If you were anywhere near a television on November 29, 2025, you felt the tension. It was thick. It was heavy. For four long years, Ohio State fans had to swallow the bitter pill of "The Game" ending in a maize and blue celebration. But the 2025 edition of this rivalry wasn't just another chapter in a history book. It was an exorcism.
So, let's get right to it. No. 1 Ohio State defeated No. 15 Michigan 27-9 in Ann Arbor.
The Scoreboard Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
A 27-9 victory looks like a comfortable margin on paper. In reality? It felt like a heavyweight bout where one guy just wouldn't fall down until the very end. The Buckeyes rolled into Michigan Stadium—the Big House—as the top-ranked team in the nation with a perfect 11-0 record. Michigan, standing at 9-2, wasn't just playing for pride; they were playing to keep their playoff hopes alive and to maintain a psychological grip on Ryan Day.
Day had a massive monkey on his back. He was 1-4 against Michigan heading into this game. People were calling for his job. People were saying he couldn't win "the big one." On that Saturday in late November, he silenced just about everyone.
How Ohio State Reclaimed The Game
The game started out looking like another Michigan nightmare for Columbus. Michigan’s freshman quarterback, Bryce Underwood—the nation’s top recruit who famously flipped from LSU to Michigan—orchestrated a crisp opening drive. It ended in a field goal. Then, Julian Sayin, Ohio State’s sophomore starter, threw an interception on his very first possession.
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Michigan led 6-0. The Big House was shaking. You could almost see the "here we go again" look on the faces of the Ohio State faithful.
But then things shifted.
The Turning Point
The momentum swung on a ballsy fourth-and-5 call in the second quarter. Instead of playing it safe, Ryan Day let Julian Sayin rip it. Sayin found the generational talent Jeremiah Smith for a 35-yard touchdown. That play didn't just put points on the board; it broke the seal.
Ohio State went into the half up 17-9 after a late touchdown to Brandon Inniss. From there, the defense took over. Jim Knowles’ unit was absolutely suffocating. They held the Wolverines to a measly 63 passing yards the entire game. Honestly, it was a defensive masterclass.
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Standout Performers and Key Stats
If you’re looking for why Ohio State walked away with the win, you have to look at the individual battles.
- Julian Sayin (QB, OSU): 19-of-26 for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns. He played with a poise we haven't seen from an OSU quarterback in this rivalry since Justin Fields.
- Bo Jackson (RB, OSU): No, not that Bo Jackson, but he played like it. He chewed up 117 yards on the ground, keeping the chains moving and the Michigan defense tired.
- Carnell Tate (WR, OSU): Caught a massive 50-yard touchdown in the third quarter that essentially put the game out of reach.
- Bryce Underwood (QB, MICH): It was a rough day for the freshman. He finished 8-of-13 for only 63 yards and a late interception that iced the game.
Michigan’s ground game, which has been their bread and butter for the last half-decade, was held to just 100 yards. When you can't run and your freshman QB is under constant duress, you aren't winning The Game.
The Fallout: Sherrone Moore and Ryan Day
The aftermath of this game was just as wild as the four quarters on the field. For Ryan Day, it was total vindication. He improved his record against Michigan to 2-4, but more importantly, he proved his 2025 squad was as tough as any in program history.
On the other side, the vibes in Ann Arbor got weird fast. Sherrone Moore, who had been the hero of the 2023 title run and the 2024 win, suddenly found himself under fire. The loss dropped Michigan to 9-3, and while they were still a formidable team, the "dominance" era felt like it had hit a brick wall. In a shocking twist just weeks after the game, rumors began swirling about Moore’s future, eventually leading to a massive shakeup in the coaching staff.
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Why This Win Mattered More Than Others
Usually, this game is about a Big Ten title or a playoff spot. In 2025, it was about identity. Ohio State had spent millions in NIL money and aggressive portal recruiting specifically to beat Michigan. If they had lost this one, the program might have imploded.
Instead, they moved on to face Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. Michigan was left wondering what happened to their defensive edge.
What you should do next:
If you're a Buckeyes fan, go find a replay of the fourth-quarter drive that took 12 minutes off the clock. It’s a clinic on how to close a game. If you're a Michigan fan, look toward the bowl projections—the 2025 season didn't end in Ann Arbor, even if it felt like it did. Check the latest CFP rankings to see where both teams landed for the expanded 12-team playoff, as this result shifted the entire seeding landscape.