The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry takes center stage again as both programs prepare for their November showdown under head coaches Ryan Day and Sherrone Moore.
Michigan’s 13-10 upset in Columbus last season proved to be a turning point for the Buckeyes. Ohio State rebounded with victories over Tennessee and Oregon before securing dramatic wins in the Cotton Bowl and national championship game against Notre Dame.
It was Ohio State’s first national title since the 2014-15 season.
CBS Sports analyst Chip Patterson identified “The Game” as one of 14 crucial matchups that could shape the College Football Playoff picture.
The stakes remain high for both programs. Moore’s Wolverines seek their fifth straight victory in the series, while Day’s team aims to end that streak.
“It does not even matter that Ohio State lost this game and went on to win the national championship because the implications stemming for a win or loss for both teams exceeds the limits of any postseason format,” Patterson wrote. “Ohio State has to beat Michigan, and Michigan wants nothing more than to beat Ohio State for a fifth straight season.”
The matchup carries extra weight this season as both programs continue their upward trajectory. While other rivalry games fill the schedule that weekend, Ohio State-Michigan stands apart.
The teams meet in Ann Arbor on November 30. Their records and playoff positioning will determine if the game lives up to its early billing.
