Which Side are You on?
No one could have foreseen during that first match-up of the The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines back in 1897 the frenzy that was to follow.
Considered the greatest rivalry in sports, “The Game” has become the pinnacle of football season for fans across America. The last contest of the regular season is saved for these Big Ten powerhouse teams alternating between University locations of either Columbus, OH or Ann Arbor, MI.
The Border Battle is where legends are made; from Woody Hayes to Bo Schembechler; Archie Griffin and Troy Smith, to Tim Biakabutuka and Charles Woodson. Heisman trophy winners, conference championships, and national titles pepper both sides of the rivalry. To fans, no game is more important than this season’s game; whatever season it is.
In the weeks leading up to game day fans will recount their team’s most infamous plays of games past with stunning accuracy. The jeers and cheers get louder as the battle looms closer and whole towns turn to a kaleidoscope of scarlet and gray, maize and blue colors adorning property and people.
The Michigan fan will point to the overall record against Ohio State which stands at 61-51-6 including winning in years 2021, 2022, & 2023; while Buckeyes will boast a win streak of 8 years straight from 2012-2019. They might even go on to remind a Wolverine that Buckeyes have the winning record over the last two decades. It won’t take long for a Blue blood to retort that they have 1004 wins, 44 Big Ten titles, and 12 National Championships to their name; besting OSU’s stats in the same categories. Statistics aside… you will always love you team. Some were born into others married into it. All the same. On game day you rant, rave and cheer your heart out! Go Bucks! Go Blue!