Ohio State Football Star Sends Shockwaves Through Rivalry by Guaranteeing Victory Over Michigan in Anticipated 2025 Showdown in Ann Arbor
In a move that instantly electrified the college football world and added even more fuel to one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries, an Ohio State football star has boldly guaranteed a victory over Michigan in their 2025 matchup. The confident proclamation came during a recent media session, and while it may sound like classic bulletin-board material, it underscores the intensity, urgency, and deep-seated emotion that defines “The Game.”
Ohio State and Michigan is not just a rivalry—it’s a cultural event, a spiritual experience, and a test of legacy for players, coaches, and fanbases. Every season, regardless of rankings or records, the game defines the outcome of the year. And for the Buckeyes, three straight losses to their archrivals have created a sense of desperation that has now boiled over into public guarantees.
The player at the center of it all? Linebacker Cody Simon, a veteran leader on the Buckeyes’ defense who’s expected to play a key role in the upcoming campaign. During a routine summer availability session with local media, Simon didn’t hesitate when asked about the Michigan game. His response was simple, direct, and headline-worthy: “We’re not leaving Ann Arbor without a win. I guarantee it.”
That one sentence instantly ignited conversation across social media, radio shows, and national television. Some Buckeye fans loved the fire—others worried it might be premature. Meanwhile, Michigan supporters mocked the statement, calling it desperation disguised as bravado. Regardless of how it’s interpreted, the comment has already changed the tenor of the upcoming November clash.
It’s not unprecedented for players to issue guarantees in rivalries. Joe Namath made history with a Super Bowl prediction. Baker Mayfield, in his Oklahoma days, had no shortage of vocal moments. And Michigan’s own Desmond Howard once promised a touchdown return against Ohio State—and delivered. These bold declarations become folklore when fulfilled. When they fail, they linger as cautionary tales.
For Simon, the comment wasn’t made recklessly. According to sources within the team, the mood in the locker room is steely, focused, and motivated by one thing: beating Michigan. The Buckeyes believe they’ve been the more talented team in at least two of the last three losses, but self-inflicted wounds and second-half collapses have kept them from executing when it matters most.
Ryan Day, now entering a pivotal season in Columbus, has reportedly made beating Michigan a top priority—publicly and internally. Since taking over the program, Day started hot with a pair of convincing wins over the Wolverines, but things have changed dramatically since 2021. Now, Michigan has the upper hand in the rivalry, and that’s something Ohio State’s fan base and leadership refuse to accept.
Simon’s guarantee is not just words—it’s a reflection of the pressure boiling under the surface of the Ohio State program. They’ve recruited at an elite level. They’ve developed talent at nearly unmatched rates. And yet, they keep falling short in the game that matters most.
This year, the stakes are even higher. For the first time, the Big Ten has expanded to include West Coast powers like Oregon and USC. Conference standings will be more complex, and the 12-team College Football Playoff changes the calculus. Still, none of that matters if the Buckeyes lose to Michigan again. For fans and alumni, the rivalry stands alone in its importance.
Behind the scenes, players and coaches are leaning into that urgency. Offseason workouts have reportedly taken on a more physical tone. Position battles are being approached with heightened intensity. Leadership groups have met more frequently, and film sessions often include breakdowns of the past Michigan games—highlighting what went wrong and what must change.
For Simon to step into the spotlight and guarantee a win, he had to feel that the team is different this year. And perhaps he’s right.
The Buckeyes are expected to field one of the best defenses in the country. Their defensive line is deep and explosive. The linebacker unit, led by Simon himself and C.J. Hicks, is versatile and aggressive. The secondary, once a liability, is now one of the most experienced in the Big Ten.
Offensively, the arrival of Kansas State transfer Will Howard gives Ohio State a seasoned, mobile quarterback who can manage pressure and extend plays. Paired with true freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith and a veteran-laden offensive line, the Buckeyes believe they have enough firepower to score on anyone—including Michigan’s typically stingy defense.
And yet, talk is still just talk. Michigan, under new head coach Sherrone Moore, is not backing down. The Wolverines have built their program on toughness, physicality, and belief. They’ve shown they can win in hostile environments, including in Columbus. They’ve outscored and outcoached the Buckeyes in critical moments.
That’s what makes Simon’s guarantee even more intriguing. It’s a challenge, a declaration of change. It also opens the door to significant scrutiny. If Ohio State loses in Ann Arbor again, Simon’s quote will resurface for months—maybe years. He’ll be reminded of it in every interview. But that’s the nature of high-stakes football.
Simon, a senior and likely future NFL player, isn’t new to pressure. He’s played in playoff games, high-profile showdowns, and in front of 100,000 fans. But this? This is different. This is The Game. And with one statement, he’s added gasoline to a fire that was already raging.
It’s worth noting that within the program, there doesn’t seem to be much panic about the quote. Ryan Day declined to criticize Simon’s statement when asked, simply saying, “Our focus is on preparing every day for the standard we expect. That game means everything to us, and our guys know that.”
Privately, though, there’s no doubt that the team knows what’s coming. Michigan players will use the quote as motivation. Fans in Ann Arbor will have signs ready. Every broadcaster will bring it up at least once during the game. In a rivalry where every edge matters, words can have power.
And yet, there’s also power in belief. Sometimes, speaking it into existence is the first step toward achieving it. If Simon’s words reflect a larger shift in Ohio State’s mindset—if the team is truly done with excuses and ready to reclaim its identity—then maybe this guarantee is more than just bravado. Maybe it’s the rallying cry the Buckeyes have needed.
There’s still a long way to go before November. Injuries, roster changes, and unexpected performances will shape the season in unpredictable ways. But one thing is certain now: The 2025 edition of The Game has added stakes. It was already must-watch. Now, it’s personal.
For Ohio State, the mission is clear: back up the guarantee, silence the critics, and reclaim the rivalry. For Michigan, it’s a chance to cement their dominance, expose overconfidence, and make it four in a row.
Either way, when the Buckeyes and Wolverines meet again this fall, Cody Simon’s words will echo through the stadium—and through history.
