Von LozonFri, November 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM UTC·14 min readThe Michigan Wolverines hit the road one final time in 2025 this weekend to take on the Maryland Terrapins. Does this have all the makings of a classic trap game? What do we need to see to feel even a little confidence heading into The Game? We answer those questions and more in this week’s Roundtable!
Before we get to The Game, provide a takeaway or two from last week’s win at Maryland.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementVon: That was the most complete performance Michigan has had in Big Ten play, and it came at the best time possible. Bryce Underwood put together his best overall game as a Wolverine, the run game didn’t miss a beat without Jordan Marshall, Andrew Marsh had another solid game, and the tight ends were involved quite a bit in the pass game. Defensively, there was more undisciplined play — roughing the passer on Cam Brandt, offsides on Jaishawn Barham — that cannot under any circumstances happen against the Buckeyes.
Andrew: The kids are alright. Michigan’s youth has grown up before our eyes over the last month, and Saturday was a case study in maturity. The team was confident, in control at crucial moments, and mistake free. Secondly, for the second straight year, Sherrone Moore has this team playing its best ball when it matters most.
Nick: I was pleased with the offensive line and the run game pushing through even without Jordan Marshall. This line has been really impressive over the last several weeks and is getting hot at the right time. They’ll face a big test this week against Ohio State, but I think they’re ready. I was also pleased with Bryce Underwood playing a turnover-free game for the first time in three weeks.
Charles: I thought the passing game continued to show it can be very effective and efficient if they can avoid turnovers and consistently convert on third down. Those are recipes for success against any opponent, and it will be key to keep that going against Ohio State’s top rated defense. On the defensive side, I thought the secondary gave up a couple big plays and the linebackers were a step slow. Both those areas must improve or Ohio State’s high-powered passing attack will have a field day.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJake: Throughout the last four years, Michigan has parlayed a strong penultimate performance the week before the finale with a win over Ohio State, and Saturday at Maryland was no different. The offense looked stronger than ever before, the run game proved it didn’t matter who was in the backfield, and the defense shut the door when it needed to. The win over Maryland showed Michigan does not look too far into the future and handled business right in front of it.
Kellen: Michigan’s offensive line proved why it deserved to be nominated for the Joe Moore Award. Bryson Kuzdzal had a good game on the ground, largely because Michigan’s offensive line opened up driving lanes for him with ease. Granted, Maryland’s not very good along the line of scrimmage, but going into The Game, that’s the performance you want to see from your offensive line.
Grace: I felt like the game against Maryland was seeing the offense put a lot together and protecting the football. On defense, Michigan got some help from Maryland dropping passes, but it also made some plays and got pressure to the quarterback.
Dan: Michigan’s playing its best football at the right time. The progression for the offensive line, Bryce Underwood, and Andrew Marsh has made this offense look legit. Marsh stepping in on special teams helps, but that unit is still a major concern with Dominic Zvada being inconsistent in the kicking game. They need all three phases in unison to beat Ohio State on Saturday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMatt: That game was offensive efficiency at its finest. Michigan was an astounding 12-for-14 on third down, passed for 9.3 yards per attempt, and ran for 4.6 yards per attempt. While the defense wasn’t perfect, the offense took the step forward we needed to see prior to The Game.
Now we can turn our attention to The Game! With OSU at 11-0 and looking unstoppable, what singular thing worries you most about this Buckeyes squad?
Von: Their run defense. They have been stout at stopping the run all year long, which has turned opposing offenses one-dimensional. They have given up just three rushing touchdowns all season and allow less than 100 yards per game on average. Jordan Marshall will be good to go this week, so he will need to help Michigan by moving the chains and preventing the offense from becoming one-dimensional like the Buckeyes have done to opponents time and time again this year.
Andrew: A confident Ryan Day. Despite not solving his Michigan problem last year, Day went on to win a national championship in dominant fashion. Carrying over to this year, Day has coached with levity and control despite a roster that was completely overhauled in the offseason. He’s even made the hiring of Matt Patricia look inspired. When Day is at his best, it resonates throughout his teams. We’ll see if he’s at his best with a fifth straight loss on the table in cold weather this weekend.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNick: The big plays over the top with Jeremiah Smith. I know he’s banged up and didn’t play in their last game against Rutgers, but the kid is an alien and is still capable of breaking a game open when he’s not 100 percent. Michigan’s defense has given up some big plays in the passing game the last two weeks, so let’s hope it’s not a trend that continues.
