The air in Ann Arbor on November 29, 2025, felt different. It was cold, obviously. But there was this heavy, almost desperate energy vibrating through Michigan Stadium. For four years, the Wolverines had owned this rivalry, essentially turning the greatest spectacle in sports into a one-sided affair that left Columbus in a permanent state of crisis. Ryan Day was the guy who "started on third base," or so the narrative went. But when the clock hit zero and the score of Michigan vs Ohio State flashed 27-9 in favor of the Buckeyes, the script didn't just flip—it was shredded.
Ohio State won. Handily.
Honestly, if you just look at the box score, you might think it was a boring defensive slog. It wasn't. It was a tactical masterclass by a No. 1 ranked Ohio State team that finally looked like they had a soul to match their talent.
How the 27-9 Score of Michigan vs Ohio State Went Down
Michigan actually started fast. People forget that. Dominic Zvada, who was basically the only offense the Wolverines could muster all day, hammered home a 45-yard field goal after a massive 36-yard burst from Jordan Marshall. The Big House was shaking. When Zvada added another chip shot to make it 6-0, it felt like maybe, just maybe, Sherrone Moore had the magic sauce to keep the streak alive.
Then Julian Sayin happened.
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The Buckeyes' freshman phenom didn't play like a kid. After an early interception that could have rattled a lesser player, he settled into a rhythm that Michigan’s secondary simply couldn't disrupt. The turning point was a 4th-and-goal gamble in the second quarter. Sayin dropped a 35-yard dime to Jeremiah Smith, a pass so perfect it looked like it was guided by a laser. That made it 10-6, and the momentum didn't just shift; it evaporated from the Michigan sideline.
By the time Brandon Inniss caught a 4-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds left in the half, the 17-9 halftime lead felt much larger than eight points. Michigan was playing hero ball, and Ohio State was playing professional football.
The Grinding Second Half
The third quarter was the "Carnell Tate Show." Sayin found Tate for a 50-yard bomb that effectively ended the competitive portion of the evening. Michigan’s offense, led by the highly touted Bryce Underwood, looked completely out of sync. Underwood finished with just 63 yards through the air. You aren't winning "The Game" with 63 passing yards. Period.
The final nail was a 20-play drive by Ohio State in the fourth quarter. It took nearly 12 minutes off the clock. It was a "we own you" drive. By the time Jayden Fielding kicked a short field goal to make it 27-9, most of the Michigan faithful were already heading for the exits, seeking warmth and perhaps something stronger than hot cocoa.
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Why This Score Matters More Than Most
For Ryan Day, this wasn't just a win. It was a career-saver. He had heard the "soft" labels for years. He had watched Jim Harbaugh and then Sherrone Moore bully his teams at the line of scrimmage. But in 2025, the Buckeyes out-rushed Michigan. They out-hit them. They even out-coached them in the red zone.
- The Quarterback Gap: Julian Sayin (233 yards, 3 TDs) vs. Bryce Underwood (63 yards, 1 INT).
- Total Yardage: Ohio State's 380+ yards dwarfed Michigan's meager 163.
- Third Down Dominance: OSU went 10-for-16 on combined third and fourth downs. Michigan? 1-for-10.
It’s wild to think about how much the score of Michigan vs Ohio State dictates the mood of the entire Midwest. In Columbus, the 27-9 victory validated a massive investment in the transfer portal and recruiting. In Ann Arbor, it raised uncomfortable questions about whether the post-Harbaugh era can maintain elite status without a reliable passing game.
The All-Time Series Reality Check
Despite the loss, Michigan still leads the all-time series 62-52-6. But momentum is a fickle beast. The Buckeyes have now won 17 of the last 21 meetings if you count the vacated 2010 game. The "four-game win streak" for Michigan is officially over.
We saw real tension on the field, too. Jaishawn Barham actually made contact with an official during a heated moment in the first half—an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that gift-wrapped yardage for OSU. It was that kind of day for the Wolverines. Frustrating. Disciplineless at times. Physically overwhelmed.
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What’s Next for the Rivalry?
The 2026 edition of The Game moves back to the Horseshoe in Columbus. Ohio State will likely be defending a high ranking again, while Michigan will be in "reload" mode. If you’re looking to understand the fallout of that 27-9 score, keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. Michigan needs a vertical threat, or the 2026 score might look even uglier.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Tape: If you want to see how to dismantle a modern defense, watch the 20-play OSU drive from the 4th quarter. It’s a masterclass in clock management.
- Recruiting Matters: Look at the impact of Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin. The "talent gap" that narrowed from 2021-2024 widened significantly in 2025.
- Ticketing Strategy: For the 2026 game in Columbus, start looking at secondary markets in July. Prices for this rivalry only go up as the season progresses, especially now that the Buckeyes have regained the upper hand.
The 27-9 score of Michigan vs Ohio State didn't just end a streak; it re-established a hierarchy. Whether Michigan can climb back up that mountain in 2026 is the only question that matters now.