Predictions: Buckeyes End Four-Game Losing Streak Against Michigan

The Buckeyes are heading to Ann Arbor as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, looking for their first win against Michigan since 2019. Ohio State is also almost certainly playing for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, securing a spot in Indianapolis on Dec. 6 if it beats the Wolverines.

Here’s how the BSB staff sees this game going.

Sam Cipriani: OSU Escapes U-M In 128th Rendition Of The Game

After 10 weeks of picking No. 1 Ohio State to win by three or more scores, the Buckeyes will finally be challenged again Saturday. No. 15 Michigan will host Ohio State in frigid temperatures in the Big House, as the Buckeyes face their biggest challenge since Week 1 against Texas.

The Wolverines defense isn’t quite as strong as Ohio State’s No. 1-ranked defense. Michigan is allowing just 17.9 points per game compared to the Buckeyes 7.6. Led by freshman phenom quarterback Bryce Underwood, Michigan’s rushing attack is the focal point of as the Wolverines’ hold the 10th-ranked rushing offense, averaging 223.5 yards per game on the ground, and totaling 32 rushing touchdowns.

The dual-threat Underwood gives Michigan another dimension of its offense with just over 29 yards per game on the ground, alongside sophomore running back Jordan Marshall’s 87.1 rushing yards on average. With Michigan having the best running attack Ohio State has seen all year, the Buckeyes are sure to have some problems with the Wolverines ground and pound style.

However, I think this year Ohio State’s defense that’ll shine late and hold strong in the final moments to give the Buckeyes a slight edge over Michigan and first win over the Wolverines since 2019.

Ohio State 23, Michigan 17

Bobby Gorbett: OSU Ends Losing Streak Against Michigan

The Game is almost finally here. The undefeated Buckeyes have played well all season and are now in position to take home some serious hardware in the postseason, but first, they have their eyes set on their arch rival, and the team that has beaten them in each of the last four seasons. I predict that Michigan’s winning streak will come to an end in Ann Arbor on Nov. 29.

The Game has been a bona fide nightmare for the Buckeyes over the last four years, with last year’s game being the most head-scratching loss.

As nearly three-touchdown favorites, Ohio State was outscored 13-10 in its own home by Michigan. Many outside of the program have used that stunning result as evidence that the Buckeyes have a mental block when they go against Michigan. While I would agree that Michigan has a mental advantage in The Game, I don’t think it will matter this year.

The Wolverines’ defense may not be as good as it was last year, but it’s still capable of giving opposing offenses fits. I expect Michigan to have some success slowing down Ohio State, but as long as star receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith play, which seems fairly likely at this point, the Buckeyes will put some points on the board.

On the other end, Ohio State’s defense has been nearly unstoppable all year. Led by playmakers such as Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Caden Curry, Ohio State ranks No. 1 in the country in both scoring defense and total defense. I think Michigan, led by talented true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, will have a hard time finding a consistent offensive rhythm on Saturday.

A number of things hurt the Buckeyes in last year’s loss to Michigan, but it’s hard to fathom the amount of miscues they had. In addition to having a couple of key turnovers, the Buckeyes missed some short kicks and had some untimely mistakes defensively.

If the Buckeyes can simply limit their mistakes on Saturday, I expect them to coast to their first win over Michigan since 2019.

Ohio State 24, Michigan 17

Greg Wilson: This is my third time predicting an Ohio State-Michigan game in my time at Buckeye Sports Bulletin. In both 2023 and 2024 I had the Buckeyes beating the Wolverines, and I, like so many other people who predicted those games, came out looking

I told myself after the stunning OSU loss last season that no matter what, I was going to pick Michigan over Ohio State until Ryan Day proves that he can lead his team to a win.

Then I saw this Ohio State team play for 11 games.

Ohio State lost last year’s version of the game because of untimely mistakes. Michigan’s only touchdown came because Will Howard threw an interception deep in OSU’s territory, allowing the Wolverine offense to start from the 2-yard line.

Julian Sayin doesn’t make those kinds of mistakes. He has been extremely efficient throwing the ball, and he avoids turnover-worthy plays as well as any quarterback in the college game does. Michigan has done well creating turnovers this season, but there’s no reason for me to think that Sayin will stop playing smart just because he’s playing in the Big House.

And then I saw this Ohio State defense that, while the first-team is on the field, has given up something like five touchdowns the entire season. I’ve also watched Michigan’s offense that can struggle to move the ball at times.

Bryce Underwood has all the tools that can make a great quarterback, but I don’t think Sherrone Moore has been able to unlock that quite yet. Andrew Marsh is great on the outside and has the chance to make something happen in special teams as well.

But the Buckeyes defense has just been too good for me to ignore. They have shut down rushing quarterbacks, and the secondary doesn’t allow receivers to get open often. If they can avoid penalties, which will be tough in what is likely to be an extremely physical game, I don’t see the Wolverines consistently moving the ball down the field.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Am I getting fooled a third time?

Ohio State 28, Michigan 10