How Michigan-Ohio State Became The Greatest Rivalry In Sports

The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is perhaps the greatest in sports. But besides from the game, the rivalry goes back centuries from the events of the Toledo War. The first game was played in 1897 and they went on to play a number of classics such as the Snow Bowl, the Games of the Ten-year War with Woody Hayes & Bo Schembechler to the days of Charles Woodson to Jim Tressel to the present with Ryan Day and Jim Harbaugh.

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[crunchyasstacos]

It’s a rivalry so strong that without the other one life feels empty

[nathanosborne]

I’ve lived in Ohio my whole life, my dad is an alum of tOSU and now I am a student there as well. A rivalry does not describe the feeling. It’s a hatred that sits for 364 days and on one Saturday at the end of November it’s released. There’s no game that means more to either team or fanbase.

[landenmaster]

I was born into an Ohio State family, and my godfather is a big Michigan fan. He gave my parents a Michigan onesie for me as a baby shower present, and my parents pained "sucks" under the name. Hating that team up north is a way of life in Columbus.

[justamurse]

The Bo and Woody era and the 10yr war is so fun to even read about/watch in retrospective. Reminds you how much excellent tradition there in both programs and the game itself.

[yepanon]

I had to live in michigan for 4 years as an ohio native. When i had my firstborn, i had his mom and i drive an hour south because I refused to have a michigan born child... it runs deep

[zacharyliles]

Good fences make good neighbors is perfect for Michigan and Ohio 😂

[NorcoNate]

You know whats great, after looking at the history of the rivalry. The most competitive time of this rivalry was the 70s and 80s. As there were decades of dominance on both sides outside of that period.

[marks]

I live in the Toledo area. It is still split. Not odd to see Michigan, and OSU fans at the same place here. Some families are even split. That does not happen any where else in Ohio.

[thewillofd]

I’m different to most I feel like, I’ve lived my entire life in Ohio 30 mins outside of Columbus and my entire family are OSU fans except my dad who was born in Michigan and lived there until he was about 12 and because he was a huge Michigan fan I was. I was born in the early 2000s so I grew up in school every year Michigan would take a beating to OSU and all of my friends would ask why I’m a Michigan fan I should just root for the better team but I stayed loyal to Michigan no matter what and the past few years have the greatest payoff of my life and it all culminated into a National Championship this year.

[aarlam]

Dude! The history part was AWESOME!

I'm going to the game tomorrow and I can't wait! 😃

[robgravenor]

The Toledo valley strip was a major blessing in disguise for Michigan, in compensation for us not getting that land the upper peninsula was given to us as sort of a consolation prize, and in the end I think Michigan residents would much rather have that being honest

[taylorism]

Both teams represent great schools, have great tradition, and make each other better. Woody and Bo were amazing characters. Long live the rivalry!

[WBBRA]

Bo Schembechler would have loved this game. Power football at it's best. Late int the 4th quarter, 8:06 to go and Michigan runs the ball down the field for a field goal, a 6 point lead, with 58 seconds left and OSU has used all of it's time outs. Then, Michigan's defense does the job once again for a second interception. Therefore, game over with 25 seconds to go and a victory formation for Michigan and a 12-0 record once again... Michigan 30 OSU 24..

[highseasbanditry]

Harbaugh played QB in the game, guaranteed a win in it, delivered, and now he has coached to 3 wins in a row. His history with the game probably deserved a quick mention.

[doomguy]

You forgot to mention the legendary coach and innovator, Paul Brown, who coached for OSU.

[almightysosa]

I’m a USC and Ohio St fan in socal and my best friend is a Michigan fan so now we get to see our teams play once every other year which is nice.

[timothycook]

Do people realize that long after retirement Woody came to Ann Arbor for a dinner and was lionized. Moral of the story is your best enemy is actually your best friend. I love Michigan but nothing but respect for the Buckeyes. What fun would it be if Indiana was our big rival.

[rudewalrus]

I grew up during the Ten Year War. That was also the era of the 'Big Two and the Little Eight' - since none of the other Big 10 teams were ever really competitive for the conference title. The winner of The Game won the Big 10 and went to the Rose Bowl and - since there were fewer bowl then and the Big 10 only sent a team to the Rose - the loser went home.

[farah_lynn]

Proud Michigander and (soon to be) two time graduate from UM. Go Blue! I think Michigan won by getting the UP over the Toledo strip

[bretthixson]

I’m so glad you mentioned the Toledo war… I did a research paper on it in high school years ago. I’m pretty sure there were fatalities on both sides. I grew up in Michigan age 3-24, 45 minutes just south of Ann Arbor. The hatred for Ohio State was strong. I could only find a job out of college in Toledo Ohio after college in 2010. I’ve since moved to the other state that hates Ohio the second most… South Carolina. I felt truly at home right away as a result. 😅