Michigan and Ohio State enter this game ranked as two of the nation’s premier teams, each boasting their own distinct strengths – Ohio State with their defense, while Michigan possessing explosive offense. A win by either team would provide them with a significant boost in national rankings.
Hayes brought his top-ranked team to Michigan Stadium to meet Schembechler’s Wolverines for their inaugural meeting as coaches who would come to define the rivalry.
The Michigan Wolverines Football Vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats rivalry has since become one of college football’s most celebrated matchups, showcasing legendary coaches, star quarterbacks, elite running backs, and game-changing performances that continue to shape the history of “The Game.”
| Player | Position | 2024 Match Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Davis Warren | QB | 9/16 passing, 62 yards, 1 TD |
| Kalel Mullings | RB | 32 carries, 116 rushing yards |
| Donovan Edwards | RB | 7 carries, 30 rushing yards, 2 receptions |
| Colston Loveland | TE | 3 receptions, 31 yards |
| Fredrick Moore | WR | 1 receiving TD |
| Dominic Zvada | K | 2 Field Goals |
| Ernest Hausmann | LB | Team-leading tackles |
| Mason Graham | DT | Multiple tackles, pressure on QB |
| Kenneth Grant | DT | Strong defensive performance |
| Will Johnson | CB | Key defensive plays (did not finish season due to injury) |
| Player | Position | 2024 Match Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Will Howard | QB | 18/29 passing, 174 yards, 1 TD |
| TreVeyon Henderson | RB | 10 carries, 54 yards |
| Quinshon Judkins | RB | 11 carries, 46 yards |
| Jeremiah Smith | WR | 5 receptions, 35 yards |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | 5 receptions, 81 yards |
| Carnell Tate | WR | 1 TD reception |
| Caleb Downs | S | Several tackles |
| Jack Sawyer | DE | Sack and QB pressure |
| Sonny Styles | LB | Team-leading tackles |
| Jayden Fielding | K | 1 Field Goal |
| Date | Venue | Winner | Score | Michigan Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Michigan Stadium | Ohio State | Ohio State 27-9 | L |
| Nov. 30, 2024 | Ohio Stadium | Michigan | Michigan 13-10 | W |
| Nov. 25, 2023 | Michigan Stadium | Michigan | Michigan 30-24 | W |
| Nov. 26, 2022 | Ohio Stadium | Michigan | Michigan 45-23 | W |
| Nov. 27, 2021 | Michigan Stadium | Michigan | Michigan 42-27 | W |
| Dec. 12, 2020 | — | Cancelled (COVID-19) | No Contest | — |
| Nov. 30, 2019 | Michigan Stadium | Ohio State | Ohio State 56-27 | L |
| Nov. 24, 2018 | Ohio Stadium | Ohio State | Ohio State 62-39 | L |
| Nov. 25, 2017 | Michigan Stadium | Ohio State | Ohio State 31-20 | L |
| Nov. 26, 2016 | Ohio Stadium | Ohio State | Ohio State 30-27 (2OT) | L |
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Wolverines | 4 | 5 | 44.4%* |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | 5 | 4 | 55.6%* |
| Cancelled Games | 1 | — | — |
QB Julian Sayin
The Battle of Ohio, now famously dubbed by both schools as an epic college football rivalry game, has long been one of the greatest rivalries in college football history. The film The Male Animal by Robert Asprin based upon this rivalry is widely considered an American classic and widely recognized.
Ohio State entered this game undefeated and No. 2, hoping to capture their second Big Ten championship and possibly earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Michigan proved an obstacle however; they kept pace with Ohio State throughout and took an unexpected late lead after going for it on fourth down in the final minutes – though Michigan’s Shawn Crable was controversially called for roughing the passer despite JT Barrett reaching his line of gain! Ohio State were given another set of downs.
Sayin, making his first appearance in this contest as a sophomore quarterback, turned in an outstanding performance. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing seven times for 70 yards.
Additionally, the Wolverines’ rebuilt offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage to open up running lanes for tailback Bo Jackson who finished with 117 yards on 22 carries.
At the conclusion of this contest, both teams were ranked within the top 10. The Buckeyes won their 12th straight victory against their in-state rival, improving to 11-0; while Wolverines took home five victories out of six to move up to 10-3 overall.
RB Carnell Tate
Carnell Tate is a big-play threat with an excellent understanding of the game. An outstanding route runner who can use leverage and win contested passes, Tate can also be dangerous as an open field receiver thanks to his large catch radius and excellent body control – as well as being adept at running intermediate digs and crosses. Tate would give the Rams an unstoppable receiving corps.
Michigan Wolverines football program boasts an illustrious heritage. Under Bo Schembechler’s 21 seasons as coach, Michigan won 13 Big Ten championships and 194 games during that time.
