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It’s been zero days since Ohio State beat Michigan.
The top-ranked team in the nation got sweet revenge, snapping a four-game losing streak against its arch-rival with a 27-9 victory in the Big House.
The first few minutes appeared to be all Michigan as the Wolverines scored a field goal on their first drive, picked off Julian Sayin on the Buckeyes’ second play and kicked another field goal after.
But the field goals would prove to be a disadvantage compared to the Buckeyes’ touchdowns that followed.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) celebrates a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Nov. 29, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Ohio State’s first score came on a field goal that cut its deficit in half. But early in the second, Sayin found Jeremiah Smith for a 35-yard touchdown. The play was reviewed for a potential touchback, and it appeared that Smith lost control of the ball for a split second and did not regain it until he was out of bounds beyond the pylon, which would have resulted in a touchback. However, the judges accepted the call.
Michigan kicked another field goal, but the Buckeyes marched down the field again to end the first half with a touchdown by Brandon Innis to go up by eight points. Snow then began to fall, and it seemed to play right into Ohio State’s hands.
Ohio State and Michigan traded punts to begin the second half, but Michigan’s was just an 11-yarder that gave OSU great field position. On just the second play of the drive, Carnell Tate, playing in his first game since Nov. 1, scored a 50-yard touchdown to put the Buckeyes up 24-9.
Carnell Tate of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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After forcing another punt, Ohio State then went on a 20-play drive. The Wolverines were able to force a field goal, but it made it a three-possession game, all while killing a lot of clock. It was a 27-9 Buckeyes lead with 8:10 left and there was nothing Michigan could do the rest of the way.
Sayin completed 19 of his 26 passes for 233 yards as the Buckeyes ran for another 186. Michigan’s Bryce Underwood was 8-for-18 for 63 yards while the Wolverines had 100 yards rushing.
It had been since 2019 that Ohio State last beat Michigan, and last year’s loss in Columbus as a three-touchdown favorite was the biggest upset in the history of the rivalry. Michigan players planted their flag at midfield in Columbus, leading to a brawl. It was certainly all bulletin board material for the Buckeyes to remember for nearly 365 days.
Ohio State couldn’t plant its flag right away because Michigan players were guarding their midfield logo. But the players had to celebrate with lots of red-clad fans in Ann Arbor.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Nov. 29, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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Ohio State will now face Indiana, the second-ranked team in the nation, in the Big Ten championship next week, while Michigan will wait to see which bowl game it will play in.
