It is simply known as The Game—a rivalry that transcends sport, where history meets passion on the gridiron each fall. The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes—two titans of college football who boast the most and third-most wins in NCAA Division I history—will add another chapter to their storied saga.
This Saturday, in the heart of Ohio Stadium, the 120th meeting of these fierce adversaries will unfold. The second-ranked Buckeyes will face the Wolverines in a contest rich with tradition, emotion, and implications that extend far beyond the scoreboard. Few rivalries burn brighter, and fewer still carry the weight of history quite like this.
Michigan vs. Ohio State: Explaining “The Game”
It begins with whispers of anticipation and crescendos into roars of passion. The Game. Michigan versus Ohio State. A rivalry so deep, so storied, it transcends mere football. It is tradition. It is history. It is war.
This rivalry, born in 1897, is more than a clash of two college football powerhouses. It is a reflection of identity, pride, and a history that stretches beyond the gridiron. From that first lopsided Michigan victory, 34-0, to the dramatic battles of today, it has become the gold standard of what a rivalry should be: fierce, uncompromising, and timeless.
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For over a century, this series has defined excellence in college football. Both teams rank among the most storied programs in the sport’s history, with Michigan owning the most wins and Ohio State not far behind. When these two meet, it’s not just about conference supremacy or bragging rights; it’s about legacy.
The rivalry’s intensity has only grown since 1918, when the teams began playing annually, interrupted only once in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a game steeped in tradition, from alternating venues between Michigan Stadium and Ohio Stadium to the familiar sights of scarlet and maize filling the stands. For fans, it’s more than a game—it’s a pilgrimage.
The stakes have often been monumental.
Twenty-two times, Michigan and Ohio State have faced off with the Big Ten title directly on the line. Countless other meetings have carried implications for the Rose Bowl and, now, the College Football Playoff.
Each chapter is etched into the collective memory of their fanbases, from the snowy chaos of the 1950 “Snow Bowl” to the high-scoring, top-ranked showdown in 2006, when No. 1 Ohio State narrowly defeated No. 2 Michigan in a 42-39 classic.
Legends have been born on these fields. In the early 20th century, Ohio State’s Chic Harley led the Buckeyes to their first victory in the series in 1919, a feat that transformed the program. Decades later, the rivalry reached new heights during the “Ten-Year War” of the 1970s.
Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, former mentor and student, stood on opposite sidelines, their teams clashing in some of the most hard-fought games in college football history. The Wolverines and Buckeyes were often top-five teams during this era, making their November showdowns the Midwest’s de facto national championship games.
More recently, the pendulum has swung back toward Michigan.
After Ohio State’s dominance under Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, Jim Harbaugh redefined the rivalry for the Wolverines. In 2022, Michigan stormed into Columbus and captured its first road victory in the series since 2000, a 45-23 statement win.
In 2023, despite Harbaugh’s suspension, Michigan secured its third straight victory in the rivalry, marking the first such streak since 1997. For the Wolverines, it was more than a win—it was a resurgence.
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This rivalry isn’t just about football.
It’s about the people—the fans who pour their hearts into their teams. For over a century, the inhabitants of Ohio and Michigan, neighbors for most of the year, become fierce adversaries for one week in late November. It’s about the memories passed from generation to generation, the tales of victories and heartbreaks that shape family traditions and fuel the fire for the next game.
Every chapter of this rivalry reminds us why we love college football. It is raw, unscripted, and unforgettable.
This is The Game. It is more than sport—it is a testament to the power of tradition, the weight of history, and the enduring magic of college football. Michigan. Ohio State. Where the stakes are always high, and the echoes of greatness never fade.
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