What we know about Michigan football going into The Game vs Ohio State
Tony Garcia breaks down what we know about Michigan football going into The Game vs Ohio State on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
Michigan football could have fullback and captain Max Bredeson back against Ohio State after he missed the second half of last week’s game at Maryland.
Bredeson, who left with a lower body injury on his right foot and returned to the sideline in a walking boot and crutches, seems as if he’s going to play in the regular season finale Saturday, Nov. 29 vs. Ohio State (Fox, Noon).
He was listed as questionable on the pregame availability report teams are required to provide to the Big Ten office two hours prior to kickoff for every game, and Fox’s Tom Rinaldi reported pregame he’s going to give it a go.
However, Michigan will be without a different captain.
There was rumor that Ernest Hausmann, the team’s leading tackler, had left the team but these were quickly shut down by the captain on social media, but he is listed as out on the report.
Hausmann was the only top-four linebacker entering the season – along with Cole Sullivan, Jimmy Rolder and Jaishawn Barham – who had not missed time prior to the Wolverines’ 45-20 victory over the Terrapins.
Bredeson, meanwhile, met with reporters earlier in the week in Schembechler Hall where he said he and the staff were doing “everything in our power” to get him ready for the contest.
The fifth-year senior and two-time captain and is the heartbeat of the team and the lifeblood of its short-yardage run game – an element of the Wolverines’ attack that has been key in leading U-M to four consecutive wins over rival Ohio State.
Jordan Marshall good to go
Michigan running back Jordan Marshall is also available for the Wolverines.
This comes as little surprise, as he also met with reporters earlier in the week and said he would suit up and play “100%.”
Still, it’s a relief for a team that is without its other top back, Justice Haynes.
Marshall has run 143 times for 871 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns this season.
No Justice Haynes, Rod Moore
As expected, U-M’s other star running back, Haynes, will not play the regular season finale.
Haynes injured his right foot late in the game against Michigan State and missed the following week against Purdue. He then had a procedure that coach Sherrone Moore at the time said likely ruled him out for the rest of the regular season, calling him “week-to-week.”
Haynes finishes his first regular season in Ann Arbor with 121 rushes for 857 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and 10 TDs. He will likely be on the sideline along with Rod Moore, one of U-M’s two-time captains.
He returned from a pair of knee procedures he underwent in 2024 (ACL, meniscus) and returned for the Wolverines’ game at Nebraska. The next time out, vs. Wisconsin, he had an interception and then he played against USC but has not seen the field in the past five games. Saturday’s absence will make it six.
Semaj Morgan is also out for Michigan.
Evan Link questionable
Michigan may get its left tackle back vs. the Buckeyes.
Starting left tackle Evan Link, who was injured in U-M’s 24-7 win over Washington and carted off the field that day, has been listed as questionable. Blake Frazier has stepped up in his absence and played well at times, but if Link is able to go it’s likely he would return to his former spot and Frazier will move back to his role as a swing tackle in heavy packages.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
