The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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34 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Michigan held Ohio State's vaunted aerial attack — and first-round NFL Draft pick Emeka Egbuka — to a total of 175 yards passing and 1 TD while notching 2 interceptions in last year's 13-10 U-M victory. The two teams will meet for the 121st time on Nov. 29. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Top Five Most Anticipated Games 1. Nov. 29 vs. Ohio State — Make that four in a row now against the rival Buckeyes after last year's 13-10 Michigan stunner in the 'Shoe. The Wolverines will look to make it five straight when a revamped OSU squad heads north for The Game at the end of November. Each year, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day insists his team un- derstands the rivalry, has prepared for the game like no other, etc., but the results have been the same. They're running out of excuses in Columbus, and how sweet would it be if they had to come up with another? Don't bet against it given U-M's confidence level against the team that can't seem to beat the Wolverines anymore. 2. Sept. 6 at Oklahoma Like Michigan, the Sooners will have a lot to prove after a 6-7 sea- son. Few pundits have picked them in their "way too early" preseason top 25 polls, even though Brent Venables' team has several players back from a group that ranked seventh in the SEC last season in yards per play. New quarterback and Washington State transfer John Mateer is very talented, but this should be a winnable road game at U-M head coach Sherrone Moore's alma mater. 3. Oct. 5 at USC The Trojans have plenty of question marks, starting at quarterback where Jayden Maiava took over for four games last year and had his ups and downs. You won't see them on many preseason top 25 lists, but head coach Lincoln Riley has overachieved before, and there are still plenty of athletes on the roster. More than that — it's simply tough to travel to the West Coast and win a true road game. Not since 1989, at UCLA, has U-M won a true road game on the left coast. This will be a tough one. 4. Sept. 21 at Nebraska The Cornhuskers have their share of question marks, too, but quarterback Dylan Raiola should be improved after throwing for 2,819 yards as a true freshman. This is always a physical game, and it's one of the rowdiest Big Ten environments. The conference opener will be a big test, but also a huge opportunity. 5. Nov. 2 at Michigan State The Spartans only land here because the Michigan sched- ule is a bit lighter this year. Ve- gas has set their win total line at 4.5 games, and the Spartans don't seem to have a lot going for them outside of receiver Nick Marsh and maybe quarterback Aidan Chiles, if he makes a big leap in Year 2 as a starter. U-M seems primed to assume total control of the series by winning a fourth straight.