Three-Peat and a Title

On November 25, 2023, at Michigan Stadium, No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 2 Ohio State 30-24. The Wolverines improved to 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten) and clinched a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State fell to 11-1 (8-1). Attendance was 110,615.

This marked Michigan’s third consecutive victory in the rivalry. The win came with head coach Jim Harbaugh serving a suspension; offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore served as acting head coach. The result preserved Michigan’s undefeated season and positioned the program for a third straight College Football Playoff appearance which ultimately led up to the program's 12th National Title.

First Half: Early Control and a Narrow Lead

Michigan struck first after a Will Johnson interception set up short field position. Blake Corum scored on a 1-yard run to give the Wolverines a 7-0 lead. Ohio State answered with Jayden Fielding’s 43-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 7-3.

Michigan extended the advantage in the second quarter on a 22-yard touchdown pass from J.J. McCarthy to Roman Wilson, making it 14-3. Ohio State responded with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Kyle McCord to Emeka Egbuka, closing the gap to 14-10 at halftime.

Second Half: Lead Changes and Late Resilience

James Turner opened the third quarter with a 50-yard field goal to push Michigan ahead 17-10. Ohio State then tied the game at 17-17 on a 3-yard touchdown run by TreVeyon Henderson.

Michigan reclaimed the lead when Corum broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run, making it 24-17. Turner added a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to extend the margin to 27-17.

Ohio State closed within three points on a 14-yard touchdown pass from McCord to Marvin Harrison Jr. Michigan answered with a methodical 13-play, 56-yard drive that consumed seven minutes, capped by Turner’s 37-yard field goal with 1:05 remaining to make the score 30-24.

On the Buckeyes’ final possession, Rod Moore intercepted McCord in Michigan territory with 25 seconds left to seal the victory.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Corum finished with 22 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns. McCarthy completed 16 of 20 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. Colston Loveland led Michigan receivers with five catches for 88 yards. McCord threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Harrison Jr. recorded five receptions for 118 yards and a score. Henderson rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Michigan outrushed Ohio State 156–107 and held a time-of-possession advantage. The Wolverines were plus-two in turnover margin. Michigan’s defense forced critical stops, including the game-sealing interception.

In the broader context of the series, the 2023 meeting represented the third consecutive Michigan victory and continued a clear shift in the rivalry’s recent balance after a long stretch of Ohio State dominance. It also underscored the physical, complementary style that defined Michigan’s 2023 campaign-efficient quarterback play, a productive ground attack, and opportunistic defense—while navigating the absence of its head coach. The result solidified Michigan’s path toward a national championship contention that season and further established the early-2020s as a period of Wolverine superiority in the series.