The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 133 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE The team that finished fourth in the Big Ten standings won the national champi- onship — a sign of the times. The Buck- eyes captured their ninth-ever title in 2024 with a 14-2 overall record, capped off by an impressive four-game run in the College Football Playoff, with the No. 8 seed beat- ing Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame. Head coach Ryan Day has lost 10 regular- season games since taking over in 2019, with four of them coming against Michi- gan. The Wolverines won, 13-10, in Co- lumbus and planted their flag on the field (again) last year, but Ohio State rebounded in the postseason. As a result, the vibes in Ohio are better than they have been in some time. With the 12-team playoff starting last season, the Buckeyes showed that the championship is anybody's to grab come December and January. The Big Ten has won consecu- tive national championships for the first time since 1940-42, another display of the changing landscape. Last year's success created 2025 hurdles. Ohio State lost 14 players to the NFL Draft, highlighted by seven top-45 selections. Both coordinators are gone — OC Chip Kelly to the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders and DC Jim Knowles to Penn State. Wide re- ceivers coach Brian Hartline was promoted to lead the offense, while former Detroit Lions head coach and New England Patri- ots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is the new man in charge of the defense. He hasn't coached in college since his graduate assistant days at Syracuse from 2001-03. The offense will have a new starting quarterback for the third straight season, with sophomore Julian Sayin, who trans- ferred from Alabama in January 2024, the favorite to win the job. He was a reserve last season, completing 5 of his 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in four games. There are weapons galore for Sayin to work with, none better than sophomore wideout Jeremiah Smith. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Floridian set program freshman records with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, earning first- team All-America honors by USA Today. Juniors Carnell Tate (52 catches, 733 yards, 4 TD) and Brandon Innis (14 recep- tions, 176 yards, 1 TD) are returning talents at wideout, and Ohio State also signed a five-star at the position in Quincy Porter, a 6-4, 205-pound top-25 prospect. On top of that, Purdue transfer Max Klare, a third-team All-Big Ten pick last season, hauled in 51 receptions for 685 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. Only two starters return on the offensive line, and sophomore running back James Peoples is unproven, with 197 yards rush- ing and 2 TDs in limited action in 2024. Ohio State's defense led the nation in points (12.9) and yards (254.6) allowed per game last season. While only three starters are back and there's a new coordinator, that unit is expected to be strong once again. Junior safety Caleb Downs is one of the best defenders in America. He had 81 tack- les last season, adding 7.5 stops for loss, 6 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. Senior linebacker Sonny Styles was a second-team All-Big Ten standout a year ago, recording 100 tackles — including 10.5 for loss and 6 sacks — and 5 pass breakups. There are major questions about the de- fensive line. Last year's entire starting front four was taken in the NFL Draft. The Buckeyes added North Carolina transfer Beau Atkinson (11 sacks in two sea- sons), but defensive tackle is unproven, in- cluding with depth, though junior Kayden McDonald (6-3, 326) and sophomore Ed- drick Houston (6-3, 270) have been in the system as reserves, developing behind those NFL players. ❑ Jeremiah Smith was named the Big Ten's Rich- ter-Howard Wide Receiver of the Year and the Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year in 2024. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETICS 2025 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2024 Result Aug. 30 TEXAS W, 28-14 Sept. 6 GRAMBLING STATE — Sept. 13 OHIO — Sept. 27 at Washington — Oct. 4 MINNESOTA — Oct. 11 at Illinois — Oct. 18 at Wisconsin — Nov. 1 PENN STATE W, 20-13 Nov. 8 at Purdue W, 45-0 Nov. 15 UCLA — Nov. 22 RUTGERS — Nov. 29 at Michigan L, 13-10 REASONS FOR OPTIMISM • WR Jeremiah Smith and S Caleb Downs are surefire All-Americans • QB Julian Sayin was a five-star+ prospect • Selective transfer additions Despite the Michigan problem, Ryan Day has had tremendously talented rosters and overall regular-season success, so the Buck- eyes should consistently make the CFP. REASONS FOR CONCERN • Roster and staff turnover • Buckeyes haven't beaten Michigan since 2019 • Texas is a tough opener It's not easy for a different group to repli- cate the success of a prior one — just ask last year's Michigan team. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES • NOV. 29 • GAME 12 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 62-51-6 (2010 OSU win vacated) First Meeting: U-M 34, OSU 0 (Oct. 16, 1897, in Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 13, OSU 10 (Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio) Head Coach: Ryan Day, 70-10 at Ohio State (seventh year) and overall 2024 In Review: 14-2, 7-2 Big Ten Final 2024 Ranking: No. 1 by Associated Press and Coaches Returning Starters: 9 (4 offense, 3 de- fense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2024 (Cotton Bowl vs. Texas, W 28-14) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Julian Sayin (84 yards, 1 TD) Rushing: James Peoples (197 yards, 2 TD) Receiving: Jeremiah Smith (1,315 yards, 15 TD) Tackles: Sonny Styles (100) Sacks: Sonny Styles (6) Interceptions: Caleb Downs, Davison Ig- binosun (2) Ohio State Is Coming Off Ninth-Ever National Championship