Ohio State. Michigan. You can’t think of one program without having visions of the other flash across your memory of tapestry. The Yankees are more of a cultural icon because of the Red Sox, Ali is a legend largely because of Frazier, and Duke and North Carolina have a mystique linked together with emotion and legend because they both exist in the same breath.
So it is with Ohio State and Michigan. This is one game that all college football fans tune into because of the history, lore and excitement it conjurs, and we are on the door-step of another edition of this national spectacle.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Game:
Setting the Table:
Since 1897, these two perennial powers have met 111 times with Big Ten and national title considerations often at stake. Known as The Game by many of the its followers, the annual clash is as much late fall in the Midwest as gray skies, falling temperatures, and the gluttonous consumption of turkey. It is the only current and annually occurring rivalry in which both teams are in the top five of the winningest major college football programs of all time.
This one’s not just your average, regional dust-up, but has national interest despite each team’s standing, and has garnered attention as not only the best rivalry in college football, but has been mentioned as the best rivalry in all of sports on numerous occasions.
The two have played consecutively every year with two periods of exception. The budgeoening rivals did not play for the two consecutive years after the first meeting (1898 and 1899), and the contest went on a hiatus again when Michigan left what was then the Western Conference from 1907 to 1917.
Ohio State joined the conference in 1912 and member teams were not permitted to play Michigan until it rejoined the newly named Big Ten in 1917. The two then resumed play in 1918 and have played every year since – without fail, and without pleasantries.
There have been many coach and player legacys defined by what happens in “The Game.” Former OSU head coach Earl Bruce, who enjoyed a 5-4 advantage over his arch-rival has been quoted as saying “If the Ohio State coach wins against Michigan, he can walk down the main streets of Columbus. If he loses, he better walk the back alleys.”
John Cooper, another former OSU head coach was let go largely because of his 2-10-1 record against Michigan. He is in the college football hall of fame yet could not keep his job at Ohio State because of his failures against Michigan. Lloyd Carr, despite bringing the Wolverine program its first national championship in forty-nine years was allowed to resign because of the string of annual beatings he took from a resurgent Ohio State program when new head coach Jim Tressel entered the fray — sweater vest and all.
Heisman trophy winners may have the allure and exposure of this game to thank for the bronze statue. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, and Michigan legends Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson had unbelievable performances with the nation watching on a cold, gray November day.
The Hatfields and McCoys and Montagues and Capulets blush when talking about this rivalry. It’s so important that both institutions decided to move it to the last game of the year beginning in 1935.
This game isn’t just a rivalry or annual contest for bragging rights. It’s college football at its core and a way of life for many associated with it.
Series History
Michigan dominated the early years. In fact, Ohio State was far from competitive in the early going as it tried to build towards what Michigan had already become, getting shut-out eleven times and losing by a combined score of 369-21 in the first fifteen games. Finally, in game sixteen, OSU was able to get its first victory in 1919, just a year after the two began playing as conference foes. The rivalry simply wasn’t much of one with Michigan starting things off with a 13-0-2 advantage.
Since then, things are much more even. The Wolverines still lead the all-time series 58-47-6, but since the two became conference brethren, Ohio State holds the slight edge 47-44-4.
The game has has a notable history of each team taking its turn in the cycle as the alpha-dog.After the onset of dominance by Michigan, the maize and blue also won six in a row from 1922 through 1927, went unbeaten against its arch-rival from 1945-1951, and went 13-4-1 against the scarlet and gray from 1983-2000.
For Ohio State, the Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel eras saw the high-water marks of dominance for the Buckeyes. Hayes enjoyed an advantage of 12-6 before Bo Schembechler arrived in 1969, while Tressel is still adored in Columbus for his 8-1 record (minus the vacated 2010 game) against “the team up north.”
Of course no discussion of Ohio State vs. Michigan would be complete without noting the “ten-year war” that took place between 1969 and 1978. Michigan desperately looked for something to halt the momentum that Ohio State had gotten with the sometimes crazy and psychological antics of Woody Hayes, and they saw it in his former assistant coach Bo Schembechler, and snatched him up in 1968.
During the ten years with both men snarling at each other, the Big Ten became known as the Big two and little eight. OSU or Michigan finished first or second each and every year with The Game deciding things most of the time.
During this period, the two went at it with almost unparalleled intensity and bitter-hatred at times. When it was all said and done after Woody’s last season in 1978, there were bruised egos, a few holes punched in walls, “spies” kicked out of practice, and an advantage by the understudy Schembechler 5-4-1. The rivalry would not be where it is today without them. The two hardly spoke in the years of battle, but became best of friends when all the music stopped.
