The Game: No. 3 Michigan Prepared For Showdown With No. 2 Ohio State

Winners of 23 straight Big Ten games dating back to the 2021 season, the Michigan Wolverines have every reason in the world to feel confident heading into Saturday's Matchup with Ohio State.

Author:
Christopher Breiler
Publish date:
Nov 20, 2023 9:18 AM EST

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Michigan Wolverines

The stage is set for what should be another epic battle in 'The Game': No. 3 Michigan vs No. 2 Ohio State in the Big House for the final game of the regular season. The last time these two programs met in Ann Arbor (2021), the Wolverines bullied their way to a 42-27 victory, led by running back Hassan Haskins who set a rivalry record with five rushing touchdowns on the afternoon.

Michigan enters the matchup having won the last two meetings by a combined score of 87-50, and the Wolverines are currently riding a historic pace when it comes to consecutive wins within the conference. Here's everything you need to know about Michigan heading into Saturday's matchup against Ohio State.

The Michigan Wolverines remain the winningest team in college football history, becoming the first program to reach 1,000 wins last Saturday. This Saturday, Michigan looks to make it win No. 1,001 over rival Ohio State.

The Wolverines have been victorious in 23 straight Big Ten games dating to 2021, the longest streak in program history and the third-longest in Big Ten history.

The Big Ten Conference does not recognize the 2021 or 2022 Big Ten championship games as conference matchups, so Michigan is currently at 21 straight Big Ten wins. That figure surpassed the previous record, a mark held by Gary Moeller's 1990-92 teams (19).

Michigan has been victorious in 27 consecutive regular-season games, the third-longest stretch in Big Ten history. Only the 1901-03 Michigan teams, which won 28 straight regular season games, have won more in program history.

The Maize and Blue have now gone 11-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in Michigan Football history. It is just the sixth season in program history with at least 11 wins (1986, 1997, 2006, 2021, 2022).

In quarterback J.J. McCarthy's 24 career starts, U-M is 23-1 for a win rate of 95.8 percent, the best mark by a starting quarterback in at least the last 10 seasons (minimum 20 starts). That stat lists above Trevor Lawrence (34-2; 94.4), Tua Tagovailoa (22-2, 91.7) and Trevone Boykin (22-2, 91.7).

Running back Blake Corum (3,380 yards) is now eighth on U-M's all-time rushing list, passing Rob Lytle (3,317 yards). He could tie Chris Perry for seventh all-time if he reaches 3,696 yards rushing this season. Corum is also at 51 rushing touchdowns for his career, good for No. 2 all-time behind Anthony Thomas (55) at Michigan.

Michigan has scored at least three offensive touchdowns in every game this season.

U-M has forced at least one interception, fumble or turnover on downs on the first series of an opponent's drive in nine straight games - and 10-of-11 overall.

The Michigan defense has allowed just five passing touchdowns all season, while notching 14 total interceptions. Mike Sainristil leads the way with 5 picks, followed by Keon Sabb (2), Will Johnson (2), Kris Jenkins (1), Kenneth Grant (1), Rod Moore (1), Quinten Johnson (1), and Ja'Den McBurrows (1).