After Schembechler retired in 1989, Lloyd Carr and then Rich Rodriguez continued the success under Lloyd Carr before experiencing some difficulties under Brady Hoke; eventually Hoke was fired, leading the Wolverines to hire Jim Harbaugh; during Harbaugh’s first season he led them to 10-3 record and won their first bowl victory since 2007.
Tate led the nation in 2024 in receptions (121), yards (1,872) and touchdowns (21). He earned second-team All-American selection by Associated Press, Sporting News and AFCA. Alongside his statistical achievements, he also excelled academically; being named 2025 first team Division I Academic All-American by Football Academic Research Consortium.
Tate was thrilled with his performance despite losing in the Outback Bowl to South Carolina. They pledged to improve for next season, and did exactly that – after an opening loss against Notre Dame, Michigan pulled together with wins against Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan State; these victories provided much-needed confidence boost after falling victim to Ohio State in previous year.
WR Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith has been playing wide receiver for Ohio State Buckeyes since he began as a freshman. A four-star recruit, Smith has amassed over 1,000 receiving yards since joining.
As well as being a great receiver, Smith also serves as an effective punt return specialist with an outstanding punt return average and plays an essential role on defense for this year’s squad, having only allowed one touchdown through two games so far.
This game is most notable for a brawl that broke out in the second quarter. Two players from each side were ejected for fighting; ultimately both sides went home winners by an overwhelming margin.
Michigan quarterback Brian Griese led his team to victory against Ohio State, avenging an earlier close loss. Their defense was stellar; holding Ohio State to just a single touchdown while forcing two turnovers. It was an historic win for Michigan, who entered this game undefeated and No. 2 nationally.
After the game, Michigan coach Ryan Day expressed that his team would remember this victory with fondness and thanked both sets of fans for their support and humility. He expressed hope that this win would turn around their rivalry and push things in Michigan’s direction once again.
Ohio State was widely anticipated to advance to the Big Ten Championship Game, yet Michigan rallied late and defeated them 13-10 – an unexpected result, given they were the top-ranked team in the country at that time and that Ohio State had previously dominated this rivalry game for decades prior. Michigan’s victory represented one of their greatest ever comeback victories over time as well.
WR Max Klare
Max Klare will be one of the main attractions at this weekend’s 2026 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Resort. A former Ohio State tight end who was selected by LA Rams in the 2025 NFL draft, Klare should bolster an already robust receiving corps that includes Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen and Terrance Ferguson; in addition to Klare himself.
I spoke with LA Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth recently about Klare; he believes he could develop into an important receiving option under Sean McVay’s offensive system.
This game was notable for its sloppy play and uncharacteristic Michigan defensive struggles, leading to an Ohio State win. The teams exchanged punts during the first half, hoping to force turnovers. Ohio State managed to block two punts – with one recovering it for a safety in the end zone! Michigan did lose possession, however; though they failed to recover their fumble on their final possession.
Michigan had never lost to a team from one of the Power Five conferences before this game, and their losses marked the beginning of a downward spiral in national rankings for them.
After Big Ten realignment in 2014, Michigan-Ohio State became divisional rivalries and has since been one of college football’s fiercest rivalries.
Robert Asprin’s novel Myth Directions features it prominently. Additionally, 1942’s film The Male Animal has become widely considered as being the definitive depiction of this rivalry.
RB Royce-Jenkins Stone
After Fielding H. Yost retired as coach in 1901, Michigan went 68 seasons without suffering a losing season under legendary coach Fritz Crisler (winning national championships and Rose Bowl wins as player); following Crisler, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr continued this success and both coaches have since been honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame as coaches.
In 2023, Michigan hired Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach. In his inaugural season with Michigan he posted an impressive record: 10-2 regular-season record and Rose Bowl appearance as well as winning both Big Ten Championship and 900th win against Purdue!
Michigan started their 2018 season off poorly against Notre Dame but came back strong, winning 10 straight games including key victories over Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Penn State – who all defeated them the year prior – before reaching No. 4 in College Football Playoff rankings before being knocked off by Ohio State.
Michigan entered 2019 ranked fifth in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. They began by winning their first ten games of the season before losing to No. 2 Ohio State in a preseason clash called Battle of the Bricks.
The Michigan Wolverines Football Vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats from that rivalry highlighted several standout individual performances that influenced the outcome.
Following this loss, Michigan fell from No. 5 in the AP Top 25 rankings to No. 15 before going on to defeat Virginia Tech in the Citrus Bowl, finishing the season with a strong 9-3 record.
Also Read:https://sportsbyte.co.uk/australian-mens-cricket-team-vs-west-indies-cricket-team-match-scorecard/
