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Game Thread THE GAME: tOSU at tCun, Sat. Nov. 29th, 12 pm ET, FOX

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2025 College Football Playoff picture: Each week's most important game in shaping 12-team race

Picking one game for each week of the 2025 college football schedule with CFP implications
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2025 College Football Playoff picture: Each week's most important game in shaping 12-team race​

Picking one game for each week of the 2025 college football schedule with CFP implications​

Week 14: Ohio State at Michigan​

The assignment or prompt matters, because any preview of the 2025 college football schedule must list Ohio State at Michigan as the game of the week. It does not matter whether you're predicting CFP implications or games that fans are most anticipating, the answer to all of it is "yes."

It does not even matter that Ohio State lost this game and went on to win the national championship, because the implications stemming for a win or loss for both teams exceeds the limits of any postseason format. Ohio State has to beat Michigan, and Michigan wants nothing more than to beat Ohio State for a fifth straight season. Yes, there is plenty more to keep in consideration for CFP reasons like Texas A&M at Texas, Clemson at South Carolina and the Iron Bowl, but the pressure packed into the Big House when the two most recent national champions square off is where the Week 14 spotlight must start in any conversation.
 
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Way-Too-Early Top 25: Games that will make or break each team's season

Here are the dates college football fans need to circle on their 2025 calendars.
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Games that will define each top college football team's 2025 season​

1. Ohio State Buckeyes
For Ohio State and star receiver Jeremiah Smith, beating Michigan remains the primary goal on the 2025 schedule. Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire
2024 record: 14-2, 7-2 Big Ten

Season-defining game: Nov. 29 at Michigan

Is there a team in college football with a game more defining than Ohio State's trip to Michigan on Nov. 29? Ohio State faces Texas in the opener in a rematch of this past season's thrilling playoff semifinal -- and what could be a showdown of No. 1 vs. No. 2. On Nov. 1, the Buckeyes will take on former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and Penn State, ranked third in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings. Yet neither of those scintillating matchups will trump "The Game" for the Buckeyes, who have lost four in a row in the series, including last season's stunning 13-10 defeat at home. Ohio State rebounded from that devastating loss to roll through the playoff, capturing the program's first national championship since 2014. Still, losing once to the Wolverines is unacceptable for Buckeye Nation, much less four straight. Ohio State can defeat Texas and Penn State. But if the Buckeyes lose yet again to Michigan, the season will seem like a disappointment for those in Columbus -- short of it ending with another national championship. -- Jake Trotter


ESPN reveals game that will 'Define' Ohio State football's 2025 Season​

Can the Ohio State Buckeyes break their losing streak in 2025?

Jake Trotter's analysis of Ohio State's 2025 football season hits the nail on the head, particularly when he points out the magnitude of the upcoming game against Michigan on November 29. Despite opening the season with a high-stakes rematch against Texas and a much-anticipated showdown with Penn State in early November, it's clear that no game on Ohio State's schedule carries the same weight as "The Game" against Michigan.

As Trotter aptly notes, Ohio State's recent history in the rivalry has been nothing short of frustrating for Buckeye fans. After losing four consecutive matchups to Michigan, including last season’s shocking 13-10 defeat in Columbus, the pressure is immense. Even though Ohio State went on to win a national championship after that loss, Buckeye Nation's hunger to beat That Team Up North was not fulfilled.

Trotter’s view is one that almost every Buckeye fan can agree with: for Ohio State, this game feels like a defining moment not only for the 2025 season but for the future of the program under head coach Ryan Day. A national title is always cherished, but there’s something unique about the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry. It’s more than just a game—it’s an identity.

In Columbus, winning "The Game" isn’t just a box to check on the way to a bigger prize; it’s an end in itself. The wounds of four straight defeats run deep, and as Trotter suggests, the Buckeyes can conquer all other challenges this season, but if they can’t topple Michigan, the season will need another national championship to not feel like a letdown.
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Every college football preseason top-25 team's most important game on 2025 schedule​

A look at the games every team has circled on their 2025 slates.​

3. Ohio State Buckeyes​

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Most important game: at Michigan, Nov. 29
Four-straight losses in the series, but with a national championship included. The Buckeyes would probably take that exact finish over the next four years under Ryan Day if it guaranteed another title, but who wants to continue to be beaten by their rivals? Michigan should be improved in 2025 and the winner of this one in Ann Arbor likely punches a playoff ticket. That's not how it worked out for the Wolverines last year, but Ohio State is the only preseason top-20 team on Michigan's schedule this fall.