While things have calmed a bit in recent history, it’s still one of the most intense, clean-hitting, yet fiercely competitive football games you’ll find. Ohio State has won three in a row under Urban Meyer, while Jim Harbaugh is coaching his alma-mater for the first time – trying desperately to turn the tide of OSU winning twelve of the past fourteen in the series.
Memorable Games
1897 – The two teams play their first contest – if you can call it that. Michigan dominated the game by a score of 34-0, scoring all of its point in the first half and holding on after its star James Hogg left with an injury.
1919 – Ohio State beats Michigan for the first time 13-3 thanks to the emergence of OSU all-American running back Chic Harley who was the first real star for Ohio State. His presence led to the energy and excitement that led to the building of Ohio Stadium, or the Horseshoe (‘Shoe) as it’s known today. He had a fifty-yard, weaving touchdown run and four picks on defense.
1922 – Michigan spoils the christening of Ohio Stadium by shutting out Ohio State 19-0. The game is played before a then record 71,000 fans and featured a veteran and stout Michigan defense putting the clamps on the OSU passing game.
1934 – New head coach Francis Schmidt coaches OSU for the first time after Michigan wins nine of twelve in the previous years. When asked whether Ohio State can win against Michigan, he utters the famous quote, “Of course we can win, Michigan puts their pants on one leg at a time just like we do.” Ohio State wins 34-0 behind 319 rushing yards and a tradition is born with every OSU player from then on receiving a replica charm of “gold pants” after a victory over Michigan.
1941 – OSU and Michigan play for the first time with both teams ranked in the AP poll which began in 1936. No. 14 Ohio State and No. 5 Michigan tie 20-20 after several red-zone stops by the OSU defense.
1950 – Not so affectionately known as “The Snow Bowl,” the two teams woke up to blizzard conditions in Columbus. After much debate, the decision was made to play the game in white-out conditions. The two teams traded punts (often on first down) waiting for the other team to make a mistake. After a whopping combined forty-five combined punts later, and without recording a first down or one single completed forward pass, Michigan took advantage of two blocked punts and won the game 9-3. OSU Heisman winner Vic Janowicz punted 21 times for 685 yards in one of the craziest stats in college football history. OSU head coach Wes Fesler was ushered out after criticism of his play-calling during the game, clearing the path for the hiring of Wayne Woodrow Hayes.
1951 – Woody Hayes made his Ohio State coaching debut. In a defensive battle that would be a staple of the rivalry for years to come, and marked by numerous OSU turnovers, Michigan won 7-0 on a six-yard scamper by fullback Don Peterson.
1958 – Michigan outplayed the heavily favored Buckeyes, but couldn’t complete the upset. Driving late in the game, and down just 20-14 and looking for a game-clinching score, Michigan fullback Gene Sisinyak got hit by OSU defensive tackle Dick Schafrath and fumblesd, sealing the game. Bump Elliot becomes the new head coach at Michigan after the loss.
1968 – Ohio State’s super sophomore class dismantled Michigan by a score of 50-14, scoring 29 unanswered points in the second half. Led by the running of fullback Jim Otis (143 yards and four scores) and quarterback Rex Kern (96 yards and 2 TDs), OSU cemented the Big Ten Championship and a date with Southern California in the Rose Bowl where it would win the national championship. After the last score of the game, with the contest already out of hand, Woody Hayes decided to go for a two-point conversion that failed. When asked later why he went for two, Woody uttered the famous quote, “Because I couldn’t go for three.”
1969 – In Bo Schembechler’s first game against his mentor, and facing daunting odds against an OSU team many considered to be unbeatable, Michigan came out with intensity and purpose. Michigan defensive back Barry Pierson was the star with his 60-yard punt return to set up a touchdown, and three interceptions to thwart OSU attempts at a comeback. The Wolverine defense was able to frustrate the No. 1 ranked team and pull off the shocker 24-12. It would be the start of the “ten-year war” between Woody and Bo.
1971 – Michigan came into the game undefeated at 10-0, ranked No. 3, and was looking to cap off a perfect season against an Ohio State team that had looked average up until that time. Trailing late to an OSU team determined to spring the upset, Wolverine running back Bill Taylor scored on a 21-yard sweep with just over two minutes left. With one last chance, OSU’s Don Lamka was intercepted by Michigan’s Tom Darden. Chaos ensued as Woody Hayes went ballistic on the yard-markers for two-fifteen yard penalties. Michigan ran the clock out and headed to the Rose Bowl with a 10-7 win.