Charles: The Game is usually about the running game, but I think this year will be more about Ohio State’s passing attack against Michigan’s secondary. In order to pull off an upset, I think the Wolverines need to keep them well below their average of 270.1 passing yards per game. If the Buckeyes are able to create big plays to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, it could be a long day for Michigan. However, if the Wolverines’ secondary can step up and play tight coverage, frustrate Ohio State’s wide receivers and potentially create turnovers, it should lead to a win.
Jake: Ohio State’s defense may be the best it has been in the last five years. There are bonafide first-round picks at every position, and in particular, the defensive line has been a brick wall all season. For a Michigan offense that is going to need to run the ball efficiently, it could be stopped in its tracks from the jump.
Kellen: I know they’re hurt, but Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate give the Buckeyes the best 1-2 punch in the passing game in the country. I’m worried Jyaire Hill and the rest of the secondary are going to get cooked, unless Ryan Day decides to not rely on his team’s biggest strength like he did last year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGrace: Their wide receivers.
Dan: The secondary, specifically Jyaire Hill. He’s been picked on quite a few times this season and I suspect the Buckeyes to do the same. If their receivers are healthy, they’re going to be a big threat to the defense. The way Ohio State blows this thing out of the water is a huge day from Julian Sayin to one (or more) of his many really talented wideouts.
Matt: The Buckeye defense is nasty. They have two of the top seven leaders in sacks in the Big Ten in Caden Curry and Arvell Reese. They also lead the country is both points allowed (7.6) and yards allowed per game (206.6) by a wide margin in both categories.
Sticking to the theme of just one thing, what singular thing must Michigan do to have a shot at pulling off a second straight upset?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementVon: Not to sound like a broken record with the last question, but win the rushing battle. More often than not, whichever team has more rushing yards wins this game. Michigan was able to win in major upset fashion last year because Kalel Mullings carried the offense on his back and got Michigan in field goal range at the end to set up Dominic Zvada’s go-ahead kick. The Wolverines will need Jordan Marshall and Bryson Kuzdzal to do the same thing this season, which would also provide Bryce Underwood opportunities in the play action game to hit Andrew Marsh and company down the field. Again, do NOT let OSU make you one-dimensional offensively.
Andrew: Run the damn ball. As has been the case since every year for a quarter century, win the rushing battle, win the game. Michigan should look to pound the rock to A) Wear down this defense, and B) Keep the ball away from the Buckeyes. It’s a tried and true recipe as classic as the Coca-Cola formula and still hits just as good to this day.
Nick: I think the running game’s efficiency has to stay where it’s been. Historically, the team that wins the rushing battle wins the game. If Michigan is able to put together long and methodical drives, it’ll be its best route to scoring and keeping Ohio State’s offense off the field.
Charles: Michigan must avoid turnovers at all costs. It’s going to be incredibly hard to pull off an upset if you give Ohio State quality field position. We have seen Bryce Underwood get sloppy at times this season, but he played a very smart game against Maryland (with the expection of one near-interception), so that should bode well for this week. Whichever team has less turnovers and more rushing yards will likely come out on top, so those areas will be key as always.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJake: Clock management. Michigan wins when it controls the time of possession, does not get into a shootout, and can run its tempo with minimal interruptions. Running the ball effectively is the key to winning The Game, and that is on Jordan Marshall/Bryson Kuzdzal and Bryce Underwood.
Kellen: Michigan has to do everything in its power to limit the pass game. Julian Sayin is a damn good quarterback, but every quarterback in the country is worse when you take away their top two receiving threats. Limiting the run is also important because it would force Sayin to try and beat you on his own on the road.
Grace: Win the turnover battle.
Dan: Control the clock and move the ball on the ground. That doesn’t mean not utilizing Underwood’s arm, but selectively choosing when to attack through the air. Michigan has won the last four years by limiting Ohio State’s opportunities and going on a long drive to get points in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines won’t keep up in a shootout, so they have to effectively rush the ball and own time of possession.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMatt: The Michigan defensive line has to get to the quarterback early and often. In a game in which it’s probable that Michigan will struggle to score, the defense needs to be elite. If you give Julian Sayin all day in the pocket, the Ohio State passing game will pick you apart. Derrick Moore and company need to make a living in the Buckeye backfield.
