Last year, Ohio State was No. 2 when quarterback Kyle McCord threw an interception in Michigan territory with 25 seconds left. The No. 3 Wolverines won the game 30-24 and, amid a sign-stealing scandal, went on to win the Big Ten championship game and a national title in the College Football Playoff.

A look at the factors that could help Ohio State snap a three-game losing streak to archrival Michigan when it hosts the Wolverines on Saturday.

Michigan quarterback Davis Warren knows the path to a fourth straight win over Ohio State, even if the numbers can't see it.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — After Michigan football beat Northwestern, 50-6, on Saturday, senior edge rusher Josaiah Stewart sat at the podium and was asked, despite being a heavy underdog vs. Ohio State, if he expected to win. “Are you serious?” Stewart retorted. “Yeah. Yeah.”

"Biggest piece of this game is the rushing battle, you’ve seen that every year,” Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore said of Ohio State rivalry.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Every day, Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon walks past the countdown in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, a gentle reminder throughout the year of the matchup against Michigan and what’s to come in late November. That reminder is no longer very gentle.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches against Northwestern during Saturday's game in Ann Arbor, Mich. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short.

In order for Michigan to have any chance in this football game, they have to shorten it and make it an ugly lower-scoring affair. They must lean into their defense, which is still