By the Numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Michigan

COLUMBUS — Michigan Stadium will host the top-two scoring defenses in the country Saturday afternoon, as No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan square off in what is, once again, a top-three showdown and essentially a Big Ten East title game with major College Football Playoff implications.

The last time both the Buckeyes and Wolverines were held below 30 points in The Game was 2012, a 26-21 Ohio State victory in Columbus.

One rival has scored north of 40 points in each of the last four meetings: Ohio State twice (62 points in 2018 and 56 points in 2019) and Michigan twice (42 points in 2021 and 45 points in 2022).

But the way these defenses have been playing this year, a low-scoring affair in Ann Arbor is on the table, especially considering both squads are top-12 nationally in opponent red zone touchdown percentage. The offenses might have something to say about, though. Michigan is elite on third down, and Ohio State has the most difference-making skill players in the Big Ten.

Lettermen Row tracked how the Buckeyes and Wolverines compare after 11 games, by the numbers.

Scoring Offense

Buckeyes: 33.6 points per game (24th nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Michigan: 38.3 points per game (11th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)

Total Offense

Buckeyes: 429.3 yards per game (35th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Michigan: 399.6 yards per game (55th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)

Passing Offense

Buckeyes: 283.7 yards per game (24th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Michigan: 228.6 yards per game (64th nationally in FBS, 4th in Big Ten)

Rushing Offense

Buckeyes: 145.6 yards per game (T-85th nationally in FBS, 8th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 171.0 yards per game (50th nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)

Scoring Defense

Buckeyes: 9.3 points per game allowed (2nd nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Michigan: 9.0 points per game allowed (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)

Total Defense

Buckeyes: 252.8 yards per game allowed (3rd nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Michigan: 234.8 yards per game allowed (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)

Passing Defense

Buckeyes: 144.3 yards per game allowed (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Michigan: 144.8 yards per game allowed (2nd nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)

Rushing Defense

Buckeyes: 108.6 yards per game allowed (21st nationally in FBS, 5th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 90.0 yards per game allowed (9th nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)

3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 46.15% (20th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Michigan: 52.00% (4th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)

Opponent 3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 29.19% (8th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Michigan: 30.34% (15th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)

Red Zone TD Percentage

Buckeyes: 61.70% (64th nationally in FBS, 7th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 75.00% (T-11th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)

Opponent Red Zone TD Percentage

Buckeyes: 45.45% (T-11th nationally in FBS, T-3rd in Big Ten)
Michigan: 33.33% (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)

Sacks Per Game

Buckeyes: 1.91 (T-86th nationally in FBS, 11th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 2.46 (T-40th nationally in FBS, T-5th in Big Ten)

Sacks Allowed Per Game

Buckeyes: 1.64 (T-42nd nationally in FBS, T-4th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 1.18 (T-15th nationally in FBS, T-2nd in Big Ten)

Turnover Margin Per Game

Buckeyes: 0.09 (T-53rd nationally in FBS, T-6th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 1.09 (T-3rd nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)

Time of Possession

Buckeyes: 29:59.27 (70th nationally in FBS, 7th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 32:25.09 (12th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)

Penalties Per Game

Buckeyes: 5.9 (T-68th nationally in FBS, 11th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 2.9 (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)

Punt Average

Buckeyes: 43.29 (40th nationally in FBS, 6th in Big Ten)
Michigan: 44.39 (28th nationally in FBS, 4th in Big Ten)