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Michigan's bid at fifth-straight win over Ohio State a top national storyline in 2025

Anthony Broomeby: Anthony Broome06/09/25anthonytbroome
Ohio State HC Ryan Day, Michigan HC Sherrone Moore Adam Cairns | Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn
Ohio State HC Ryan Day, Michigan HC Sherrone Moore Adam Cairns | Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn

The Michigan Wolverines host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Nov. 29 in Ann Arbor, looking to move to 5-0 over the last five seasons in the series. U-M is expected to be back in the College Football Playoff picture this season, while the Bucks could be reloading and gearing up for another run.

Regardless of the stakes, this will be one of the most anticipated games on the schedule last year, especially after the postgame tantrum from Ohio State on its home field after losing as a three-touchdown favorite this season.

Athlon Sports’ Kyle Wood named the showdown as the fourth-most anticipated game of the entire season.

“If not now, then when for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes?” the Athlon writer asked in the outlet’s annual football preview. “The Wolverines extended their winning streak in the rivalry to four games last fall, putting more pressure on Day before Ohio State won it all. The series shifts back to Ann Arbor this season, where Michigan could be trotting out a true freshman quarterback.

“If these teams have taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen in The Game.”

Athlon’s Steven Lassan expanded on the storyline in a “15 things to watch” section, citing the hightened tensions in the rivalry.

“The bitterness in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry reached an all-time high last season,” Lassan said. “The Wolverines stunned the Buckeyes in Columbus as a three-touchdown underdog, and then the two teams traded blows in a postgame fight.

“November was a turning point for both teams. Ohio State used that loss as motivation, reeling off four consecutive victories to win the national title. Amid a sluggish debut under new head coach Sherrone Moore, Michigan landed the commitment of 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood and closed the year with the win over the Buckeyes and a bowl victory over Alabama.

“Even with arguably the best offensive player (wide receiver Jeremiah Smith) and defensive player (safety Caleb Downs) returning in college football, repeating as national champs is a huge ask for Ryan Day’s team. New quarterback Julian Sayin is talented but has attempted only 12 career passes. The defense will be under construction with only three returning starters under new coordinator Matt Patricia. How fast Underwood develops looms large for Michigan’s hopes of a return to the playoffs. But the young quarterback won’t have to do it all on his own. The Wolverin have a standout backfield tandem in Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes, along with a stingy defense returning six starters.

“Both Sayin and Underwood should be far along in their development by the Nov. 29 matchup. The implications for that contest are enormous, as Michigan hopes to win its fifth in a row in the series, while Ohio State aims to reclaim its edge. As if this rivalry needed any more fuel, the storylines going into 2025 after last year’s meeting show there won’t be much of a cooling-off period.”

FanDuel Sportsbook currently has the Buckeyes installed as a 5.5-point favorite for November’s tilt at Michigan Stadium with the over/under set at 47.5 points. The Game will kick off at noon with FOX again on the game coverage as part of its Big Noon Saturday slate.

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