Ohio State vs. Michigan Live Tailgate: No. 3 Wolverines knock off No. 2 Buckeyes

It doesn't get any bigger than The Game.

And when Ohio State and Michigan took the field for the latest edition of college football's biggest rivalry on Saturday, it was no different. We followed along right here with a special Live Tailgate edition of "The Number One College Football Show," taking in all the action in what ultimately ended up being a 30-24 Michigan victory.

I was joined by two special guests: Former Michigan running back Chris Howard, who played alongside FOX Sports' Charles Woodson on the Wolverines' 1997 national championship team, and former Ohio State running back Beanie Wells, who rushed for nearly 3,400 yards across three seasons.

Howard and Wells provided live analysis of all the action on the field, shared stories from their playing days and provided plenty of insight into what makes this rivalry so great. 

You can scroll below for a breakdown of all the big plays in The Game.

No. 3 Michigan 30, No. 2 Ohio State 24 

FINAL: Three straight wins for Michigan in this rivalry!

— This is the first time Michigan has won three straight against Ohio State since 1995-1997. Michigan won the national title in 1997.

— This is also the first time Michigan has won consecutive home meetings against Ohio State since winning six straight from 1989 to 1999.

— This is the first time in school history that Michigan has started 12-0 in back-to-back seasons.

— Michigan has now won 30 consecutive regular-season games dating back to 2021 (includes conference championship games).

— Michigan has now won 24 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents, extending its record for the longest conference winning streak in school history.

— Ohio State coach Ryan Day is 1-3 vs. Michigan, 40-0 vs. all other Big Ten teams.

0:26: Intercepted, and that will do it!

Kyle McCord got rid of the ball before taking a hit, but the ball went right into the arms of Michigan's Rod Moore, and the Wolverines were set to come away with their third straight win in this rivalry.

0:48: That man again!

Kyle McCord found Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Buckeyes were in business.

1:05 4Q: Michigan extends lead

A field goal put the Wolverines up 30-24, and the stage was set for the Buckeyes to have one last chance to win it.

2:00 4Q: Michigan is trying to put this game away

The Wolverines appear to be intent on running out the clock in this game, as they have put together a slow, methodical drive. So far, Ohio State has not had any answers, and time is running short.

8:05 4Q: TOUCHDOWN, BUCKEYES!

Kyle McCord found Marvin Harrison and Ohio State responded with a 14-yard touchdown to pull within 27-24. The Buckeyes marched 65 yards on eight plays, chewing nearly four minutes off the clock.

STORY TIME: A Tom Brady tale

Chris Howard played with Tom Brady at Michigan, and he shared a story that taught him a valuable lesson.

14:55 4Q: A trick play … and Michigan extends lead

Sherrone Moore opened the fourth quarter by rolling the dice with a trick play, and it worked beautifully. Tailback Donovan Edwards took the pitch and tossed a 34-yard completion to Colston Loveland, moving the ball deep into Ohio State territory.

The Buckeyes held Michigan to a field goal, and get the ball back trailing 27-17.

1:55 3Q: MICHIGAN RESPONDS!

J.J. McCarthy and the Wolverines had an impressive response on the ensuing drive. McCarthy used his legs to soften up Ohio State's defense, then Blake Corum dashed to the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown run.

5:35 3Q: TOUCHDOWN, BUCKEYES!

Talk about a drive! The Buckeyes marched 75 yards on 12 plays, with TreVeyon Henderson punching it in from 3 yards out to tie the score at 17-17. Ohio State capped the drive with eight straight running plays. 

11:06 3Q: You know where to go when you need a first down

Kyle McCord certainly did, getting a quick pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. and letting him do the rest as the Buckeyes tried to mount a drive.

11:48 3Q: Michigan extends lead

Alex Orji showed some wheels on a long run to open the second half. That set up a field goal, as Michigan pushed its edge to 17-10.

Halftime: Michigan leads 14-10

The Wolverines maintained a 14-10 lead after Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding missed a 52-yard field goal as time expired.

Michigan has won 44 straight games at the Big House when leading at halftime.

1:11 2Q: Marvin. Harrison. Jr.

Not a lot of guys are capable of coming up with a catch like this. But for Marvin Harrison Jr., it's just another day.

Should McCarthy have thrown it? Wells and Howard break it down

J.J. McCarthy's TD pass was thrown through an impossible window. Chris Howard and Beanie Wells broke it down.

6:28 2Q: OHIO STATE RESPONDS!

The Buckeyes got back in it after falling behind 14-3, marching 69 yards on seven plays, pulling within 14-10 when Kyle McCord found Emeka Egbuka from 3 yards out. 

10:22 2Q: TOUCHDOWN! (Or interception?)

There was a huge turn of events when J.J. McCarthy threaded the needle for a touchdown pass to Roman Wilson. On a closer look, though, it appeared that Denzel Burke had wrestled the ball away for an interception. After a replay review, the touchdown stood, leaving Ryan Day quite upset.

Talking traditions

Howard and Wells took time to discuss their favorite college traditions.

14:12 2Q: Corum converts

It's hard to go wrong by giving the ball to Blake Corum in a short-yardage situation, and the veteran came through with a big conversion on fourth down.

2:13 1Q: Ohio State gets on the board

Michigan nearly picked off McCord a second time, but the Buckeyes avoided disaster, continued the drive and ultimately came away with a field goal.

5:44 1Q: TOUCHDOWN, MICHIGAN!

The Buckeyes put up a fight after being forced to defend a short field, but Michigan took a 7-0 lead after Blake Corum punched it in on fourth down. It was Corum's 21st rushing touchdown of the season, breaking Michigan's single-season record. He now has 52 career rushing TDs, four shy of breaking Michigan's career record (Anthony Thomas, 55).

7:32 1Q: Intercepted!

The first big play of the game came midway through the first quarter when Michigan's Will Johnson jumped the route and picked off Kyle McCord.

The impact of the sign-stealing scandal

Wells and Howard tackled the big topic that has captured the nation's imagination: The alleged sign-stealing scheme at Michigan.

Running backs on running backs

Howard and Wells talked about the two big backs in today's contest.

13:13 1Q: Smash-mouth

It was all about defense early on in this one, as neither team can get much going.

Here we go!

PREGAME SCENE

Blake Corum discussed how his injury last season has impacted his career.

Leave it to a defensive guy to say defense will rule the day. Aidan Hutchinson stopped by to share his thoughts on how the contest will go.

Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. sat down with Keyshawn Johnson to talk about his season, next spring's NFL Draft, and more.

Jenny Taft shared details of a recent talk she had with suspended Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, including what he'll be doing today and his plans for "after we win."

Tom Rinaldi reported the story of J.J. McCarthy and how the Michigan QB is trying to carry on the legacy of his childhood friend.

Sherrone Moore and Ryan Day shared their thoughts ahead of The Game.

Derek Jeter committed to play baseball at Michigan, and once with the Yankees, he couldn't wait to get out of the team's minor-league franchise in Columbus. "The Captain" shared his story:

Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord discusses last year's loss to Michigan. "I think about it dang near every day."

Former Buckeye Ryan Shazier stopped by to talk about what the Ohio State defense must do today.

Bruce Feldman brought some coaching carousel news around Texas A&M and the Aggies' interest in Ryan Day.

Want to get hyped up for the game? You'll get chills from this video narrated by the great Tom Brady.

The Big Noon crew discussed the biggest storylines to watch today.

We also have some injury updates ...

Urban Meyer explained the gold pants and what they mean.

The fans came out early and brought a ton of energy — and creativity — with them.

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RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast "The Number One College Football Show." Follow him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to "The RJ Young Show" on YouTube.