The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 21 BY ANTHONY BROOME AND MARK PANUS M ichigan hosts the Ohio State Buckeyes on Nov. 29 in Ann Ar- bor, looking to move its winning streak to 5-0 in the series since 2021. U-M, the 2023 national cham- pion, is expected to be back in the Col- lege Football Playoff picture this season, while the defending champion Buckeyes are reloading and gearing up for another title run. Regardless of the stakes, this will be one of the most anticipated games on the schedule this year, especially after the postgame tantrum from Ohio State on its home field after losing to Michigan, 13-10, as a three-touchdown favorite last season. Athlon Sports' Kyle Wood named the Michigan versus Ohio State showdown as the fourth-best college football game of the 2025 season. The Game ranked be- hind only 1. Texas at Ohio State, 2. LSU at Clemson and 3. Texas at Georgia, and ahead of 5. Notre Dame at Miami. "If not now, then when for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes?" the Athlon writer asked in the outlet's annual football preview magazine. "The Wolverines ex- tended their winning streak in the rivalry to four games last fall, putting more pres- sure on Day before Ohio State won it all. The series shifts back to Ann Arbor this season, where Michigan could be trotting out a true freshman quarterback. "If these teams have taught us any- thing, it's that anything can happen in The Game," Wood wrote. Athlon's Steven Lassan expanded on the storyline in a "15 things to watch" section, citing the heightened tensions in the rivalry. "The bitterness in the Ohio State- Michigan rivalry reached an all-time high last season," Lassan wrote. "The Wolverines stunned the Buckeyes in Co- lumbus as a three-touchdown underdog, and then the two teams traded blows in a postgame fight. "November was a turning point for both teams. Ohio State used that loss as motivation, reeling off four consecutive victories to win the national title. Amid a sluggish debut under new head coach Sherrone Moore, Michigan landed the commitment of 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood and closed the year with the win over the Buckeyes and a bowl victory over Alabama. "Even with arguably the best offensive player (wide receiver Jeremiah Smith) and defensive player (safety Caleb Downs) re- turning in college football, repeating as national champs is a huge ask for Ryan Day's team. New quarterback Julian Sayin is talented but has attempted only 12 ca- reer passes. The defense will be under construction with only three returning starters under new coordinator Matt Pa- tricia [longtime former NFL defensive coordinator with the New England Patri- ots and head coach of the Detroit Lions]. How fast Underwood develops looms large for Michigan's hopes of a return to the playoffs. But the young quarterback won't have to do it all on his own. The Wolverines have a standout backfield tandem in Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes, along with a stingy defense re- turning six starters. "Both Sayin and Underwood should The Drive For Five In '25 Michigan's Bid At A Fifth Straight Win Over Ohio State Is A Top National Storyline