On Saturday, Nov. 29, “The Game” was held in Ann Arbor. Ohio State and Michigan faced off for the 122nd time in their classic rivalry.
The matchup, often considered the most significant regular-season contest in college football, once again drew national attention and delivered another dramatic chapter.
Whether either team is heavily favored or not, it never seems to matter. A year ago, Ohio State was the best team in the country and Michigan had a down year — yet the Wolverines still scratched and clawed their way to a victory. The bitter rivalry is a must-watch every single year.
The atmosphere, legacy and constant implications surrounding the matchup make it one of the most captivating events in college athletics, and in all of sports. Whether you support the Michigan Wolverines or the Ohio State Buckeyes, the passion of “The Game” is hard to ignore.
After dropping the matchup four times in a row, Ohio State reasserted dominance in the storied rivalry, defeating Michigan 27-9 to snap the losing streak and preserve a perfect 12-0 regular-season record.
Michigan struck first, converting two early drives into field goals and dominating the possession battle early to take a 6-0 lead. But Ohio State answered before the quarter ended with a 24-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding, closing the gap to 6-3.
In the second quarter, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, despite an early interception, began to take control. On a bold fourth-and-5, he hit wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 35-yard touchdown, giving OSU a 10-6 lead.
Later in the quarter, Sayin connected with Brandon Innis on a 4-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 17-9 by halftime.
Michigan’s defense bent but didn’t break early on. However, Ohio State came out firing after the half. On the first drive of the second half, Sayin launched a 50-yard strike to wideout Carnell Tate for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 24-9. That’s when the Buckeyes took real control.
For good measure, Ohio State tacked on a 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to make it 27-9, sealing the win in convincing fashion.
On the stat sheet, the numbers spoke volumes: OSU outgained Michigan 419-163 in total yards, controlled possession for nearly 20 minutes more, and converted 10 of 17 third downs compared to just 1 of 9 for Michigan. It was Michigan’s lowest offensive output of the season.
The loss snapped Michigan’s four-game winning streak in “The Game,” delivering a crushing blow to its hopes of a playoff berth.
Meanwhile, for Ohio State and coach Ryan Day it was redemption. After last season’s upset loss in Columbus, this decisive triumph reestablished OSU’s dominance and set them up for a showdown with the conference’s other unbeaten headliner.
Offensively, Sayin’s poise under pressure — bouncing back from an early interception to deliver three touchdown passes — showed maturity beyond his years. Wideouts Smith and Tate emerged as go-to weapons and dominant playmakers. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s defense stifled Michigan’s attack, limiting the Wolverines to their lowest yardage total of the season.
Ohio State dominated all three phases — offense, defense and clock management — delivering a statement win in one of college football’s most storied rivalries.