Lead
On Saturday in Ann Arbor, No. 1 Ohio State meets No. 18 Michigan in the 120th edition of “The Game,” a matchup with immediate College Football Playoff implications. The Wolverines enter having won four straight meetings, while the Buckeyes remain top-ranked in the CFP poll. College Football Hall of Famer Urban Meyer publicly predicted an Ohio State victory and identified two Buckeye receivers as pivotal. The two teams kick off at 12:00 PM ET on FOX.
Key Takeaways
- 120th meeting: Ohio State (No. 1) travels to Ann Arbor to face Michigan (No. 18) on Saturday at 12:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Rivalry trend: Michigan has won four straight matchups after Ohio State had an eight-game streak from 2012–2019.
- Meyer’s pick: Urban Meyer favors Ohio State and names Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate as the game’s decisive players.
- Receiver impact: Smith and Tate missed Ohio State’s last game and combine for 108 catches, 1,613 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
- Playoff stakes: A Michigan win would leave the Wolverines 10–2 (8–1) heading into selection show and could put them in at-large consideration.
- Quarterback context: Julian Sayin will make his first start in the rivalry for Ohio State, with Smith and Tate as primary targets.
- Line and expectations: Meyer noted a betting spread of 10.5, signaling market belief in Ohio State despite Michigan’s current run.
Background
The Ohio State–Michigan rivalry is one of college football’s oldest and most consequential fixtures. This is the 120th meeting between the programs; the game often decides conference races and influences national title paths. From 2012 through 2019 Ohio State won eight straight against Michigan, a run that flipped following Meyer’s departure in 2018.
Michigan has won four straight in the series, including a 13–10 victory in Columbus last season over the eventual national champions. The Wolverines’ current momentum includes five consecutive wins since a 31–13 loss at USC on October 11, and that run has renewed talk of postseason credentials for coach Sherrone Moore’s squad.
Main Event
Urban Meyer, the College Football Hall of Famer who coached Ohio State from 2012–2018 and went 7–0 against Michigan during his tenure, publicly predicted an Ohio State win ahead of Saturday’s kickoff. He emphasized the availability of wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate as the fulcrum of his assessment.
Meyer said the Buckeyes’ ability to cover and move the ball hinges on those two receivers; if they play, he said, Ohio State’s offense is markedly stronger. He referenced the betting market, noting a spread near 10.5 points, and suggested that the line aligns with his view that Ohio State is a clear favorite when at full strength.
Smith and Tate both sat out Ohio State’s most recent game against Rutgers. Together this season they have totaled 108 receptions for 1,613 yards and 17 touchdowns, figures that underscore why their presence matters for quarterback Julian Sayin, who will be making his rivalry debut as a starter.
For Michigan, the defensive game plan will be crucial: stopping the Buckeyes’ top targets and forcing Ohio State into mistakes could narrow the spread. Conversely, Ohio State’s defense has shown enough consistency for Meyer to predict difficulty for Michigan’s offense in moving the ball on Saturday.
Analysis & Implications
Short-term implications are straightforward: a loss by Ohio State would likely remove them from the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings and complicate their path to the title game. The Buckeyes have been No. 1 in all three CFP releases so far this season, so a defeat in a high-profile rivalry undercuts their résumé.
For Michigan, a win would conclude the regular season at 10–2 (8–1) and strengthen a case for an at-large CFP berth, though selection would depend on other conference champions and final committee assessments. The Wolverines’ five-game winning streak since Oct. 11 has restored credibility, but the committee weighs quality wins and strength of schedule as well.
Personnel availability is a key variable. The combined production of Smith and Tate (108 catches, 1,613 yards, 17 TDs) means their status affects game script: if they play, Ohio State can sustain drives and pressure the Michigan secondary; if they do not, Ohio State must rely more on the run game and short passing to control possession.
Longer-term, the result will shape recruiting narratives and program momentum. A continued Wolverines streak further cements Jim Harbaugh-era—or his successor’s—momentum in the rivalry, while an Ohio State victory would signal that the Buckeyes can still dominate big-game environments despite recent struggles in the series.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Smith + Tate (2025) | Michigan Run |
|---|---|---|
| Combined receptions | 108 | — |
| Combined receiving yards | 1,613 | — |
| Combined touchdowns | 17 | — |
| Michigan winning streak vs OSU | 4 games | 5-game team win streak since Oct. 11 |
The table highlights the concentration of Ohio State’s receiving production in two players and contrasts that with Michigan’s recent team momentum. If those receivers are inactive, Ohio State’s statistical isolation increases; if active, they present a matchup problem for Michigan’s secondary.
Reactions & Quotes
“Two names: Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. If they play, they cover. If they don’t, they won’t.”
Urban Meyer (paraphrased quote reported by On3)
“I still think the Buckeyes win — I don’t see the Wolverines moving the ball against that defense.”
Urban Meyer (paraphrased quote reported by On3)
“Vegas has the spread near 10.5, which aligns with expectations that Ohio State is favored when healthy.”
Sportsbook market commentary
Unconfirmed
- Final availability of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate for Saturday’s game has not been officially confirmed by Ohio State at game time.
- Whether a Michigan win would be sufficient to secure an at-large CFP spot for the Wolverines depends on committee deliberations and outcomes elsewhere and therefore remains uncertain.
- The precise effect of Smith/Tate availability on margin of victory (e.g., a two‑score game) is speculative and contingent on in-game factors.
Bottom Line
The Game on Saturday is more than rivalry pride: it has tangible playoff consequences and hinges on personnel questions that could tilt the matchup. Urban Meyer’s public pick for Ohio State rests heavily on the presence of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, whose combined production this season is among the most impactful in college football.
Watch the injury reports before kickoff and the first quarter for how game script develops; those early signals will clarify whether Ohio State can leverage its pass game or whether Michigan’s defense will control tempo. Regardless of outcome, the result will shape CFP conversations and the short-term trajectory for both programs.