Ohio State vs Michigan: 5 best moments from ‘The Game’

There are many great rivalries in college football. However, in terms of Big Ten pride, there isn’t a greater matchup then the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Competition … it’s as old as time itself. But when you think of the word in a college football sense, there are only a few teams that even come close in terms of giving that word its true meaning.

Regardless of their competitive level or record for the season, the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes have never let a spectator down. The Big Ten has seen plenty of great football games since 1895, but this specific rivalry never seems to disappoint. Michigan currently leads the ongoing saga with a record of 58-47-6, but Ohio State has also done their fair share of winning as well.

The offering has seen everything from great coaching to five-star recruiting. From Bo Schembechler to Jim Harbaugh, from Woody Hayes to Urban Meyer.

These two teams have also seen their fair share of quality leadership, and have reaped the benefits as most great teams do.

However, this contest goes deeper than that. Both schools could show up winless for the season and still turn out a great performance in late November. Though Ohio State didn’t join the Big Ten until 1917, the rivalry became official in 1897. One thing is for sure, and that’s it has always brought sheer excitement to the world of college football. After all these years, it’s great to see that some things don’t change.

To please your mind and satisfy your football loving soul, here are five of best moments from “The Game.”

5) The first meeting

You hear it all the time. No matter how many sequels they make after the first installment, nothing beats the original.

One-hundred and nineteen years ago, The University of Michigan met Ohio State University for the first time on the gridiron. Game one resulted in a blowout win by the Wolverines. It lasted four quarters as planned, but Michigan needed only the first half to secure their victory.

Although Ohio State did very little by way of contribution, it was the start of a highly-anticipated rivalry fans look forward to every year. The original meeting kicked off an unbeaten streak for Michigan that lasted until 1912 and surged them toward a 12-0-2 record.

It also marked the beginning of a rivalry that has produced many records and symbolic plays that are important to college footballs history.

Since their first meeting in 1897 until the year 2010, their game has decided the winner of the Big Ten 22 times. Their annual conference showdown, which has been played at the end of the schedules in all but three seasons, has affected the outcome of the conference title an additional 27 times.

The Game, as coined by many, is not only important for the history of the two teams who are playing it, it’s important for the entire conference.

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