The Game 2025: Ohio State Vs. Michigan Preview

For Michigan, the stakes are just as high. A 10-2 Wolverines squad with a victory over the nation’s No. 1 team would likely vault into the top 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings. If Michigan wins and the Oregon Ducks fall on the road to the Washington Huskies on Saturday, the Wolverines would punch their ticket to the Big Ten title game.

Ohio State Injury Report

The biggest question mark for the 2025 version of The Game is the injury report. Both teams enter the matchup with several key contributors listed as questionable.

For the Buckeyes, the focus is on the superstar wide receiver duo of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Tate has not played since Nov. 1 against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Meanwhile, Smith left the Nov. 15 game against the UCLA Bruins in the first half and missed the Nov. 22 matchup against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

In regards to the injuries, media speculation has been all over the place. Some believe the missed games were precautionary and meant to preserve both stars for the Michigan matchup and beyond. Others think the injuries could be worse than publicly reported.

As of last Friday, a source close to the team said both players are expected to be ready, although Tate carries slightly more risk than Smith.

Ohio State insider Austin Ward reported Monday morning that he is very confident Jeremiah Smith will play, while Tate’s status remains uncertain.

Smith addressed his situation on Caleb Downs’ podcast Monday evening, saying, “I’m feeling good. Dealing with a little situation injury-wise, but I should be good to go Saturday.”

Ohio State analyst Bobby Carpenter added that Carnell Tate wants to play and will try to be out there if his body allows it.

Day also weighed in on Monday evening on the Buckeye Roundtable Show when asked whether Smith and Tate were trending in the right direction. “They are. They’re going to continue to get some rest tonight. They had a good day of rehab. So we’ll wake up in the morning and see how they’re doing, but nobody wants to play more than those two guys.”

Both players have also liked and reposted several tweets on Twitter regarding their status. Some reassure fans they will be ready, while others focus on the rivalry, showing how much this game means to them.

The day of The Game, Nov. 29, is also Jeremiah Smith’s birthday. Before the season, he said, “I just hate them. There’s just something about them. For the next two years, I promise I will not lose to them.” Given that mindset, it would have to be decided by the medical staff to keep him off the field.

With only a few days until kickoff, their availability will remain one of the biggest storylines of the week.

Michigan Injury Report

For the Wolverines, the running back room has been hit hardest by injuries. Star Justice Haynes is set to miss Saturday’s game, having been sidelined since Oct. 25 with a foot injury.

Jordan Marshall, the other key backfield contributor, missed last week’s game against the Maryland Terrapins but is expected to play Saturday.

Michigan’s defense has also taken a hit. Starting safety Rod Moore was diagnosed with a torn ACL on Monday, ending his season. Starting linebacker Ernest Hausman missed last Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury and is listed as day-to-day according to head coach Sherrone Moore.

Additionally, on offense, starting receiver Semaj Morgan missed last Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury but is expected to be ready Saturday. Captain and starting fullback Max Bredeson was seen in a walking boot after Saturday’s game as well. Sherrone Moore said Monday, “X-rays, we’ll see. Didn’t look great, but if anybody can push through it, it’s Max Bredeson. We’ll know more as we go through the week.”

Ohio State By The Numbers

No. 1 Ohio State enters this game as the most dominant team in the country. The defense has allowed only 7.6 points per game through 11 contests and has forced 12 turnovers.

On offense, quarterback Julian Sayin has thrown for 2,832 yards and 27 touchdowns. The committee-based run game has added 22 touchdowns and is averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

This dominance has also been the story heading into The Game in recent seasons. Last year, Ohio State’s offense looked explosive before scoring only 10 points at home against a 6–5 Michigan team.

In 2022, the Buckeyes’ defense entered the matchup allowing just over 16 points per game, but gave up 45 on their home field. The offense that year had averaged 46.5 points per game heading into the duel, yet looked stalled against Michigan.

Many point to Day and his coordinators for these repeated setbacks, and he will have the chance to change that narrative this time.

Michigan By The Numbers

For Michigan, its season has been inconsistent. That has been shown through starting quarterback Bryce Underwood. He has struggled in several moments this season, and many of his performances have left Wolverine fans wanting more. Starting any freshman quarterback in the Big Ten is a bold move, no matter how highly touted he was coming out of high school.

The flashes have still been there, though. Last Saturday, Underwood went 16 of 23 for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

Michigan has leaned heavily on its run game. The Wolverines have rushed for 2,458 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. Without Justice Haynes, the attack has lost its versatility but remains a major threat. Backup Jordan Marshall has delivered in a big way, rushing for 460 yards and six touchdowns across his three starts.

Freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh has also emerged as of late. Two weeks ago, he posted 12 catches for 189 yards against the Northwestern Wildcats. He followed that up with five catches for 76 yards and a score against Maryland.

Defensively, Michigan always seems to rise to the moment in The Game. The Wolverines have forced six interceptions over the past three meetings. They have also generated 17 total turnovers this season.

End Of My Ohio State Buckeyes Vs. Michigan Wolverines Rant

The 2025 version of The Game brings heavy pressure for both teams. For Day, it’s about protecting his legacy. For Ohio State, it’s about handling business. For Michigan, it’s about earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The matchup will continue to draw major attention as the week moves on and intensity builds toward kickoff. ESPN’s College GameDay and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff will also be in Ann Arbor, adding even more hype to an already massive showdown.

The Game kicks off this Saturday at noon on FOX.