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Welcome from The Staff

Steve, Craig, Tim, and Steve B welcome you to The Wolverine Den!

• For a preview of the next game, see below.
• For a look back (and to see the incriminating pictures), choose a game on the Last Week menu.
• If you plan on attending a tailgate at The Den for the first time, see the blog menu for Den Law and the house rules to many of the usual tailgate "activities".
• Click on Buy Gear for TWD shirt!

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This Week at The Wolverine Den

Ohio State at Michigan (Senior Day)

Michigan Stadium

November 29, 2025 - 12:00 p.m. ET

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Game Preview

The Michigan Wolverines close the regular season with the traditional season-ending game against Ohio State on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State is ranked #1 in the nation after winning the National Championship in 2024. Michigan is #15 in the nation after winning the National Championship in 2023. At game time, it will have been 2,191 days since Ohio State has last beaten Michigan in football.

Since this game was moved to the last game of the regular season in 1935, at least a share of the Big Ten Championship has been on the line 51 times in "The Game". It has been called the greatest rivalry in sports. And the stakes this year are again huge. If Ohio State wins, they will secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship game next week and very likely assure themselves a bye for the first round of the College Football Playoffs. If they lose, it will be 5 straight losses to their rival. They will likely not make the Big Ten Championship game but will still back-in to a playoff spot.

If Michigan wins, they have a chance to go to the Big Ten Championship game and a chance to earn a playoff berth. A Michigan loss would likely send the Wolverines to the Citrus Bowl on December 31st.

Since to beginning of the Bo-era at Michigan (1969), the two teams have played 56 times, with Michigan winning 26, Ohio State winning 27 and two games that ended in a tie (plus the vacated game by Ohio St in 2010). In those 56 games, the Big Ten Championship was on the line in 44 of those games. The teams have traded dominance in the recent past. OSU won 14 of the 16 games between 2004-2019 while Michigan won 12 of the 15 games between 1985 - 2000. And now Michigan has won the last four in a row. And amazingly, the underdog team has won 22 times over those 56 most recent games! This is indeed the greatest rivalry.

What do the stats say for this year. Ohio State is #1 in the country in total defense. Michigan is 17th. Ohio State is #25 in the country in total offense. Michigan is 38th. OSU has a +5 turnover margin. Michigan has a +3 margin. Both teams have about the same number of sacks, penalties and time of possession. This game is pretty even except for two things:

1. Ohio State has played a significantly easier schedule than Michigan. Yes, they played Texas to open the season, but it turns out that Texas wasn't all that great. Their most impressive win was against Washington, who they beat 24-6. OSU strength of schedule for the year ranks #52. Michigan played Washington and won by a similar score (24-10). But they also played road games against USC and Oklahoma. Michigan's strength of schedule is #37.
2. The game is being played at Michigan Stadium in November. The Wolverines are 28-2 at the Big House over the past 5 years. The Wolverines are 23-4 in all games played after November 1st over the past 5 seasons. Michigan plays well at home in November weather. And it will be cold and a little snowy on Saturday.

Michigan is expected to have Jordan Marshall back this week as well as Ernest Hausmann. Both of Ohio State's top two receivers did not play last week against Rutgers. Both are expected to play on Saturday.

The Wolverines lead the all-time series 62-51-6. Both ESPN's College GameDay and Fox's Big Noon Kickoff are in Ann Arbor for The Game.

Michigan is a 10 point underdog.

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Brown's Prediction

24-17

Steve's Prediction

0-0

Craig's Prediction

27-24

Tim's Prediction

31-27

Steve 33½, Craig 24, Tim 20½

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