Just sayin':

1) I find it strange that scUM's most important game is vs. USC:
This one's up for debate, but a win over the Trojans would potentially set everything up for the Wolverines nearing the midseason point. Trips to Oklahoma and Nebraska come before this one for Sherrone Moore's team, but if they win those and beat Wisconsin, then going to California with an opportunity at a 6-0 start changes the narrative nationally surrounding this program.

and

2) Ped State's most important game is vs. Indiana:
Before anyone panics with this stunning pick, pay attention to this: Penn State nearly reached the national championship last season despite losing to the two best teams it played during the regular season (Ohio State and then Oregon for the Big Ten title). This fall's slate includes the Buckeyes and Ducks again, but we believe 10 wins in the regular season for the Nittany Lions would be enough to get an at-large berth given the Big Ten's overall strength. That makes the home game with Indiana down the stretch a must-win.
 
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Skull Session: Ohio State and Michigan Could Sell Naming Rights to The Game, Buckeyes Hope for Monday Commitment and Marvin Harrison Jr. Dunks

Ohio State and Michigan could sell naming rights to The Game, a #BOOM could be coming this afternoon and Marvin Harrison Jr. shows off his dunking skill.
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Skull Session: Ohio State and Michigan Could Sell Naming Rights to The Game, Buckeyes Hope for Monday Commitment and Marvin Harrison Jr. Dunks​

THE GAME PRESENTED BY... The annual Ohio State vs. Michigan football matchup has long been known simply as The Game, and those are the only two words needed to highlight the magnitude of the rivalry. As college football teams look for new revenue streams to help offset the increased expenses of revenue sharing, however, The Game could soon have a longer, more corporate title.

Last week, Dave Briggs of the Toledo Blade asked Ross Bjork about the possibility of Ohio State and Michigan selling naming rights to The Game. And Ohio State’s athletic director certainly didn’t shoot down the possibility.

“I believe our Learfield and Ohio State Sports Properties still have this on their inventory list but nothing has come together just yet,” Bjork said in an email. “Maybe someday soon!”

Added a Michigan spokesman: “I'm sure both schools will be approached about this opportunity again given the changing nature of college athletics.”

It wouldn’t be the first time Ohio State and Michigan have worked together to brand their rivalry game with an official sponsor. Back in 2004, Michigan and Ohio State agreed to a two-year, $1 million deal with SBC – which has since rebranded as AT&T – to rename The Game as the SBC Michigan-Ohio State Classic. The contract was ultimately voided due to backlash from both fan bases.

But that was before the professionalization of college sports began. While Bjork knows it is important to maintain Ohio State’s traditions, he also knows maximizing revenue is more important than it’s ever been before as OSU begins sharing revenue with athletes while also trying to provide them the best resources possible.

“Always protect tradition, but don't think traditionally about innovation and modernization,” Ohio State AD Ross Bjork told (the Toledo Blade) last year. “And I think you just have to be transparent and say, ‘Hey, we're in a revenue-based enterprise, now more than ever.’

“If we're going to kind of peel away Band-Aids, let's start ripping them off sooner rather than later and get to a place where we're transparent about everything. We state our case, we honor tradition, knowing that we have this economic engine that's not going to slow down.”
 
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gmen6981 said:
After yesterday, anything short of pounding these cheating fucks faces 10 feet into their own field in front of their own fans and a national audience is failure.
Those arrogant cheating cocksuckers MUST be destroyed!

FUCK M*CH*GAN!!!!!
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This is a job for Evil Ryan Day.

I don't ever want to see Ryan Day coaching against these cock-smokes again. Only Evil Ryan Day.
 
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Job #1 is obviously to win. That can't be understated.

After that, I used to be of the opinion that we shouldn't even look like we're about to plant a flag. I used to think we could leave that corny shit to teams like Michigan who haven't been what Ohio State is for at least 50 years....probably more. Now? I say we light the fucking building on fire on our way out the door.
 
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BuckeyeNation27 said:
Job #1 is obviously to win. That can't be understated.

After that, I used to be of the opinion that we shouldn't even look like we're about to plant a flag. I used to think we could leave that corny shit to teams like Michigan who haven't been what Ohio State is for at least 50 years....probably more. Now? I say we light the fucking building on fire on our way out the door.
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Yep. I used to always believe that the Bucks should keep it classy and stay above the petty silliness and refrain from acting like that.
But now? Honor the 1973 team and tear down their stupid banner coming out of the tunnel. Pound them into oblivion and taunt their arrogant fans while doing it. Plant the flag in that shithole and let the entire team give them the Marcus Hall treatment on the way off the field. Fuck em'
 