1973 – The “Tie.” In one of most covered and discussed games ever, Ohio State, led by Heisman trophy winning running back Archie Griffin, took a 10-0 lead into halftime. The second half was a different story as Michigan quarterback Dennis Franklin connected on timely passes and scored himself on a sweep with just over nine minutes left to tie the game at ten. Franklin would later leave the game with a broken collar bone. Michigan’s Mike Lantry had two attempts to win the game in the final minute but missed both field goals and the game ended 10-10. The biggest drama however came in the events that unfolded after the game. Despite the better record, and despite looking to be the better team, the Big Ten athletic directors voted to send Ohio State to the Rose Bowl instead of Michigan.
1987 – Just five days after being fired, head coach Earl Bruce took his team to Ann Arbor as underdogs. Playing as a unit with “Earl” headbands, Ohio State’s defense played an inspired second half and held the Michigan offense in check, allowing the offense to come from a 13-0 deficit to win 23-20 on a late Matt Frantz field goal.
1991 – The game isn’t so much known for being a classic contest, but rather a Michigan route of 31-3 in which Wolverine receiver Desmond Howard cemented the Heisman trophy. Not only did Howard have two spectacular receptions of fifty and forty-two yards, but he returned a punt down the left sideline for ninety-one yards to the house where he proceeded to strike a pose – a Heisman pose. Poster makers and media moguls are still thanking Howard.
1995 – Playing the role of spoiler at home, Michigan used the 313 yard effort of running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka to knock off an undefeated and No. 2 ranked Ohio State team looking to finish off a perfect regular season and head to the Rose Bowl for a shot at a national championship. Heisman winner Eddie George finished with over 100 yards for Ohio State, but Michigan defensive back Charles’ Woodson’s interception with 48 second left sealed the victory for the maize and blue 31-23.
1997 – An undefeated Michigan team took advantage of some key OSU mistakes and turnovers to take a 20-0 lead early in the third quarter. Despite a furious comeback, Michigan was able to hold on largely because of the efforts of defensive back Charles Woodson. He had a punt return for a touchdown, a 37-yard reception to set up another, and a touchdown saving interception to turn momentum back towards Michigan’s sideline. The Wolverines prevailed 20-14. They went on to win a national title and Woodson eventually took home the Heisman trophy.
2001 – New Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel took his team to Ann Arbor for his first game in the great rivalry. When hired, Tressel famously laid out the message that Ohio State fans could be “ … proud (of your football team) … “most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the football field.” It came true as Ohio State controlled the game early on behind the 129 yard rushing effort of running back Jonathan Wells. Michigan rallied, but the Buckeyes were able to hold on 26-20 to spoil the Wolverines’ hopes at a BCS bowl bid.
2002 – Ohio State was in the throws of a dream season of destiny, but it still had to get by its arch-rival that had thwarted so many similar situations in the 1990’s. Undefeated and just one win away from a birth in the national title game, Ohio State played from behind most of the game. Finally, at 8:30 of the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes embarked on a 57-yard scoring drive that was capped off with an option to tailback Maurice Hall for the go-ahead score. Michigan tried to rally, and got deep inside OSU territory only to have John Navarre’s last pass of the game picked off by Buckeye safety Will Allen to preserve the 14-9 win. Ohio State would go on to win the national championship against Miami in a classic of all classics Fiesta Bowl.
2006 – For the first and only time, it was No.1 vs No. 2. For even more drama and intrigue, the iconic former head coach Bo Schembechler passed away on the eve of the game. With both sides playing with heavy hearts, it was a wild affair with more offense than Woody or Bo could ever dream of. In the end, Ohio State, behind Heisman quarterback Troy Smith’s four touchdown passes, was able to seal the deal with an onside kick recovery with just more than two minutes to play. Ohio State held on for a 42-39 win, which just happened to match the Pick 4 Ohio lottery numbers later that night (4-2-3-9).
2011 – Desperate to end a seven-game losing streak to Ohio State, new Michigan head coach Brady Hoke took his place in The Game. Michigan controlled most of the contest, but a bizarre double penalty after what appeared to be a Michigan touchdown to seal victory brought the ball back twenty-five yards where Michigan had to settle for a field goal. With second life, OSU started a modest march downfield, but when quarterback Braxton Miller overthrew a wide-open Devier Posey, it felt like an opportunity missed. A tipped interception thrown by Miller a few plays later, and Michigan had a 40-34 win. And with it, an end to a seven year OSU win streak.
