Ohio State Football: 5 Greatest OSU-Michigan Games

If you've never watched a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines, then you can't consider yourself a true sports fan.

"The Game" has been an icon in college football since 1897, when the rivalry first ignited. Since then, the Wolverines have secured a hefty lead, owning the overall record with 57 wins, 44 losses and six ties, dominating for much of the early 1900s.

However, it's been the Buckeyes on top as of late, as they've won nine of 10 and seven in a row.

The two prestigious programs have combined for 18 national titles, 10 Heisman Trophy Award winners, 82 bowl appearances (13 BCS), 156 All-American athletes and 77 Big Ten titles. Ohio State holds an all-time record of 831-309-53 (71.9 percent), while Michigan is 893-310-36 (73.5 percent).

It’s nearly impossible to pick and choose five great games from such a wide selection. Those that have lived and breathed through either program are most likely to have a different opinion. Still, through vigorous research (and love for the rivalry), this is what I’ve come up with for the top five greatest OSU-Michigan matchups.

5. 1972

The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (10-0) traveled to Columbus in pursuit to carry on their undefeated record, and coach Bo Shembechler’s squad had outscored its conference opponents 151-20, shutting out four.

Freshman running back (and future legend) Archie Griffin carried a big load, and the Bucks defense played stellar, going all four quarters without let up.

Towards the end of the game, Ohio State kept the Wolverines out of the end zone on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line on two-straight dramatic series.  A field goal on either possession would have tied the game, but the Buckeyes won, 14-11.

Afterwards, Schembechler said, "No, I didn't go for the field goal from the one because I thought we could score from there. We should have scored from the one!"

4. 2005

Michigan (7-4) was essentially playing mistake-free football when it led 21-12 midway through the fourth quarter before Ohio State (9-2) quarterback Troy Smith blew away a crowd of over 111,000 in the Big House.

The future Heisman winner was 9-of-12 for 130 yards and a TD on the final two drives, including a 12-play, 88-yard touchdown drive to take the 25-21 lead with 24 seconds left.

3. 1969

This was the first meeting between Michigan's Bo Schembechler and his former boss (and good friend) Woody Hayes, beginning the all-familiar "Ten Year War".

A year after Hayes' Buckeyes cruised past the Wolverines 50-14 on their way to a National Championship (1968), Schembechler shocked the No. 1 Buckeyes with a stunning 24-12 upset in Ann Arbor, yielding Ohio State’s second title in as many tries.

2. 1950

It wasn't an ideal environment. Temperatures hovered near 10 degrees, winds topped 30 mph and snow covered the ground; Columbus was hit by one of the worst snowstorms ever to hit the area.

Several inches of snow had covered the yard lines at Ohio Stadium, and it took a toll on the overused punters. Michigan's Chuck Ortman punted 24 times for 723 total yards (30.1 yards per punt), and Ohio State's Vic Janowicz—who won the Heisman Trophy that year—had 685 yards off 21 (32.6 ypp).

The teams frequently punted on first down just to avoid a turnover. Ironically, it was a turnover—on a blocked punt—that made the difference. Michigan ended up winning the abominable “Snow Bowl” by a score of 9-3, despite no first downs and finishing 0-of-9 passing.

1. 2006

The greatest game in the history of this outstanding rivalry series featured Ohio State ranked No. 1, Michigan No. 2 and both teams undefeated. The colossal showdown between these two powerhouses in Columbus was coined “The Game of the Century."

It also marked the first time in the rivalry series that these two teams met No.1 and 2 in the nation.

One day after Hall of Fame coach Bo Schembechler died due to heart disease, the Wolverines battled back-and-forth with Ohio State for much of the night. A 16-yard touchdown from Chad Henne to Tyler Ecker (two-point conversion good) diminished the Buckeyes lead to 42-39 with 2:16 remaining, but a failed onside kick gave OSU the chance to run the clock out and head to the BCS National Championship game.