Everything felt different the morning of November 29, 2025. Usually, Ann Arbor in late November is a gray, slushy mess that smells like wet wool and desperation. But this time, it was personal. You've got the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes coming into the Big House with a massive chip on their shoulder. They hadn't beaten Michigan in four years. Ryan Day’s job was basically on the line every time he walked past a mirror.
Then the game happened. And honestly? It wasn't even close.
Ohio State's 27-9 victory over Michigan didn't just snap a losing streak; it felt like a total shift in the tectonic plates of the Big Ten. For three years, Michigan had bullied the Buckeyes. They ran the ball down their throats, used "The Don" (Donovan Edwards) to break long runs, and basically out-toughed a team that people called soft. But in 2025, the script flipped. Ohio State wasn't just talented; they were mean.
What Went Wrong for the Wolverines in 2025?
Michigan entered the game ranked #15, which isn't bad, but they weren't the juggernaut that won the 2023 National Championship. Sherrone Moore was trying to keep the fire burning, but you could see the cracks. The offense struggled to move the chains. They converted only 1 of 7 third downs heading into the fourth quarter. You can't beat a team like Ohio State when your offense is a "three and out" machine.
The injuries didn't help. Jordan Marshall, the star freshman back, went down early. Without him, the ground game evaporated. Michigan finished with 163 total yards. To put that in perspective, Ohio State's freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith almost had that many yards just by existing on the field.
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Then there was the Julian Sayin factor. The Buckeyes' quarterback played like a 10-year veteran. He threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns. He was surgical. Michigan’s defense, which usually feasts on pressure, didn't record a single sack. Not one. If you give a kid like Sayin all day to throw to Jeremiah Smith, you're going to have a bad time.
The Sherrone Moore Situation and the Fallout
The aftermath of the 2025 game was weirder than the game itself. Usually, you shake hands, maybe exchange a few words, and go home. But the tension between Moore and Ryan Day was palpable. Reports surfaced that Day told Moore to get his team off the field after some Michigan players tried to stand on the "M" logo during the Buckeye celebration.
Then, the bombshell dropped in December.
Michigan moving on from Sherrone Moore was a shock to some, but the rumors of off-field instability were getting too loud to ignore. By mid-December, the program was in a tailspin. Kyle Whittingham was eventually brought in to pick up the pieces, but the damage to the 2026 recruiting class was already starting.
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- The Record: Michigan still leads the all-time series 62-53-6.
- The Streak: Ohio State's win ended a 4-game Michigan winning streak (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
- The MVP: Julian Sayin (OSU) with 3 TD passes.
- The Stat that Matters: Michigan had 0 sacks in the 2025 matchup.
Why "The Game" Still Matters (Even with the 12-Team Playoff)
Some people thought the expanded playoff would kill the Michigan Wolverines football vs Ohio State Buckeyes football rivalry. They said, "Oh, they'll both make the playoff anyway, so the game doesn't matter."
Those people are wrong.
In 2024, Michigan was 8-4 and unranked, but they went into Columbus and stunned #2 Ohio State 13-10. That loss nearly cost the Buckeyes their playoff seeding and their dignity. In 2025, the win for Ohio State meant a trip to the Big Ten Championship and a first-round bye. For Michigan, the loss meant they were out. Gone. No playoff, no national title defense.
The stakes haven't lowered; they've just changed shape. It’s no longer just about who goes to the Rose Bowl. It’s about who gets to host a playoff game in December in the freezing cold.
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Recruiting Wars: The Battle for 2026
Despite the coaching turnover, Michigan is still pulling in talent. They signed 27 athletes for the 2026 class, including guys like quarterback Brady Smigiel and running back Savion Hiter. But Ohio State is landing "generational" talents every other Tuesday.
The gap isn't just on the scoreboard; it's in the depth chart. Ryan Day has realized that to beat Michigan, you have to match their physicality. He stopped recruiting "pretty" players and started recruiting guys who want to hit people. It’s a subtle shift, but it’s why they were able to hold Michigan to under 40 yards of offense in the second half of the 2025 game.
The Actionable Truth for Fans
If you're a Michigan fan, the "honeymoon" of the 2023 title is officially over. The program is in a rebuilding phase under new leadership. If you're a Buckeye fan, the "Ryan Day can't win the big one" narrative has finally been buried under a pile of gold pants.
Here is what to watch for moving forward:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Michigan needs an immediate upgrade at receiver and offensive line if they want to compete in 2026.
- Keep an eye on Bryce Underwood: The 5-star QB is the future of Michigan football, but rumors of him looking elsewhere after Moore's exit won't die down.
- Monitor the 2026 Matchup in Columbus: Ohio State will be the heavy favorite, but remember—the underdog has won this game three times in the last five years.
The rivalry is no longer about "who has the better coach" because both programs are in constant flux. It's about who can handle the pressure of the last Saturday in November. In 2025, Ohio State proved they could. Now, the ball is back in Ann Arbor's court.
Prepare for the 2026 season by tracking the spring game performances of the incoming freshman class, particularly how the new Michigan staff integrates dual-threat packages for their young QBs. The power dynamic in the Big Ten is shifting toward a "super-team" era, and both these programs are fighting to stay at the top of that mountain.