2013 – Ohio State had won 23-straight games under coach Urban Meyer and was looking to win another to earn the right to play in Indy for the Big Ten Championship and perhaps more. Michigan had an average year at best but played with intentions of derailing the dreams of its rival once again. On an injured leg, Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner gutted out 451 yards and four touchdowns through the air. The Wolverines scored late and had an opportunity to kick the PAT for a tie but Brady Hoke called for a two-point conversion instead to win. With just 32 seconds left, OSU safety Tyvis Powell read Gardner’s pass, stepped in front and intercepted it to seal the game 42-41.
Heroes of the Game
Troy Smith – The Heisman quarterback for Ohio State loved to show up against Michigan. In 2004, he amassed 386 total yards on offense. In 2005, he made several key plays when things broke down in the fourth quarter to will his team to victory 25-21. Then, in 2006, in the “matchup of the century,” Smith threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns. There’s no truth to the rumor that PITA sent a stern letter to the Heisman winner for his cruel treatment of Wolverines.
Desmond Howard – The Heisman wide receiver from Michigan had too many highlight-reel moments to single any one of them out, but his performance in the contest in 1987, and the “Heisman Pose,” will forever be etched in the minds of college football fans.
Charles Wodson – The all-american and Heisman defensive back from Michigan played a key role from 1995 through 1997, but who could forget his performance against Ohio State in Ann Arbor in 1997? He returned a punt for a touchdown, saved a touchdown with an interception, and had several other key plays on offense and defense. He was all over the place, including in the head of Ohio State receiver David Boston.
Archie Griffin – The two-time Heisman winner never lost to Michigan. His stats weren’t earth shattering, and he only scored one touchdown, but he toted the mail for the Woody Hayes running game that controlled each game he played in.
Vic Janowicz – In the 1950 “Snow Bowl,” Ohio State’s Janowicz punted twenty-one times for a total of 685 yards and also managed to kick a field goal in the white-out conditions. It’s tough to determine which stat is more impressive. Despite Janowicz’s busy leg, OSU lost the game 9-3.
Chic Harley – The OSU all-american put Ohio State football on the map. In 1919, he intercepted a record four passes that led to the Buckeyes’ first ever victory over Michigan by a score of 13-3. The record still stands today. So too does a statue of him in Columbus.
Barry Pearson – The Michigan defensive back intercepted three passes and had a punt return of 60 yards to the OSU three yard line that set up a touchdown. His efforts resulted in an upset win by the Wolverines 24-12 over a dominant OSU team that many consider to be one of the best teams of all-time.
Chris Spielman- The all-american linebacker for Ohio State had an unbelievable game against Michigan in 1986. Despite his team losing by a score of 26-24, Spielman recorded a school record 29 tackles officially. Unofficially, 104,000 jaws dropped in the stands that day.
David Boston- The all-american OSU receiver had a game to forget in 1997 against Charles Woodson, but lit up the Michigan secondary in 1998. Boston tallied ten catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns that helped the Buckeyes beat the defending national champions 31-16. He also threw exactly zero punches in the game. A few less than the previous year.
Tom Harmon- Officially, Harmon was listed as a halfback against Ohio State in 1940, but he was all over the field. Michigan’s first Heisman winner rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns, threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns (only misfiring on one attempt), intercepted three pass attempts (one was taken back for a TD), kicked four extra-points, and moonlighted as the punter. If Gatorade was made back then, he would have served it to everyone and slugged down a complete cooler himself. Michigan won 40-0, and the Ohio State fans actually gave Harmon a standing ovation for his efforts. Yes, there is a God.
Tshimanga Biakabutuka- In 1995, Ohio State made “Touchdown Tim” a first-round NFL Draft selection. On a nationally televised broadcast, the Michigan running back ran the ball 37 times for 313 yards as Michigan derailed national title dreams of Ohio State once again, winning 31-23.
Jim Harbaugh- He’s wearing the headset now, but in his playig days, the Michigan QB threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns in 1985 to lead his team to a 27-17 win over Ohio State. In 1996, on the Monday before he played Ohio State, he guaranteed a victory and backed it up with a 26-24 win on Saturday.
Marquis Walker- This rivalry is not known for a long list of outstanding days by a receiver, but Walker had one of those days against Ohio State in 2001. In a 26-20 losing effort, the Michigan receiver finished the day with 15 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
Jim Otis- In the 1968 game that OSU won 50-14, Otis rushed 34 times for 134 yards, scoring four touchdowns – as a fullback.
Bob Ferguson- In 1961, the OSU fullback rushed for 151 yards and four touchdowns, as the Buckeyes declawed the Wolverines by a score of 50-20.
