It’s “The Game” week at Ann Arbor this weekend. The anticipation is higher than ever as Ohio State meets Michigan for the 121st time to settle the score. The Buckeyes have lost their last four games, as HC Ryan Day needs to find a solution. And Wolverines HC Sherrone Moore wants to maintain that dominant streak and demands help from the supporters.

During Michigan’s Monday press conference, “Sherrone Moore has a message for the fans at the Big House on Saturday: The energy needs to be as loud and as crazy as it’s ever been.” Moore also made his feelings clear on the mental edge this game is bringing over them. “I just think we’re going to go prepare for the game,” he said. “I don’t know what’s really outside the building. None of that really matters. What people think, what people say, doesn’t matter. You know what matters is how we prepare and how we get ready for this game mentally, and that’s it.”

It’s a direct demand from the man in charge. The Buckeyes surely have maintained their clean streak after week 13, as compared to Michigan, which is trailing behind with a 9-2 record. It’s scary because Michigan’s doing that annoying Michigan thing again. They are looking just shaky enough all year that you doubt them, then suddenly hinting they might be ready to spike for Ohio State anyway. They just dropped 45–20 on Maryland in what was probably their most complete game since September: Bryce Underwood was efficient (16-of-23, 215 yards, 2 TDs) and the offense finally looked synced for four quarters.

That followed three strong quarters against Northwestern before the freshman mistakes, and turnovers kicked in. Since 2021, Michigan’s entire identity has been built around peaking for Ohio State: the countdown clocks, year‑round emphasis, practice periods dedicated to “Beat Ohio,” everything. The payoff is four straight wins, including last year’s 13–10 stunner in Columbus with a limited offense and a perceived talent gap. That history matters in a week where Ohio State remains the betting favorite and the reigning national champ. But Michigan walks in knowing it’s solved this puzzle four years in a row.

On the plus side: Underwood’s settling in. Andrew Marsh is emerging as a legit problem outside, and they finally handled a bad team on the road the way a playoff hopeful should. But there are still some concerns. The secondary leaked some issues against Maryland. Maryland had several plays where their receivers were wide open down the field. However, quarterback Malik Washington continued to miss them. His inaccurate throws basically bailed out Michigan’s defense. The kicking game has been shaky as kicker Dominic Zvada missed a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Ohio State can sincerely exploit these weaknesses as they just hammered Rutgers 42–9 like a machine. The betting line for The Game started around Ohio State -5.5 in May but has jumped to about -10.5 to -11.5. Why? The unbeaten record and the fact that they’re Big Ten champs and reigning national champs give bettors confidence. Additionally, Michigan’s been shaky against ranked teams and is 4-7 against the spread. Pick-wise, Ohio State -9.5 and the over 44.5 points are the smart bets going into this classic rivalry showdown.

Either side won’t back down

Waiting for “The Game” is turning into a major blood bath production nightmare. Even Ryan Day isn’t backing down from bold talk either. After a 42–9 demolition of Rutgers, Day’s postgame comments were all about focus, hunger, and the stakes of “The Game.” “We’re playing for hardware now,” Day’s tone was sharp and deliberate. He said the team’s focus has been “clean all year,” but now it’s time to be at their best. “The guys are already talking about it on the sideline, and everybody’s already locked in and fired up,” he added.

Ohio State has stacked the rivalry’s history with 19 wins, 15 losses, and 1 tie. Matt Patricia leads Ohio State’s defense, which ranks No. 1 in the nation and has suffocated opponents all season. The Buckeyes’ running game is also peaking, with Bo Jackson, James Peoples, and Isaiah West building momentum with 215 yards and four touchdowns after a breakout performance against UCLA.

There is a slight tension in Columbus because Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate have been banged up and didn’t play against Rutgers. Are they being saved for Michigan? That’s a question Sherrone Moore’s staff will be obsessing over all week.