Did you ever wonder how the Michigan vs. Ohio State football rivalry became so huge?

By David McClelland

Every year, both schools look forward to the final regular season game against each other and that game usually has significance. Let's look at how this rivalry began and why it became so huge. I thought I knew all about it, but I learned quite a bit by doing the research. I think that you will learn from it also.

During the last four decades, this rivalry has attracted national attention as most of the games have determined the Big Ten Conference title and the resulting Rose Bowl match ups. Some have even been instrumental in determining the national championship.

The first meeting on the gridiron between these two schools took place in Ann Arbor in 1897 with the Wolverines winning 34-0. Michigan won or tied every game from 1897–1912. They resumed playing in 1918 when the teams played their first Big Ten game with Michigan winning 14-0. It was their 11th shutout over the Buckeyes. In 1919, Ohio State won its first game in the series 13-3 with legendary halfback, Chic Harley. That year, OSU won its first of three straight games vs. Michigan. Harley went on to win the Heisman Trophy and it spurred OSU to build its horseshoe stadium for Ohio State football which was competed in 1922. In the inaugural game between these two teams in Ohio Stadium that year, Michigan posted a 19-0 win before 71,000 football fans. By the end of the 1920's, the series stood at 19-5-2 in Michigan's favor.

The two schools began playing their final regular season game against each other in 1935. Before that and since 1918, the location of this last game has alternated between Ann Arbor and Columbus. The games have been played in Ohio Stadium since 1922 and in Michigan Stadium since 1927. So far, the two teams have decided the Big Ten Championship 24 times.

The states of Michigan and Ohio engaged in a brief, and nearly bloodless, border dispute in 1835 and 1836 known as the Toledo War. Some believe that the football rivalry is a logical extension of that historical event.

Michigan won 3 of 4 games between 1930–1933, claiming the national championship twice. In 1934, Francis Schmidt became the OSU head coach and was asked if his team could beat Michigan. He responded, "Of course we can beat Michigan. They put their pants on one leg at a time just like we do." The Buckeyes proceeded to win the next four games by shutouts and outscoring Michigan 114-0. Schmidt's quote started a tradition whereby every OSU player on a team that beats Michigan receives a gold pants pendant.

Michigan won all three games from 1938-1940. In the 1940 game, Michigan won 40-0 in a performance that many considered to be the greatest Michigan team in its history. It was the final Michigan game for the legendary tailback tandem of Tom Harmon and Paul Kromer. By the end of the 1940's, the series record was 30-12-4.

Skip ahead to the Woody Hayes years at Ohio State (1951-1978) when Ohio State won 12 of 18 games, including the 1957 victory before the first crowd of over 100,000. Bo Schembechler began his coaching years at Michigan in 1969 after Coach Bump Elliott resigned and a renewed rivalry began between these two coaches and their schools. Their first ten years were called the "Ten Year War." Michigan won that series 5-4-1. Hayes coined the phrase, "That team up north" so he wouldn't have to say "Michigan." Hayes was fired in 1978 season after punching an opposing player in the Gator Bowl.

The years from 1979-1987 were the Schembechler/Earl Bruce era which ended with the series at 46-33-5 in favor of Michigan. Michigan continued it domination of the series until 2001 when Jim Tresssel, a former Younstown State coach, became head coach at Ohio State. So far, in the ten games of Tressel's tenure, OSU has won all except one.

Michigan's all time record is 884-307-36 (.735%). Ohio State's is 830-309-53(719%). Michigan won 11 national titles to OSU's 7. OSU has had 7 Heisman Trophy winners to Michigan's 3. Both schools have supplied the NFL with numerous players, too many to list here.

Of course, this isn't the only huge college football rivalry. Michigan and Michigan State have a big rivalry going in all sports, but especially football. There is a strong Michigan vs. Notre Dame football rivalry. The Army-Navy game rivalry is also huge and has lasted for 110 years with Navy leading the series 55-49-7.

For my money, the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is still the best. I look forward to it every year. Tressel has had Michigan's number during this decade and the series numbers are getting closer, but Michigan still has the overall series lead 57-44-6. I'm already looking forward to next November when the Big Game returns to Ann Arbor. Will you be there?
If not, will you be watching the big game on a large screen, HD TV? I'll bet you will.