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USC success vs. Michigan​

  1. Attack the interior, force the defense to overcommit, then work outside Because Michigan gave up so many rushing yards, USC used gap-run schemes to test the defensive line and linebackers. Once Michigan’s front seven had to lean into run support, USC could threaten to stretch toward the edges or with RPOs.
  2. Use misdirection, counters, and cutbacks Big rushing yards often come when defenders are pulled one way and then the play cuts back. The 49-yard 3rd-down run indicates that Michigan’s pursuit, containment, or alignment was thrown off. USC used counter to really exploit Michigan’s run defense.
  3. Leverage QB reads/RPOs to freeze defenders USC used RPO plays (or at least had a threat of QB run), and defenders became conflicted. If a linebacker or safety cheats toward the run, you throw; if they drop or stay, you run. That hesitation in the defense is gold.
  4. Maximize protection, delay pressure, and neutralize blitzes Because Michigan got zero sacks, USC’s protection must have been solid. They used slide protections, chip blocks, or quick-release route concepts (e.g. short throws, screens, check-downs) whenever Michigan showed blitz or pressure.
  5. Scripted early drives/tempo to exploit soft spots before adjustments Many offenses script their first 10–15 plays knowing the defense has limited time to adjust. USC likely ran a strong early script to test Michigan’s run fits and coverage matchups. Also, the tempo or cadence changes can prevent the defense from substituting or aligning perfectly.
  6. Isolate matchups in space USC’s receivers and backs could take advantage of Michigan’s second-level defenders or safeties. If Michigan had to bring linebackers into coverage, USC could send a back or a receiver to exploit that matchup. The pass-yielding numbers in the game (USC 265 passing yards) suggest Michigan’s coverage was punished.
  7. Sustain drives, convert third downs, wear down defense Converting 50% of third downs shows USC’s offense didn’t settle. They likely kept moving the chains (a mix of runs, passes, intermediate routes) so Michigan’s defense couldn’t rest or rotate. The cumulative effect of long drives wears down front-line defenders.

How Michigan’s defensive scheme may have failed​

Even the best schematic offense can fail vs a disciplined defense, but in this case, based on film, Michigan’s struggles weren’t just about bad plays — they were also scheme-related or caused by being forced into reactive positions.
Here are likely failure points on Michigan’s side:
  • Poor tackling/missed angles: 14 missed tackles is a lot. Even if your scheme is tight, missed fundamentals kill your defense.
  • Inability to generate pressure /pass rush breakdowns: Without pressure, USC’s QB and receivers had time. Michigan didn’t convert that schematic edge into execution.
  • Overcommitment to the run or misread reactions: USC may have baited Michigan into overpursuit or misalignment, then punished with cutbacks or play-action.
  • Fatigue on the front lines/ personnel rotation: If USC sustained long drives, Michigan’s defensive front could have worn down, losing leverage on blocks and gap control.
  • Rigid assignments/inability to adjust in-game: USC adjusted mid-game (e.g. adding screens, changing run directions) and Michigan’s defense couldn’t counter quickly.
  • Suboptimal matchups in coverage: If Michigan put linebackers or safeties in coverage on faster receivers or backs, USC likely schemed to target those mismatches (e.g. crossing routes, drag routes, option routes).
 
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Dunno about all the above stuff (actually, I do), but can guarantee there will be more than the average share of big hitting in this game. If the talking heads can give us a dead mic, then one can hear the banging of shoulder pads on each and every snap. Always thought (been told), that the mutual respect made it one of the cleanest games of the year, but when saw two X guys untying a Buckeye RB's shoe laces, that went out the window. Am also certain that tOSU coaches will spend time pouring over the USC game tapes, but can throw them out of the window for this one. Woody always made it clear that tOSU did 15 minutes a practice allocated to Xichigan game, but haven't seen/heard (?) about Day doing the same. PS, hopefully someone can refute me, but Xichigan has risen up to smite the mighty Buckeyes when they were the underdog more often than tOSU has returned the favor. Anyway, we all live and die - and I've taken too much grief from guys at golf club, even when I point out that TTUN is 6-18 for the 20th century. Go Bucks!
 
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calibuck said:
Dunno about all the above stuff (actually, I do), but can guarantee there will be more than the average share of big hitting in this game. If the talking heads can give us a dead mic, then one can hear the banging of shoulder pads on each and every snap. Always thought (been told), that the mutual respect made it one of the cleanest games of the year, but when saw two X guys untying a Buckeye RB's shoe laces, that went out the window. Am also certain that tOSU coaches will spend time pouring over the USC game tapes, but can throw them out of the window for this one. Woody always made it clear that tOSU did 15 minutes a practice allocated to Xichigan game, but haven't seen/heard (?) about Day doing the same. PS, hopefully someone can refute me, but Xichigan has risen up to smite the mighty Buckeyes when they were the underdog more often than tOSU has returned the favor. Anyway, we all live and die - and I've taken too much grief from guys at golf club, even when I point out that TTUN is 6-18 for the 20th century. Go Bucks!
Click to expand...

Tie your golf friends shoes together and glue a head cover on every time they give you shit.
 
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