The lengthy reign of Michigan over Ohio State, spanning four games, has concluded.
The top-ranked Buckeyes achieved a 12-0 record by defeating the No. 15 Wolverines with a score of 27-9. This marks Ohio State’s initial triumph against Michigan in 2,191 days – recalling the 2020 cancellation – and signifies the first victory over the Wolverines for all players on the current Ohio State roster.
Michigan lacked the required offensive capability to contend with Ohio State. The Buckeyes definitively sealed the game’s outcome in the third quarter, with QB Julian Sayin connecting with Carnell Tate, who was wide open, for a 50-yard touchdown amidst the snowy conditions, extending their lead to 24-9.
This was Tate’s first appearance since early November. Throughout the season, he has established himself as one of the premier deep threats in college football, regularly executing deep catches akin to the one against Michigan. Star WR Jeremiah Smith also returned on Saturday from an injury, securing a 35-yard touchdown on fourth down during the first half, though its validity was questionable.
Michigan punted on their subsequent drive, and Ohio State subsequently eliminated any possibility of a comeback. Although the Buckeyes only managed a field goal on this drive, they advanced 81 yards in 20 plays, consuming 11 minutes and 52 seconds off the game clock.
While the Ohio State offense boasts two prominent wide receivers and a quarterback vying for the Heisman, another notable player emerged. Freshman RB Bo Jackson accumulated 117 rushing yards on 22 attempts, cementing his position as the primary rusher for Ohio State.
This was Jackson’s ninth consecutive game with at least 10 carries, and the fourth instance in the past five games where he surpassed 100 rushing yards.
The victory secures a Big Ten title game showdown between the undefeated 12-0 Ohio State and 12-0 Indiana. These two programs are the last remaining undefeated teams at the collegiate level. The winner of next weekend’s contest will claim the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff following No. 3 Texas A&M’s defeat by No. 16 Texas on Friday night.
The loser, however, is likely to secure a bye, as it’s hard to imagine the committee ranking a 12-1 team below fourth.
A fulfilling victory for Ohio State
Even as Ohio State triumphed in last year’s playoff as a No. 8 seed to win the national title, the losses to Michigan lingered for coach Ryan Day. That playoff run, following a 13-10 loss as a significant favorite, served as a crucial boost for Day, despite his win percentage at Ohio State approaching .900.
The 2024 team had national championship expectations with returning star players like TreVeyon Henderson and Emeka Egbuka, as well as the additions of Caleb Downs (Alabama) and Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) via the transfer portal. However, after the loss to Michigan and the ensuing altercation, it seemed improbable that Ohio State could win four games for a national title.
Instead, the Buckeyes convincingly defeated Tennessee before overwhelming Big Ten champion Oregon and ultimately defeating Texas and Notre Dame to secure the title.
Fourteen players from that championship-winning team were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and both coordinators transitioned to other roles. Yet, this Ohio State team might even be superior to its predecessor. After Sayin’s interception on the Buckeyes’ initial drive, resulting in a 6-0 deficit, it marked Ohio State’s largest disadvantage of the season.
The Buckeyes’ defense has been the most dominant in the nation and demonstrated its strength. Each time Michigan contemplated a touchdown, the offense faltered. The three field goals the Wolverines were compelled to kick in the first half placed them at an 11-point disadvantage by halftime.
Meanwhile, the offense possesses greater downfield threat with Sayin at quarterback. He is on pace to surpass Bo Nix’s single-season completion record of 77.4%, having completed 19 of 26 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan.
Michigan’s 2026 objective: Bryce Underwood’s development
The Wolverines had the opportunity to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff with a victory over Ohio State. Instead, Michigan’s focus shifts to a bowl game and preparations for the 2026 season.
The Wolverines’ primary objective should be devising a more potent offensive strategy for QB Bryce Underwood. Underwood was among the most sought-after recruits in the class of 2025, opting for his home state school, Michigan, over LSU.
Underwood has displayed potential intermittently throughout the season. However, he struggled on Saturday, and Michigan’s offense lacked a response to Ohio State’s offensive prowess. The significantly higher number of plays executed by the Buckeyes compared to the Wolverines exacerbated the issue. Ultimately, Ohio State executed more plays because of their consistent ability to advance the ball, a feat that Michigan failed to accomplish.
As Underwood continues to improve, so will Michigan’s offense. However, to what extent will the Wolverines’ offensive philosophy evolve in Sherrone Moore’s third season? This aspect could be pivotal in determining Michigan’s potential in the coming years.