Give us a bold prediction for the game.
Von: Ohio State puts up more than 500 yards of total offense.
Andrew: Jordan Marshall rushes for more than 150 yards with two touchdowns behind a returning Max Bredeson.
Nick: I’ve got Bryce Underwood going over 50 yards rushing. His legs could be a big difference, especially since we haven’t seen the designed quarterback run be a huge part of the game plan in recent weeks. Now could be the time to go back to it and keep the Buckeyes off balance.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharles: I think Michigan has the ball, trailing by one possession in the fourth quarter, with a chance to tie or take the lead. It remains to be seen if Michigan has what it takes to pull off another upset over Ohio State and clinch a College Football Playoff spot, but it will likely take a clutch, late scoring drive to do so. We have seen this team put together two game-sealing or game-winning drives — wins at Nebraska and Northwestern — but doing it in The Game on a national stage with everything at stake would be unbelievable.
Jake: Dominic Zvada makes two 50+ yard field goals.
Kellen: Julian Sayin throws two picks for the first time since Ohio State played the Ohio Bobcats on Sept. 13.
Grace: I’ve been predicting it all season so why stop now? Michigan’s defense gets a score.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDan: Andrew Marsh sees double-digit targets, and Derrick Moore gets two sacks.
Matt: Ernest Hausmann returns and collects one of two Michigan interceptions on the day.
What’s the final score and why?
Von (11-0): Ohio State 30, Michigan 14. The Wolverines are humbled at home and finally lose to the Buckeyes for the first time since 2019.
Andrew (9-1): After last season, I said I would never pick against Michigan until it gives me a reason to. With that said, in the cold, the Wolverines pound the rock on offense and bend-don’t-break on defense. 27-24.
Nick (7-0): Four in a row has been wonderful, but I think Michigan’s number might be up this year. I’ve got Ohio State, 27-16. I think Ohio State will be able to exploit Michigan’s secondary a bit, and Julian Sayin has been doing some of the best quarterbacking in the country. He’ll make enough plays on Saturday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharles (1-0): It’s difficult to predict this game after what we witnessed in 2024. Now, you really can’t rule anything out. I think there is a world where Michigan is the more physical team, wins the turnover battle and scores a late touchdown to seal a fifth straight win over the Buckeyes, but I just can’t predict it. I’ll take Ohio State, 28-17. Michigan keeps it close into the fourth quarter, but the Buckeyes will finally snap their losing skid in the rivalry.
Jake (1-0): This is not going to be a high-scoring affair if Michigan comes out victorious. The momentum ridden into The Game is important, and until Ohio State shows the world it can beat the current Wolverines, give me 19-14, Michigan. The rivalry has a funny way of working out, and if this game was at The Shoe, I would feel very differently. But with the crowd behind them and the way history has unfolded in recent years, it is hard to shake off a skid (as Michigan knows all too well). Michigan gets the win and finds itself in the CFP, potentially setting up a rematch in a few weeks.
Kellen (10-1): On paper, Ohio State is the best team in the country and has the advantage pretty much everywhere except the offensive line. But if last year taught us anything, that doesn’t mean anything. I like that Michigan is home and is coming off one of, if not it’s best overall offensive game of the season. Ryan Day has led Ohio State to win this game before, but that hasn’t happened since 2019. I need Ohio State to prove it can vanquish its demons before picking it in this spot. Give me Michigan, 21-18, with Dominic Zvada winning it on a game-winning field goal for U-M’s fifth victory in The Game in a row. Mentally prepare yourself to see Michigan on that playoff graphic on Tuesday.
Grace (9-2): 28-21, Michigan. It’s at the Big House and Michigan isn’t going to be afraid of the Buckeyes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDan (9-2): Michigan’s football team is growing, but it has showed too many youthful flaws throughout the year for me to pick them in this game. Ohio State wins, 42-28, with a late touchdown to seal it.
Matt (10-0): Ohio State 31, Michigan 24. After last year, anything is possible in this matchup. While I don’t believe OSU is this juggernaut the national media would make you believe, Michigan has one too many flaws (pass blocking, wide receiver drops, defensive play calling, etc.) to get the job done and squeak into the CFP.
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