Michigan Wolverines vs Ohio State Buckeyes: The Game
The greatest rivalry in North American sports. Michigan and Ohio State have been battling since 1897 across 123 meetings, with the all-time series sitting at 62–52–6 in favor of Michigan. The two rivals won back-to-back national championships (Michigan 2023, Ohio State 2024) — an unprecedented feat. From the Ten-Year War to the modern CFP era, The Game defines college football.
Program Comparison
| Category | Michigan Wolverines ⭐ | Ohio State Buckeyes |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Championships & Titles | ||
| Claimed National Championships | 12 ⭐ | 9 |
| Last National Championship | 2023 | 2024 ⭐ |
| Big Ten Conference Titles | 45 ⭐ | 39 |
| CFP Appearances | 3 | 7 ⭐ |
| National Championships (Nationally Recognized) | 9 | 9 ⭐ |
| 📊 Program Records | ||
| All-Time Wins | 1,021 (1st all-time) ⭐ | 990 (2nd all-time) |
| All-Time Win Percentage | 73.2% | 73.7% ⭐ |
| Bowl Record | 24–30 (.444) | 29–29 (.500) ⭐ |
| Consensus All-Americans | 89 | 97 ⭐ |
| NFL 1st-Round Draft Picks | 64 | 83 ⭐ |
| Heisman Trophy Winners | 3 | 7 ⭐ |
| ⚔️ Head-to-Head ("The Game") | ||
| Total Meetings | 123 (1897–2025) | |
| All-Time Series | 62–52–6 ⭐ | 52–62–6 |
| Biggest Win | 86–0 (1902) ⭐ | 38–0 (1935) |
| Longest Win Streak | 9 (1901–1909) ⭐ | 8 (2012–2019) |
| Current Streak | — | Won 1 (2025) ⭐ |
| Recent Meetings (Last 5) | Won 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Won 2025 ⭐ |
| 🌟 Legendary Coaches | ||
| All-Time Wins Leader | Bo Schembechler — 234 wins ⭐ | Woody Hayes — 205 wins |
| National Titles by Coach | Yost (6), Crisler (2), Carr (1), Harbaugh (1) | Hayes (5), Tressel (1), Meyer (1), Day (1), Brown (1) ⭐ |
| Woody Hayes vs Bo Schembechler | Bo led 5–4–1 in "The Ten-Year War" | |
| Coach vs Michigan Record | Jim Harbaugh: 5–2 vs OSU | Urban Meyer: 7–0 vs Mich ⭐ |
| 🏈 Legendary Players | ||
| Heisman Winners | Tom Harmon (1940), Desmond Howard (1991), Charles Woodson (1997) | Archie Griffin×2, Eddie George, Troy Smith + 4 more ⭐ |
| NFL Icons Produced | Tom Brady (7× Super Bowl champ) ⭐ | Orlando Pace, Cris Carter, Joey Bosa |
| Iconic Player | Charles Woodson — only DB to win Heisman ⭐ | Archie Griffin — only 2× Heisman winner |
| 🏟️ Stadium & Program | ||
| Stadium | Michigan Stadium ("The Big House") ⭐ | Ohio Stadium ("The Horseshoe") |
| Stadium Capacity | 107,601 (largest in USA) ⭐ | 104,780 |
| Program Founded | 1879 ⭐ | 1890 |
| University Enrollment | ~52,000 | ~67,000 ⭐ |
| Fight Song | "The Victors" ⭐ | "Across the Field" / "Buckeye Battle Cry" |
| 🔥 Notable Games & Moments | ||
| 1902 | Michigan 86–0 — largest win in series history | |
| 1950 "Snow Bowl" | Michigan wins 9–3 with 0 first downs, 0 completions in blizzard | |
| 1969 "Start of the Ten-Year War" | #12 Michigan upsets #1 Ohio State 24–12; Hayes vs Schembechler begins | |
| 2006 "Game of the Century" | #1 Ohio State beats #2 Michigan 42–39; 21.8M viewers; Bo dies day before | |
| 2022 "Return to Columbus" | #3 Michigan beats #2 Ohio State 45–23; first win in Columbus since 2000 | |
| 2024 "Flag Plant / Dual Champions" | Unranked Michigan beats #2 OSU 13–10 (biggest upset in series); both programs win back-to-back national titles | |
Note: Stats as of 2026. The ⭐ indicates the leader per category. Michigan leads the all-time series and total wins; Ohio State leads in Heismans, CFP appearances, and all-time win percentage. These two programs have produced more all-time wins than any other FBS schools.
Note: The Game, the Biggest Rivalry in College Football
A Century-Old Tradition
The rivalry between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes is called simply The Game, and it is the most storied fixture in American college football. Dating back to the late 1800s, the two schools have met in over 100 contests, and for most of that time the annual matchup has decided who wins the Big Ten conference and sometimes who plays for the national championship. For fans in both states, The Game is a matter of family identity passed down through generations.
The Records and the Stakes
- The two teams first met in 1897, making The Game one of the oldest rivalries in college football.
- They have played each other more than 100 times, with the series staying remarkably close.
- Ohio State holds a slight all-time lead in the series, but Michigan has enjoyed long stretches of dominance too.
- The Game is traditionally played as the regular-season finale in late November, adding to its importance.
- Whoever wins usually has a strong claim to the Big Ten championship and a shot at the playoffs.
- Both schools are among the most successful programs in college football history.
The Legendary Matchups
The rivalry has produced many unforgettable games. One of the most famous was in 2006, when Michigan and Ohio State met as the two undefeated #1 and #2 teams in the country, in what was billed as the biggest regular-season game ever played. The Buckeyes won in a thriller, but the era of legendary coaches and Heisman winners on both sides turned The Game into a fixture that defines the entire sport's November tradition.
Why It Runs So Deep
The intensity comes from the schools' shared history and geographic closeness. Michigan and Ohio State sit a few hours apart, and the border between the states makes every year a bragging-rights contest between neighbours. The rivalry has survived generations of coaches, players and rule changes because both programs treat victory as a symbol of state pride, which is why The Game feels bigger than any other regular-season matchup.
Fun Facts
- The rivalry has its own trophy ceremonies and iconic fights over a simple wooden barrel and flags.
- Both teams have produced multiple Heisman Trophy winners, the award for college football's best player.
- The 2006 matchup was the first time the two teams met as the top two ranked teams in the country.
- Fans on both sides treat the week of The Game as a holiday, with traditions, parades and rival chants.
- Michigan and Ohio State are among the largest college football stadiums and attendance records in the sport.
- The annual game is broadcast nationally and watched by millions of fans every year.
- For many alumni, a win in The Game means more than any bowl game or championship.