Mark your calendars, college football fans: The 2026 edition of "The Game" between Michigan and Ohio State is officially set for a classic time and a familiar channel. The two powerhouse programs will clash in the regular-season finale on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, with kickoff at noon ET on Fox.
This announcement continues a beloved tradition in college football. Since 2006—when a historic No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup kicked off at 3:30 p.m.—every single Michigan-Ohio State game has started at noon. That means 2026 will mark the 20th consecutive year these rivals battle under the midday sun on the final weekend of the regular season. For perspective, only four seasons since 1990 have deviated from this noon slot.
The Buckeyes currently hold the bragging rights, coming off a dominant 27-9 victory in Ann Arbor that marked the first time since 2007 one of these teams was kept out of the end zone. But the Wolverines have had plenty to celebrate this decade, winning four straight from 2021-2023—including three that punched their ticket to the Big Ten championship game.
Michigan has also found recent success in Columbus, winning the last two meetings at Ohio Stadium. In 2022, Donovan Edwards exploded for 215 rushing yards, and in 2024, the Wolverines pulled off a stunning 13-10 upset as three-touchdown underdogs, fueled by a suffocating defensive performance. The last time Michigan lost in Columbus? That would be 2018, when the Buckeyes hung 62 points on Jim Harbaugh's squad during their seven-game winning streak in the rivalry. Ohio State also won in 2019, marking the longest streak for either side since Michigan won nine straight from 1901-1909.
This matchup will also feature a new face on the Michigan sideline: head coach Kyle Whittingham, who takes over the rivalry for the first time. But he won't be without insider knowledge. The Wolverines' staff includes Kerry Coombs, a former Ohio State special teams coordinator, and Tony Alford, who coached the Buckeyes' running backs from 2015-2023 before making the move to Ann Arbor ahead of the 2024 season. With that kind of familiarity, you can bet both sides will be ready for another unforgettable chapter in one of sports' greatest rivalries.