The agony of defeat (SR. DymonteThomas, No. 25, has an interesting look for his coach).

Game Details

When: Saturday, Nov 25, 2017 
Where: Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan Stadium

Ohio State is 49–58–6 all-time against against Michigan and is 22–31–4 as the away team.  

On offense, the Wolverines retain starting quarterback Wilton Speights, but will need to find replacements for their leading running back (De'Veon Smith), two leading wide receivers (Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson) and starting tight end (Jake Butt). In all, 2,720 yards of offense and 35 touchdowns will not return for the 2017 season.  

Michigan's defense will also have a lot of players to replace. The defensive unit is losing eight of its nine leading tacklers from 2016. Redshirt senior LB Mike McCray (73 tackles) has the most tackles of any returning Wolverine defender. Gone are linebacker Ben Gedeon, DE Taco Charlton, DB Channing Stribling and do-everything Jabrill Peppers.

The Maize and Blue faithful are hopeful that the recruiting classes Jim Harbaugh has reaped will pay off on the field. His 2016 class was ranked 6th in the nation and last year's group was ranked 5th. The youngsters will have to grow up fast in order to end the Buckeyes' dominance. 

The Last Time...​

• The Buckeyes played in Ann Arbor, No. 8 Ohio State ranked Buckeyes won 42-13 in Jim Harbaugh's first game as coach in the 2015 version of The Game.
• Ohio State lost to Michigan was 2011. Brady Hoke defeated Luke Fickell and the unranked Buckeyes 40-34 in Michigan Stadium.
• A ranked Buckeye team lost to the Wolverines was 2003.

Game 12, The Last Time...

• Ohio State played the 12th game of the season, the team defeated Michigan 30-27 in 2OT in Ohio Stadium.
• The Buckeyes lost the 12th game of the season was 2011. See above.
• It was a bowl game was the 2005 season. No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 5 Notre Dame 34-20 in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.   

Michigan's 2016 Season

Record: 10–3
Bowl Game: Lost to Florida State 32-33 in the Orange Bowl.
Coaching Status: Jim Harbaugh (20–6) 3rd season.

Leading Returning Offensive Players From 2016
Passer: Wilton Speight (2,538 yards)
Rusher: Chris Evans (614 yards)
Receiver: Grant Perry (183 yards)

Leading Returning Defensive Players From 2016
Tackles: Mike McCray (73)
Sacks: Chase Winovich (5.0)
Interceptions: All INTs were made by players who graduated or departed

Top 2017 Recruits

Notable Missing Players

• RB De'Veon Smith (846 yards, 10 TD)
• WR Amara Darboh (862 yards)
• TE Jake Butt (546 yards)
• WR Jehu Chesson (500 yards)
• LB Ben Gedeon (94 tackles)
• DB Jabrill Peppers (66 tackles, 13.0 TFL)
• DE Taco Charlton (10.0 sacks)
• CB Channing Stribling (4 INT)

Five Things November 25th

1. This is the 19th time the Buckeyes have played on November 25th.
2. The last time the program played on this date was 1995. No. 2 Ohio State lost to No. 12 Michigan 31-23 in Ann Arbor.
3. The Buckeyes have lost the last three games played on Nov. 25.
4. Michigan is the only ranked opponent Ohio State has played on this date. The Wolverines have been ranked in five games played on Nov. 25. The Buckeyes are 2–3 in those contests.
5. Ohio State has played nine different teams on Nov. 25. Those teams are: Michigan (9 times 1939-1995) Illinois (1922 and 1933), Northwestern (1916), Syracuse (1911), Kenyon (1909), Wooster (1905), Muskingum (1899) Ohio Wesleyan (1897) and Marietta (1893) 

2016 Statistical Comparison

OFFENSE
39.4	13th	POINTS FOR	40.3	11th
245.2	11th	RUSHING OFFENSE	212.9	33rd
213.9	81st	PASSING OFFENSE	212.0	85th
459.2	31st	TOTAL OFFENSE	424.9	58th
.467	17th	3rd DOWNS	.432	40th
.871	40th	RED ZONE	.912	13th
DEFENSE
15.5	3rd	POINTS ALLOWED	14.1	2nd
124.5	19th	RUSH DEFENSE	119.2	15th
172.2	7th	PASS DEFENSE	142.5	1st
94.4	3rd	PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE	94.2	2nd
296.8	6th	TOTAL DEFENSE	261.8	1st
.322	11th	3rd DOWNS	.210	1st
.725	5th	RED ZONE	.714	3rd
SPECIAL TEAMS
5.2	105th	PUNT RETURN	14.3	8th
24.4	13th	KICKOFF RETURN	18.7	110th
43.1	2nd	NET PUNTING	38.6	42nd
MISCELLANEOUS
+ 1.2	3rd	TURNOVER MARGIN	+ 0.5	24th
6.3	70th	PENALTIES	4.9	20th
7		EDGE	11

Leftovers

Ohio State is 22–20 when playing the 12th game of the season and is 5–5 when playing the 12th game on the road.

Jim Harbaugh is 78–33 (.703) as a collegiate head coach and was 44–19–1 (.690) in the NFL.

The first time the Buckeyes had a 12 game regular season schedule was 1905. It would be 81 years (1986) until the program would play 12 regular season games in a season.  

Ohio State has played seven games as the away team on 11/25 and is 4–3. The first away game the Buckeyes played on this date was in 1899 at Muskingum. Ohio State left New Concord with a 34-0 victory. 

The Buckeyes are 0–1 when the 12th game of the season is played on November 25. In 1995, No. 2 Ohio State lost to No. 12 Michigan 31-23 in Ann Arbor.