohio State special teams unit could consider itself better than Michigan’s by the time “The Game” rolls around. However, this year, it could be argued. The Buckeye kicking game has been a strength of the offense, while the returners have actually been able to get some solid yardage. At the same time, the Wolverines’ special teams have not been nearly as locked in.

To put it in perspective, over the past two seasons, Jayden Fielding has made just two field goals against Michigan on five attempts. Meanwhile, Michigan has converted on all five of its attempts. As a result, the Buckeyes lost by six and three, respectively.

Now, heading into the 121st meeting between the two historic programs, Ohio State may actually have the edge in special teams.

In the lead-up to The Game, Fielding mentioned that it would be a “dream come true” if he were able to sink a big-time kick against Michigan. You want to have that confidence in your kicker. It’s especially so when you remember his past two performances against The Team Up North. In 2023, Fielding missed four field goals, and one was in that game. At the same time, two of those remaining kicks were in the top-seven matchup with Penn State and in the Cotton Bowl loss. Last year, he missed another four, including two against Michigan. The other two were against Nebraska in a closer-than-you’d-like win and the CFP First Round matchup with Tennessee.

To this point in his career, Fielding hasn’t been able to make the big kick. In his career, only three of his 10 missed kicks came in low-leverage games.

This year, Fielding has been better. In 11 games, he’s converted on 13 of his 15 attempts. To date, he has a career-long of 49 yards and has missed all three 50+ attempts in his career. His 53-yard attempt against Minnesota was pulled a tad left.

Despite all of that, Fielding hasn’t lost confidence. Ideally, he is only needed to make extra points. Considering his three misses against Michigan were from 52 (at the end of the first half), 38, and 34, even chip shots aren’t freebies.

While Fielding’s 2025 season may not instill confidence in the senior’s abilities, he’s been better than his counterpart, Dominic Zvada.

Last year, Zvada was one of two Big Ten kickers to be named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. This year, he’s been nothing compared to what he was. After coming off a year with just one miss (and it was blocked), Zvada has missed seven times in 19 tries. His misses have come from 27, 32, 34, 38, 47, 48, and 60. Of course, missing from 60 at the buzzer to end a half isn’t the end of the world. Missing six of 17 from within 50 is an issue.

Over his last two games, Zvada is two-of-five. However, despite missing two against Northwestern, he sank the game-winner, prompting the team to hoist him upon its shoulders and herald him a hero.

Lining the two kickers up side-by-side, Fielding has been the better of the two this year. Of course, given the nature of The Game, there is a very real possibility that Zvada outshines Fielding on the field. This game produces unlikely heroes. A struggling kicker winning it would absolutely fit the bill.

If there is a slight weakness in the Ohio State special teams, it could be in the punting game. Of course, it hasn’t had to punt much this year. In 11 games, the Buckeyes have punted 20 times. That’s good for the fewest in college football with USC. So, in essence, Joe McGuire has not been tested.

In his 19 punts (Nick McLarty launched a singular 45-yard punt in the win over Grambling State), McGuire has averaged 42 yards per punt. More importantly, he’s only allowed one touchback while pinning opposing offenses inside the 20 seven times. To compare that to Michigan’s punting game, let’s use percentages. McGuire has a 5.26% touchback rate with a 36.8% inside-20 rate.

The Wolverines have punted a bit more frequently. Hudson Hollenbeck has punted the ball 34 times for an average of 43.8 yards per punt. Of those 34 punts, three resulted in touchbacks, and nine landed inside the 20. So, to compare him to McGuire, he has an 8.8% touchback rate and 26.5% inside-20 rate.

With two great defenses, the punting game is crucial for success. Both Ohio State and Michigan can trust their defenses to get the ball back after flipping the field via a punt. Of course, Ohio State’s offense being so slow, methodical, and efficient, McGuire hasn’t had as many opportunities. He only has two games in which he punted more than twice. Seven games featured either one or no punts from McGuire, for reference.

Kicking and punting are important, but what can you do on the other side? When it comes to kick returns, these are two very different teams. Ohio State doesn’t return kicks much. Brandon Inniss has just four returns for 43 yards. Of course, last week, Lorenzo Styles Jr. returned a kick 100 yards for the program’s first kick return touchdown in over a decade. Michigan, meanwhile, has fielded 16 kicks and returned them 15.6 yards a pop. True freshman receiver Andrew Marshleads the way with 11 returns for 226 yards.

We can give Michigan the nod in this aspect of the game. The Wolverines are more than willing to take the chance of returning a kick for favorable field position. 71% of Ohio State’s kickoffs resulted in kickoffs. The Buckeyes’ opponents have returned 15 kicks for an average of just over 17 yards per. Needless to say, unless Fielding puts it through the end zone, Michigan is going to test the Ohio State coverage team, which has done well to this point.

In terms of punt returns, the Buckeyes have a fair advantage as well. Inniss has fielded 13 of Ohio State’s 16 returns (well, 15; Caden Curry‘s “return” was a blocked punt). He averages over 11 yards per return. Michigan’s top man, Semaj Morgan, only averages 2.3 yards per return. Now, if Marsh is the one to return punts, he’s averaging 11.7 yards per return over three tries.

Special teams will play a part on Saturday. On paper, the Ohio State special teams unit appears to have an edge. Ideally, for Ryan Day’s squad, it’ll be a non-factor. The Buckeyes have been the better team on paper for years, but the final score has not reflected that. The Game isn’t played on paper.

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