[1] The Wolverines, who were coming off a disappointing 6–5 record for the 2024 season following their previous season in 2023, which saw them win the national championship and go undefeated, were widely expected to lose the rivalry matchup against the Buckeyes,[8] who had only lost 1 prior game in the entire season- a narrow loss to the number-1 ranked Oregon Ducks (a loss which was later avenged by Ohio State's 41–21 victory over Oregon during the 2025 Rose Bowl).

Immediately after the game was over, a fight broke out between the two teams after the Wolverines attempted to plant their flag in the middle of Ohio State's field.

The Wolverines were selected to face Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where they entered as 16.5 point underdogs[14] but defeated the Crimson Tide 19–13.

[15] For the 2024 season, Ohio State had accumulated a 10–1 record prior to this game, with their only loss being a narrow 31–32 defeat to the then-undefeated Oregon Ducks.

[17] The Buckeyes were also widely expected to be selected for the College Football Playoff by this point, due to their dominant regular season performance.

After their previous season in 2023, which saw them compile an undefeated regular season record and win the national championship title, many of their star offensive players, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum, as well as head coach Jim Harbaugh, had left the team for jobs in the National Football League.

[19]The Wolverine's lackluster offense caused them to lose key games to Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

[20] As a result of their record, the Wolverines, by this point, were already eliminated from contention for both the Big Ten Championship title and a spot in the College Football Playoff, but would still clinch bowl eligibility with a win against Ohio State.

Ohio State's next drive resulted in a turnover on downs, and Michigan ended the game with a quarterback kneel, giving them a 13–10 victory.

[26] Josh Williams, a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, introduced a bill to the state's legislature which if passed, would have made flag planting a felony.

Sportsmanship Act", the bill is effectively dead, with Jessie Balmert of The Columbus Dispatch saying its chances to pass were "doomed from the beginning".

The Wolverines entered as 13.5-point underdogs, but once again, managed to win the game 19–13, despite many of their defensive stars, including Will Johnson and Mason Graham, not participating due to their entrance in the 2025 NFL draft.