If you’re a college football fan, you know "The Game" isn't just a Saturday afternoon distraction. It’s an obsession. People in Columbus and Ann Arbor basically plan their entire lives around this late November window. The tension leading up to the most recent showdown was higher than a kite, especially with the storylines swirling around both programs. So, let’s get straight to the point. Ohio State won the 2025 meeting against Michigan with a final score of 27-9.
This wasn't just a win for the Buckeyes. Honestly, it felt like a collective exhale from the entire city of Columbus. For the first time in 2,191 days—yeah, someone was definitely counting—the Buckeyes walked off the field as the victors in this rivalry. It snapped a brutal four-game losing streak that had started to feel like a permanent dark cloud over Ryan Day’s head.
The scene at Michigan Stadium was surreal. You’ve got over 111,000 people screaming their lungs out, and for a minute there, it looked like Michigan might pull off another one. They actually jumped out to a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter thanks to a couple of field goals by Dominic Zvada. But after that? The Buckeyes just took over.
How the Buckeyes Finally Flipped the Script
It’s kinda wild how one game can change a narrative. Heading into this, everyone was asking if Ryan Day could ever beat Michigan again. The answer was a resounding yes, and they did it by playing "bully ball." Ohio State’s defense was like a brick wall, holding Michigan to a measly 163 total yards. That is the lowest offensive output the Wolverines had all season.
Julian Sayin, the Buckeyes' freshman quarterback, played like a seasoned pro instead of a kid in his first Big House experience. He threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns. One of the biggest plays of the game was a 35-yard dime he dropped to Jeremiah Smith on a fourth down in the second quarter. It was one of those "wow" moments where you realize the momentum has completely shifted.
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Michigan’s offense, led by Bryce Underwood, just couldn't get into a rhythm. The Buckeyes' pass rush was relentless. They kept Underwood uncomfortable all day, and when he did try to force things, the Ohio State secondary was right there. Davison Igbinosun effectively ended any hopes of a comeback with a late interception.
The Key Moments That Defined the Game
- The Second Quarter Surge: After trailing early, Ohio State outscored Michigan 14-3 in the second quarter.
- Bo Jackson’s Ground Game: While Sayin was airing it out, Bo Jackson was grinding away on the ground, finishing with 166 total yards. He wore that Michigan defense down.
- Third Down Dominance: This is where the game was won. Ohio State was 10-for-16 on third and fourth downs. Michigan? They went 1-for-10. You just can’t win big games with those numbers.
A Rivalry That Never Stops Giving
Even with Ohio State’s recent win, the all-time series record still leans in favor of the Wolverines. It’s a gap that’s been closing and widening for over a century. Currently, Michigan leads the series 62-53-6. It’s easy to forget that before Michigan’s recent four-game run, Ohio State had dominated the 2000s and 2010s. Under Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes went 7-0. The pendulum in this rivalry swings hard. One decade it’s the "Ten-Year War" between Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, and the next, it's Jim Tressel or Jim Harbaugh defining an era.
The 2025 game was also significant because it sent Ohio State to the Big Ten Championship game against Indiana. It validated the massive investments the program made in the transfer portal and recruiting. For Sherrone Moore and Michigan, it was a reality check. After winning a national title and dominating the rivalry for a few years, they’re now the ones who have to figure out how to bridge the gap again.
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What Most People Get Wrong About "The Game"
A lot of casual observers think the winner is just whoever has the better quarterback. That's rarely true. If you look at the 2024 game—where Michigan won 13-10—Ohio State actually had the more "explosive" offense on paper. But Michigan’s defense held them to 252 yards.
Physicality wins this matchup. Period. In 2025, Ohio State won the rushing battle and controlled the line of scrimmage. When you can run the ball and stop the run in late November in the Midwest, you’re probably going to win. It sounds like a cliché, but the "toughness" narrative is real in this specific rivalry.
The emotional toll of this game is also massive. You could see it on Ryan Day’s face during the post-game interview. He looked like a man who had just shed a hundred-pound backpack. For these coaches, their entire legacy is often boiled down to their record against the school up north (or the school down south).
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Season
If you're already looking ahead to the 2026 matchup in Columbus, here is what you should be watching:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Ohio State has already shown they aren't afraid to bring in elite talent to fill gaps. Keep an eye on how Michigan responds to their offensive struggles by hunting for playmakers.
- Monitor the Trenches: The winning team almost always wins the battle at the line of scrimmage. Look at the returning starters on the offensive and defensive lines for both squads.
- Quarterback Development: With Julian Sayin and Bryce Underwood both likely returning, we could be looking at a multi-year legendary QB battle.
The 2025 edition of Ohio State vs. Michigan proved that no matter how long a streak lasts, it only takes one Saturday to change everything. Ohio State is back on top for now, but in this rivalry, "now" never lasts very long.