Overview
- No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) visits No. 15 Michigan (9-2) on Saturday at noon ET on FOX, with an OSU win clinching a Big Ten title game berth and a Michigan win keeping the Wolverines’ championship and playoff hopes alive.
- Day struck a combative tone this week, saying “fun is kicking ass,” and he labeled Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood “a dangerous player.”
- Ohio State arrives with the nation’s top defense under first-year coordinator Matt Patricia, leading major categories including total and scoring defense, against a Michigan attack built on a powerful ground game and a mobile QB.
- Key availability notes: Ohio State receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate were expected to get practice reps after injuries; Michigan will be without RB Justice Haynes and S Rod Moore, with RB Jordan Marshall and WR Semaj Morgan expected back.
- Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin leads the nation in completion percentage and passer rating, while Michigan enters riding four straight wins in the series, including last year’s 13-10 upset in Columbus.