When Ohio State and Michigan meet, the buildup is usually about the stars. The five-star receivers, the NFL-bound quarterbacks, the dominant defensive linemen. But every edition of The Game also produces someone unexpected who helps swing the momentum.
This year, with the uncertainty surrounding Ohio State’s top receivers heading into the weekend, I think tight end Max Klare is positioned better than anyone to become that unsung hero this Saturday.
Injury questions put Klare in the spotlight
Ohio State enters this week facing major questions about the health of its two most explosive wideouts, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Both players missed the Rutgers game, and while the program has expressed optimism, neither player’s availability has been confirmed.
With how pivotal The Game obviously is, uncertainty at wide receiver forces the Buckeyes to consider alternative production sources. This year, that spotlight naturally shifts toward tight end Max Klare.
Klare has already proven he can absorb that responsibility. In the win over Rutgers, with Smith and Tate unavailable, he delivered a breakout performance that turned heads across the conference. His 105 receiving yards and steady chain-moving presence showed what he can do when the target share tilts his way.
That wasn’t a desperation performance whatsoever, it was simply the first time this season Ohio State needed him to be a primary option, and he answered.
A proven producer before he came to Columbus
Klare’s ability to rise to big moments isn’t new. Before transferring to Ohio State, he was Purdue’s most reliable pass-catcher in 2024, leading the Boilermakers in receptions and emerging as one of the Big Ten’s most consistent tight ends.
His production there wasn’t anything crazy, but he was steady, physical, and dependable in high-leverage moments — exactly the traits that matter most in rivalry games where yards are earned the hard way.
Coming into 2025, Ohio State viewed him not just as a complementary option, but as someone who could take on a larger offensive role in moments of need, and this weekend could potentially be the clearest example of that vision coming to life.
Why Klare matters, even if Smith/Tate play
While Klare becomes essential if Ohio State is missing its top two receivers, the more interesting scenario is what happens if one or both of Smith and Tate suit up. Michigan has made it clear through the last several editions of this rivalry that its defensive philosophy begins with neutralizing Ohio State’s most dangerous weapon.
Last year they bracketed Jeremiah Smith relentlessly, limiting him to short receptions and refusing to give up explosive perimeter plays.
That likely won’t change, especially if Smith is back on the field. Michigan will devote substantial defensive attention to him, and if Tate plays, he’ll draw his own share of coverage adjustments. That leaves opportunities for a secondary or even tertiary passing option to become the difference-maker, and Klare fits that role perfectly. He’s experienced, reliable, and athletic enough to exploit the space created when Michigan sells out to take away the perimeter threats.
In a game where every yard is contested, one player who can win tough intermediate catches, keep the offense ahead of schedule, and convert third downs can swing multiple drives. That is precisely the role Klare is built for.
The unsung hero Ohio State may need
The storylines this week about Ohio State’s offense will revolve around the headliners. Smith and Tate’s health, Bo Jackson’s explosiveness, Sayin’s first crack at Michigan, and whether Ohio State’s offense can finally shine in this matchup. But nearly every Ohio State win in The Game has included someone on offense delivering an unexpected, momentum-shifting performance.
Max Klare has the resume, the trust of the coaching staff, and most importantly, the opportunity to become that unsung hero. If Smith and Tate are sidelined, Klare becomes a primary target by necessity. If they play, Klare becomes the release valve when Michigan devotes its resources elsewhere.
Either way, he is positioned to be one of the most important and potentially most overlooked factors in determining whether the Buckeyes walk out of Ann Arbor victorious. In a rivalry built on legends and surprises, don’t be shocked if No. 86 becomes the name Ohio State fans talk about long after the final whistle.
