LIVE UPDATES: No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Fall to No. 3 Michigan Wolverines for Third-Straight Year, 30-24
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 3 Michigan Wolverines take the field against one another on Saturday in a game which needs no introduction.
There is much more riding on this contest than just a win or a loss for the Buckeyes and Wolverines, as the latest meeting of the historic rivals will most likely determine whether or not each team is given a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
A loss for either Ohio State or Michigan would bar them from playing in the Big Ten Championship next weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana. The CFP committee is on record as saying a conference title is one of the things they value most when determining if a team should have a shot at the National Championship, so being without one would hurt either the Buckeyes' or Wolverines' chances dramatically.
Additionally, a loss for Ohio State would make this the third year in a row in which Michigan prevailed over the Scarlet and Gray. Completing the 'threepeat' would be reward enough, but doing it in Michigan Stadium (a.k.a. "The Big House") would be an added bonus.
A big change from last year's meeting between these two teams is the absence of Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline. Harbaugh will conclude the three-game suspension levied against him by the Big Ten Conference following their investigation into sign-stealing and in-person scouting violations.
It's going to be a frigid kick-off in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with temperatures projected at 34 degrees Fahrenheit when things get started at The Big House. Clouds will cover fans as they support their side of the rivalry, but no precipitation is currently on the radar.
Live updates will appear below following the opening kick-off.
FIRST QUARTER
Ohio State Punt
The Buckeyes are stopped on second and third down, forcing a punt from Jesse Mirco to open the game.
Ohio State - 0, Michigan - 0
Michigan Punt
Buckeyes linebacker Steele Chambers comes up big on third down, which leads to a Wolverines punt to end their first drive of the game.
Ohio State - 0, Michigan - 0
Ohio State Punt
A completion from Kyle McCord to Xavier Johnson ends just short of the line-to-gain, leading to another punt from Mirco.
Ohio State - 0, Michigan - 0
Michigan Punt
Wolverines punter Tommy Doman boots possession back to the Buckeyes with a 71-yard bomb after Michigan's offense goes three-and-out.
Ohio State - 0, Michigan - 0
Michigan Interception
Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson telegraphs a pass from McCord, setting the Michigan offense up inside the Buckeyes' ten-yard line.
Ohio State - 0, Michigan - 0
Michigan Touchdown
Wolverines running back Blake Corum punches in the first touchdown of the game for either team, giving Michigan an early lead over the Buckeyes in the first quarter.
Ohio State - 0, Michigan - 7
Ohio State Field Goal
The Buckeyes get their first points of the contest off of a 43-yard field goal from kicker Jayden Fielding.
Ohio State - 3, Michigan - 7
END OF FIRST QUARTER: OHIO STATE - 3, MICHIGAN - 7
SECOND QUARTER
Michigan Touchdown
The Wolverines add on to their lead with a touchdown connection from J.J. McCarthy to Roman Wilson.
Ohio State - 3, Michigan - 14
Ohio State Touchdown
Emeka Egbuka gets the first touchdown of the afternoon for the Buckeyes, bringing his team that much closer to the Wolverines.
Ohio State - 10, Michigan - 14
Michigan Punt
Doman is called on to punt for the first time in a while, drilling the Buckeyes deep in their own territory with a 49-yard boot.
Ohio State - 10, Michigan - 14
Ohio State Missed Field Goal
Fielding misses what would have been a career-long field goal from 52-yards out, ending the first half with the Buckeyes trailing the Wolverines by four points.
Ohio State - 10, Michigan - 14
HALFTIME: OHIO STATE - 10, MICHIGAN - 14
THIRD QUARTER
Michigan Field Goal
Turner widens the scoreboard gap between the Wolverines and Buckeyes by three more points with a 50-yard field goal.
Ohio State - 10, Michigan - 17
Ohio State Touchdown
TreVeyon Henderson ties things up at 17 with a three-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
Ohio State - 17, Michigan - 17
Michigan Touchdown
Corum salutes injured-teammate Zak Zinter following a 22-yard touchdown run that gave the lead back to the Wolverines.
Ohio State - 17, Michigan - 24
Ohio State Punt
McCord and the Buckeyes are unable to answer the Wolverines' score, forcing another punt from Mirco.
Ohio State - 17, Michigan - 24
END OF THIRD QUARTER: OHIO STATE - 17, MICHIGAN - 24
FOURTH QUARTER
Michigan Field Goal
Turner's leg comes up big for the Wolverines, pushing their lead to two scores early in the fourth quarter.
Ohio State - 17, Michigan - 27
Ohio State Touchdown
The Buckeyes draw within three points of the Wolverines thanks to the first touchdown of the day from Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ohio State - 24, Michigan - 27
Michigan Field Goal
Turner forces the Buckeyes into a touchdown-or-bust scenario with a 37-yard boot late in the fourth quarter.
Ohio State - 24, Michigan - 30
Michigan Interception
McCord is hit as he throws, forcing the ball to lose power and fall into the hands of Rod Moore and the Wolverines.
Ohio State - 24, Michigan - 30
FINAL: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES - 24, MICHIGAN WOLVERINES - 30
