The Game is rich in tradition and legends, as well as thrilling performances.
The 119th meeting between the second-ranked Buckeyes and third-ranked Wolverines at Ann Arbor, Michigan, will be historic even before the game begins on Saturday.
as well as Michigan
Football Rivalry: Ohio State vs. Michigan
Photographer: Anonymous/AP FILE – At an NCAA college football game, Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, left, meets with Ohio State coach Woody Hayes. Woody and Bo had a lot in common when they faced off during the 1970s in what became known as the 10-year Year War between Ohio State and Michigan. Mutual respect, which has been a basis of what is perhaps college football’s greatest rivalry, appears to be dwindling these days – even among the coaches.(Photo courtesy of AP)
Posted at 6:26 AM on November 24, 2023 and last updated at 12:26 PM on November 24, 2023
If it is Michigan-Ohio State, it will almost certainly be a big game.
No rivalry has produced more games featuring Associated Press-ranked teams (No. 49 on Saturday), top-10 matchups, and top-10 matchups.
THE SNOW BOWL
On November 25, 1950, a winter storm blasted through Columbus, Ohio, covering the field with snow and dropping temperatures into the teens. The weather was terrible enough that the game was considering canceled. This would have sent No. 8 Ohio State to the Rose Bowl.
“This is one of the worst football days we’ve ever had,” a broadcaster declared as the game began.
They played, and the teams exchanged 45 punts for a total of three first downs. Michigan scored a touchdown and a safety on mishandled punts, while Ohio State converted a field goal.
The Wolverines won 9-3 and advanced to the Rose Bowl. The defeat was the Buckeyes’ fourth in a row under coach Wes Fesler, who resigned shortly after. Ohio State hired Woody Hayes, who went on to become the school’s winningest coach.VOTE FOR THE NO. 1 ROSE BOWL Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan were unbeaten when they met in 1973, in the height of the animosity between Hayes and his disciple, Michigan coach Bo Schembechler.A 10-10 tie on a rain-soaked field produced legendary drama and controversy (Ohio State players memorably rushed the M Club banner before kickoff). At the time, the Big Ten only sent its champion to the postseason. Big Ten athletic directors voted to determine which team received a Rose Bowl bid.
At the time, the Ten only sent its champion to the postseason. Big Ten athletic directors voted to determine which team would receive a Rose Bowl bid, and Ohio State won. Schembechler was enraged and never recovered from his humiliation. THE GAME OF BIAKABUTUKA In the mid-1990s, the motif of The Game was Michigan destroying Ohio State’s season and making life difficult for Buckeyes coach John Cooper (2-10-1 vs. the Wolverines). No. 2 and unbeaten Ohio State’s heart was broken in 1995 by one of the greatest individual performances in sports history: Tim Biakabutuka ran for 313 yards against the Buckeyes, and No. 18 Michigan triumphed 31-23. GAME OF THE CENTURY No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Michigan State In 2006, Michigan had a
