Ohio State defeats Michigan, faces showdown of top teams

Julian Sayin threw three touchdown passes, including a 35-yarder to Jeremiah Smith on fourth down in the second quarter, and No. 1 Ohio State beat No. 15 Michigan 27-9 in a dominant performance Saturday.

- Larry Lage

JULIAN SAYIN threw three touchdown passes against Jaishawn Barham and Michigan in Ohio State's win.

GREGORY SHAMUS Getty Images

The defending national champion Buckeyes (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) likely earned a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. They can keep their top seed with a win against No. 2 Indiana (12-0, 9-0) in the conference championship game next Saturday in Indianapolis.

Ryan Day should sleep well, a year after losing The Game when his team was favored by about three touchdowns. The upset extended his losing streak in the series to four games and sparked speculation he might also lose his job.

“We're going to win with humility,” Day said, choking up, on the field in an interview with Fox.

The Wolverines (9-3, 7-2) started strong with two field goals and an interception on the first three possessions of the game, but couldn’t generate pressure when Ohio State wanted to pass.