Ohio State vs Michigan: 10 best games in “The Game” history

8. 2005

Final Score: Ohio State 25, Michigan 21

The first game of the 21st century to make this list, this Ohio State-Michigan matchup from 2005 would set the pace for what would come the following year while becoming one of the great editions of “The Game” in its own right.

The ninth-ranked Buckeyes came into the Big House that Saturday afternoon as the favorite but found themselves in yet another battle when the records just don’t matter. The Wolverines had already lost to Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Minnesota that season but were determined to play spoiler in the Buckeyes’ quest for their 30th Big 10 title. And they were doing just that as they came into the fourth quarter holding an 18-12 lead over an Ohio State team that had suffered two losses of their own but were still in a good position for a BCS berth. Quarterback Troy Smith would not let his team fail.

As time ticked away and Michigan had tacked on a field goal to take a 21-12 lead with less than eight minutes to play, Smith, who went 27-for-37 for 300 yards, led the Buckeyes on drives of 67 and 88 yards to overcome the deficit. Smith was especially brilliant on one of the final plays of the game when he found Anthony Gonzalez on a 26-yard pass to set up the final touchdown.

On that particular play, Smith almost ran the ball as his receivers were covered and as he ran to his right he threw the ball where only Gonzalez could catch it on a beautiful throw. Gonzalez leaped into the air to catch it and ended up at the 4-yard line. Antonio Pittman would ram it home and give Ohio State a 25-21 victory, giving Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes their second straight victory in “The Game.” Of course, the stakes would be a little higher a year later, but more on that in a bit.