Bo Schembechler- You can’t have a list of heroes in the history of this rivalry without including Glenn “Bo” Schembechler. He ignited the “10-year war” by beating Woody Hayes best team in 1969. His overall record against Ohio State was 11-9-1. During the ten years he and Woody did battle, he owned an advantage of 5-4-1. Bo is Michigan, and Bo is the Wolverine side of the rivalry.
Woody Hayes- You can’t have Bo without Woody. Hayes built Ohio State into the program that it is today and brought the OSU vs Michigan rivalry to a full boil. His antics and psychological ploys often blurred the lines of sportsmanship, but he is an icon of college football, Ohio State football, and the rivalry. When his coaching career was complete, he finished with an overall record against Michigan at 16-11-1.
Fielding Yost- Yost is what old-time college football stands for. He coached Michigan from 1901-1923, and then again in 1925-1926. Michigan dominated the rivalry early, and Yost is one of the reasons why. His teams made OSU want to be better and elevated these programs to where they are today. He owns an overall record in The Game of 16-3-1.
Jim Tressel- Before Tressel came on the scene, Ohio State was being rented out by Michigan. The OSU coach restored pride to the program and brought respect back to what the rivalry stood for. His 7-1-1 record against Michigan will always be remembered in Columbus along with the bump in sales for sweater vests in the central Ohio area while he coached.
Trophy
Trophy? Why? This is one of the greatest rivalries in sports. There doesn’t need to be some made for television miniature statue or fabricated trinket to raise the stakes of a true Donnybrook. When players for Ohio State and Michigan suit it up, it’s about more.
It’s about playing for history, tradition, and bragging rights. Kids grow up wanting to play in this game where the two contrasting colors mesh on a cold, gray late fall day. To be a part of the game is the trophy in itself, and all of the participants get to place the experience on their own mantle of memories and experiences.
FACT 1 – Many feel the rivalry was born out of an actual battle between the states of Ohio and Michigan during 1835 and 1836. The two militias nearly got involved during the “Toledo War” with Ohio ultimately winning that battle.
- FACT 2 – Script Ohio was first performed by the Michigan band in 1932. Ohio adapted it and began the tradition in 1936.
- FACT 3 – Ohio State chose to play the 1950 “Snow Bowl” game. It was presented with the option to cancel the game, take the Big Ten title and go to the Rose Bowl. Instead the loss cost Wes Fesler his job after OSU insisted on playing through the conditions. Without the game, perhaps Woody Hayes never gets hired the following season.
- FACT 4 – When Ohio State beats Michigan, all the players and staff get a pair of gold-charm replica pants in honor of OSU head coach Francis Schmidt’s comments about Michigan putting their pants on one leg at a time.
- FACT 5 – The U.S. Congress once recognized the OSU vs. Michigan game as the “greatest sports rivalry in history.”
- FACT 6 – In 2000, ESPN ranked the rivalry as the greatest North American sports rivalry.
- FACT 7 – The two teams have gone into the game with both unbeaten five time in history. Michigan has yet to win in this scenario with OSU winning four (1944, 1970, 1975, 2006), and with one tied result in 1973.
- FACT 8 – Each team stages multiple contests against each other’s fanbases the week leading up to the game. Perhaps the most well-known is the annual blood drive to see which team’s fans can donate the most blood.
- FACT 9 – Rumor has it that Woody Hayes once refused to buy gas in Michigan when on a recruiting trip there so as not to give the local economy any of his money. It resulted in him and a staff-member pushing the car across the Ohio line on empty.
- FACT 10 – Michigan has made a history of recruiting players from Ohio and often field their best teams when it has recruiting success there. Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, Elvis Grbac, Mario Manningham and others were all from Ohio.
- FACT 11 – Ohio State dedicated Ohio Stadium (the Horseshoe or ‘Shoe) in 1922 versus Michigan. Ditto for Michigan. It dedicated the Big House (Michigan Stadium) in 1927 against Ohio State. Michigan won both contests.
- FACT 12 – Woody and Bo had a heated, intense relationship (or lack thereof) during their coaching battles, but became best of friends after they were removed from heat of the competition.
- FACT 13 – Ohio State used to be referred to as “Ohio” in early year game recaps and articles. Brady Hoke still refers to them as Ohio, but not because he’s old fashioned.
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Phil Harrison is a contributor to The Student Section. He is also a the founder of Big10news.com and featured contributor to collegefootballews.com, talking10.com, and occasionally campusinsiders.com. You can follow him on twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB or email him at pharrison28@gmail.com. If that doesn’t work, you can find him in the doghouse at home.
