Ohio State football: What to know about today’s game at Michigan

Buckeyes face arch-rival Michigan on Saturday.

Who: No. 2 Ohio State at No. 5 Michigan

When: Noon, Saturday

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

TV/Radio: FOX/1410

Series history: Michigan leads 58-52-6, including a 31-24-4 mark in Ann Arbor, but Ohio State has won eight in a row. The Wolverines have a 23-22-3 lead in games play at Michigan Stadium.

Last game: Justin Fields threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns as the Buckeyes won 56-27 at Michigan Stadium in 2019. J.K. Dobbins ran for 211 yards and four touchdowns while Garrett Wilson had 118 yards and a touchdown on three receptions.

Coaches: Ohio State’s Ryan Day is 33-3 in three seasons, including 23–0 in the Big Ten. Jim Harbaugh is 59-23 in seven seasons at Michigan and 117-50 overall in 14 seasons as a head coach. He is 0-5 against Ohio State.

Ohio State notes: Ohio State leads the nation in scoring offense (47.2 points per game) and total offense (559.9 yards/game)… C.J. Stroud ranks in the top 10 nationally in quarterback efficiency (second, 186.7), touchdown passes (fourth, 36) and yards per game (sixth, 346.8)… Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave rank second, fourth and sixth in the Big Ten, respectively, in receiving yards per game… Ohio State is No. 1 in the nation in SP+, an advanced metric that combines play-by-play efficiency and explosiveness, while Michigan is No. 5. Ohio State has the top offense in SP+ while Michigan is No. 8 on defense, and Ohio State’s defense is 15th and Michigan’s offense is 18th…Four Buckeyes are from the state of Michigan: Cam Martinez (Muskegon), Cayden Saunders (Northville), Bradley Robinson (Troy Athens) and Grant Toutant (Warren De La Salle).

Michigan notes: The Wolverines lead the nation in tackles for loss allowed but are 72nd in tackles for loss made… They have not forced a lot of turnovers (15 to rank 62nd in the nation and eighth in the Big Ten) but rarely turn it over. UM’s eight giveaways are fewest in Big Ten and sixth nationally… Michigan’s scoring defense is No. 7 in the nation, and the Wolverines are ninth in yards allowed per game… UM is 71st in passing yards but 47th in yards per completion on offense… Michigan has seven players from Ohio, including tight end Erick All of Fairfield and former Northmont teammates Rod Moore (safety) and Gabe Newburg (defensive end)… Michigan’s fifth-year seniors are trying to avoid becoming the ninth Michigan class to go 0-4 against Ohio State.

Quoted: Harbaugh on the buildup to the game: “For everybody — coaches, players — it’s about having good days, even great days. You want these to be the best days we’ve had all season. The best meetings, best practices, great days. And then go play the game. The individual role, understanding your role, preparing for what your role is gonna be, stay in that role and even star in that role is what our guys are preparing for. "

Next game: The winner will play in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis next Saturday night. The loser will await a bowl assignment.

Prediction: Ohio State 45, Michigan 30

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