Key Takeaways
- Final Score: Michigan 30, Ohio State 24
- Total Yards: Michigan 378, Ohio State 342
- Turnovers: Ohio State 2, Michigan 1
- Top Performer: Michigan RB Blake Corum, 22 carries, 148 yards, 2 TD
- Game-Changing Metric: Michigan 8-of-14 on third down, Ohio State 5-of-13
Game Overview and Turning Points
The latest edition of Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines delivered another classic chapter in college football’s most storied rivalry. With College Football Playoff implications on the line, Michigan executed a balanced and efficient game plan to secure a 30-24 victory.
The decisive moments came in the second half. Michigan’s 12-play touchdown drive in the third quarter flipped win probability by nearly 18 percent, according to advanced modeling projections. Later, a fourth-quarter interception halted Ohio State’s red-zone momentum and sealed the outcome.
Complete Team Statistics Comparison
Category Ohio State Michigan Total Yards 342 378 Passing Yards 248 210 Rushing Yards 94 168 Third Down 5-13 8-14 Turnovers 2 1 Time of Possession 27:18 32:42
Michigan controlled tempo through sustained drives and situational efficiency. The Wolverines averaged 5.6 yards per play compared to Ohio State’s 5.1, but more importantly, they converted high-leverage downs.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Individual Player Stats
Quarterback Performance
- Kyle McCord: 24-of-38, 248 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
McCord showed poise early but struggled under pressure. His adjusted completion rate dropped nearly 12 percent when blitzed, and both interceptions came in high-leverage scenarios.
Rushing Leaders
- TreVeyon Henderson: 18 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
- Miyan Williams: 6 carries, 12 yards
Ohio State found limited success between the tackles, averaging just 3.8 yards per rush on standard downs.
Receiving Corps
- Marvin Harrison Jr.: 9 receptions, 118 yards
- Emeka Egbuka: 6 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD
Harrison accounted for 47 percent of Ohio State’s air yards, frequently drawing double coverage yet still producing explosive gains.
Defensive Standouts
- Tommy Eichenberg: 11 tackles, 1 TFL
- JT Tuimoloau: 2 sacks, 3 QB hurries
Michigan Wolverines: Individual Player Stats
Quarterback Efficiency
- J.J. McCarthy: 17-of-24, 210 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
McCarthy posted an efficiency rating of 162.4. His success rate on play-action exceeded 70 percent, creating favorable matchups downfield.
Dominant Ground Game
- Blake Corum: 22 carries, 148 yards, 2 TD
- Donovan Edwards: 10 carries, 44 yards
Corum generated 64 rushing yards after contact, showcasing elite vision and balance in critical moments.
Receiving Contributions
- Roman Wilson: 4 receptions, 76 yards
- Colston Loveland: 3 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Impact
- Junior Colson: 10 tackles
- Mike Sainristil: 1 interception, 3 pass breakups
Advanced Analytics and Efficiency Metrics
Success Rate
Michigan posted a 49 percent offensive success rate compared to Ohio State’s 43 percent. On early downs, Michigan averaged 6.2 yards per play, consistently staying ahead of schedule.
Expected Points Added (EPA)
Blake Corum led all players with +6.8 rushing EPA. Conversely, Ohio State’s two interceptions resulted in negative 8.4 EPA collectively.
Red Zone Efficiency
- Michigan: 3-for-4, 2 TD
- Ohio State: 2-for-4, 1 TD, 1 INT
The red-zone interception was a 9-point swing in expected outcome.
Historical Context: How This Game Compares
Over the last five meetings, Michigan has averaged 33.2 points against Ohio State after managing just 23.4 in the previous decade. Rushing dominance has been the consistent variable. In those victories, Michigan averaged 187 rushing yards per contest.
This performance aligns with that trend. Controlling the line of scrimmage remains the decisive formula in the rivalry.
Strategic Breakdown
Michigan’s Game Plan
- Heavy personnel packages to control tempo
- Play-action passing on first down
- Defensive man coverage supported by disguised blitz looks
Ohio State’s Adjustments
- Increased vertical routes in second half
- More aggressive defensive fronts on early downs
However, Michigan’s offensive line maintained a 78 percent pass-block win rate, neutralizing Ohio State’s edge rush.
Playoff and Big Ten Implications
With the win, Michigan strengthens its position for the Big Ten Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. The victory boosts their strength-of-schedule profile and reinforces their top-four ranking résumé.
Ohio State remains in contention but now depends on external results and potential chaos in conference championships.
Injury and Roster Notes
- Ohio State rotated its secondary following a minor first-half injury to a starting corner.
- Michigan reported no major long-term injuries postgame.
Depth proved particularly vital along Michigan’s defensive line, where consistent rotations preserved late-game stamina.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ohio State vs. Michigan Game
What was the final score of the Ohio State vs. Michigan game?
The final score was Michigan 30, Ohio State 24. Michigan used a strong run game and key third-down conversions to hold the lead late.
Who was the top performer in the game?
Michigan running back Blake Corum was the top performer. You saw him run 22 times for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus he led all players in rushing EPA.
Why did Michigan win the game?
You can credit Michigan’s win to better third-down offense, a more consistent run game, and a key red-zone interception on defense in the fourth quarter that stopped an Ohio State scoring chance.
How did the offensive stats compare between Ohio State and Michigan?
You saw Michigan finish with 378 total yards to Ohio State’s 342. Ohio State threw for more yards, but Michigan ran for 168 rushing yards and averaged more yards per play and a higher success rate.
What were the key turnovers and how did they affect the game?
You watched Ohio State turn the ball over twice on Kyle McCord interceptions, including one in the red zone. Those plays created a large negative EPA swing and helped Michigan protect its lead.
How does this game fit into the recent history of the rivalry?
In recent meetings, you’ve seen Michigan lean on its rushing attack to beat Ohio State. This game followed that trend, with Michigan again controlling the line of scrimmage and boosting its case for the Big Ten title and the College Football Playoff.
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