ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has made his prediction for Saturday's game in Ann Arbor: Ohio State will beat Michigan, and he feels confident enough to lay the points.
“There are more paths to victory for this version of Ohio State,” McElroy said on his "Always College Football" podcast. “But they have to control the game. If they let it turn into another classic Michigan battle, it’ll be close. I don’t think they will. This Ohio State team is just better. Give me the Buckeyes, and I’ll lay the points on the road.”
McElroy’s confidence comes from a clear fact: the 2025 Buckeyes are one of the most complete teams in recent memory. They are currently ranked No. 1 and are undefeated at 11-0. They have explosive offensive talent, a strong defense, and the depth to win in various ways. Michigan, at 9-2 and ranked No. 15, is still tough and physical under coach Sherrone Moore, but they no longer have the clear advantage in the trenches that marked their four-year winning streak over Ohio State.
Coach Ryan Day knows that this rivalry has been a challenge for him. The Buckeyes have lost four straight in the series, and last year’s defeat in Columbus hurt especially bad, even though Ohio State went on to win the national championship. Day isn’t holding back his desire this week.
“Like I say, fun is kicking ass, and that’s what we want to do on Saturday,” Day said. “So, we’re preparing to do that, and that’s it. There’s nothing funny about this at all, but the fun part is winning. We’ll save the fun for being in the locker room and celebrating after the game.
“The preparation is what you love. You love the competitive part of this and everything that comes with it. Our guys came in Sunday, came in here yesterday, got work on their own and even guys in the building today, they got a good bounce in their step, and they look forward to this week.”
Across the sideline, Moore is embracing the pressure of his first “The Game” as head coach. He called it the "best rivalry in sports" and more intense than the Iron Bowl.
"We’ve talked to people that have been to the Iron Bowl and this one, and it’s just different. You can’t describe it. I can try and describe you the feeling of what it feels like, but I can’t. I remember last year going on the field with Jaishawn (Barham), and we’re running out there for warmups, and he’s like ‘yeah, this is different.’ And Jaishawn doesn’t say much, and for him to say that, this is different.
For the first time in five years, oddsmakers and analysts like McElroy believe Ohio State has significant advantages in talent and flexibility. If the Buckeyes control the game early and avoid the low-scoring, clock-eating battle Michigan prefers, McElroy expects them to win decisively at the Big House.
The streak will end Saturday, and it won’t be close.