Stephen Leonard
Writer
Columbus, OH– It doesn’t get any bigger than Ohio State vs Michigan in terms of college football rivalries, or rivalries in all of sport. It only takes a spark to get a fire burning, but what happened in November 30th, 2024 at midfield of Ohio Stadium was bigger than a rapidly spreading 100,000 acre burn. The flame continues to burn throughout the Ohio State program. The fire fueled a team only meeting and changed offensive schemes. It propelled them through the 2025 national title and continues fueling the flames of a this year’s 11-0 season. What started nearly a year ago continues right now.
Something is different about this Ohio State team. Something is different about Ryan Day himself. Day, his coaching staff, and the players still have that flame visible. You just have to know where to look.
The demeanor, the vibe in the Woody Hays Athletic Center leading up to the 2024 version of the game was intense. Inside the WHAC this time last year the sense of emotions were heightened days prior to the game. Now the team has a more focused approach preparing for this rivalry just as they prepared for everyone else (Texas, Grambling, Ohio etc). Trust the progress that has resulted in 15 straight victories and dominating wins this season with a +26.3 average scoring margin (3rd nationally).
The flag planting fiasco after a 13-10 loss ignited a Buckeyes program already on the verge of excellence. The Michigan Wolverines twisted the knife after coming into the shoe as 19.5 point underdogs to the No. 2 Buckeyes. What happened last November has forever changed how Day and the Buckeyes prepare for The Game.
The 2024 loss wasn’t just a simple loss to a rival; this game means everything to everyone around each program. As an Urban Meyer has said, “This isn’t a game. It’s a way of life.” It is time for the Buckeyes to flip the script. They are the better team in terms of record, eye test, and statistically
Scoring Defense: OSU 1st (7.6) UM 15th (17.9)
Total Defense: OSU 1st (206.6) UM 17th (302.5)
Scoring Offense: OSU 11th (37.9) UM 54th (29.3)
Total Offense: OSU 25th (440.3) UM 38th (420.4)
In 3 short days on November 29, 2025, in the big house, will the changes pay off? The atmosphere with the maize pom-poms waving and Hail to The Victors will exude artificial confidence from years prior. From the opening kick, Ohio State will need to dictate terms. Play Ohio State football by airing the ball out early and getting playmakers the ball in space. From the sounds of it Jeremiah Smith will be ready to go
The first two offensive possessions will determine how close this game will be. Come out passing on first and second down and treat The Game as Tennessee and Oregon were treated in the playoffs last year. Watch closely to the scheme because run, run, pass is exactly how Michigan prefers Ohio State to call the plays.
We know the defense will be ready under DC Matt Patricia. If they get the WRs ball early, this version of The Game will get ugly fast for the maize and blue faithful.
It had been 2191 days since the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) tasted victory against Michigan (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten. Redemption now belongs to the Buckeyes. It’s time for the Buckeye faithful to hold it over their rivals’ heads for at least the next 365 days. It didn’t start off all cupcake and […]
Cody Croy
Writer
2026 3-star defensive lineman Darryus McKinley has flipped his committment from LSU to Ohio State according to ON3 Insider Hayes Fawcett. The Louisiana native had been committed to the Tigers since August. McKinley received an offer from Larry Johnson and Ohio State on October 30th of this year and held offers from 15 other schools. […]
This is the week Buckeye Nation has dreaded for 2,191 days. Five years without a win against Michigan (COVID cancellation in 2020). Four straight losses to That Team Up North. Four straight years of watching an offense that eviscerates everyone else suddenly forget how to play modern football the moment maize and blue take the […]
