The Michigan-Ohio State football rivalry isn’t just a game—it’s a century-old showdown with roots extending all the way to an 1835 border dispute over Toledo. For fans of either side, “The Game” represents one of college football’s fiercest competitions, where traditions like gold pants and flag-planting attempts add extra layers to an already heated matchup. The Wolverines currently hold the all-time series lead, but Ohio State has flipped the script in recent years, setting up what promises to be another electric chapter when the teams next meet on November 28, 2026.

4 related posts

All-time series record: Michigan 62–52–6 · Michigan’s longest win streak: 11 (1897–1909) · Ohio State’s current streak: 1 (2025–present) · Most recent game: Ohio State W 27–9 (Ann Arbor)

Quick snapshot

1All-Time Record
2Recent Results
3Rivalry Traditions
  • Gold pants awarded to OSU players who beat Michigan (Britannica)
  • Flag-planting attempts after Ohio State victories (NCAA.com)
  • Crossed-out M symbols on OSU campus (NCAA.com)
4Next Chapter
  • Next scheduled meeting: November 28, 2026 ((Winsipedia))
  • Ohio State enters with current 1-game winning streak (Winsipedia)
Key facts about the Michigan–Ohio State rivalry
Fact Detail
Teams Michigan Wolverines vs Ohio State Buckeyes
First meeting October 16, 1897 (Michigan 34–0) (Sports Illustrated)
Biggest win (Michigan) 86–0 (1902) (Wikipedia)
Nickname The Game
Next game November 28, 2026

Has Ohio State ever beaten Michigan?

Ohio State has beaten Michigan 52 times in the series history. However, the Buckeyes’ path to those victories took over two decades to materialize—their first win didn’t come until they’d endured 13 losses and 2 ties against their rivals from Ann Arbor.

All-time series breakdown

The rivalry began on October 16, 1897, with Michigan dominating the early years. The Wolverines compiled a 12-0-2 record through 1912, largely thanks to Fielding Yost’s “point a minute” teams that outscored Ohio State 214-6 from 1901–1905. Ohio State didn’t score against Michigan until 1904, when they lost 31–6. Per the Bentley Historical Library (University of Michigan’s official archive), Michigan’s longest win streak reached 11 games from 1897 to 1909.

The tables have turned multiple times since then. Ohio State built an 8-game winning streak from 2012 to 2019, their longest stretch of dominance in the series. Michigan broke that streak with a decisive 42–27 victory in 2021. As of 2025, the all-time record stands at 62 wins for Michigan, 52 for Ohio State, with 6 ties, though the Bentley Historical Library lists Michigan’s record as 62–51–6 when excluding Ohio State’s 2010 win that was vacated due to NCAA violations.

Key Ohio State victories

Recent results have favored the Buckeyes. Ohio State won 27–9 in Ann Arbor on November 29, 2025, according to Winsipedia (game-by-game results tracker). This victory gave Ohio State their current 1-game winning streak. Prior to that, Michigan had won back-to-back games: 13–10 in Columbus on November 30, 2024, and 30–24 in Ann Arbor on November 25, 2023, per Britannica (authoritative reference publisher).

Bottom line: Ohio State has beaten Michigan 52 times in 120 meetings. The Buckeyes’ first win required 22 years and 15 attempts. Recent history shows the series remains highly competitive, with momentum shifting between the programs.

Who is favored to win Ohio State vs Michigan?

Predicting favorites for The Game requires looking at current program momentum, historical patterns, and recent performance data. Both teams enter each matchup as legitimate top-25 programs, with the outcome often determining conference championship implications.

2025 picks and odds

Ohio State’s 27–9 victory in Ann Arbor in November 2025 demonstrated their ability to win on the road against a Wolverines team that had beaten them the previous year. The Buckeyes entered that game as slight favorites, and the final margin reflected their edge in execution during critical moments. According to NCAA.com (official collegiate sports body), the rivalry remains one of the few matchups where traditional metrics sometimes fail to capture the outcome—home-field advantage plays a significant role, with games alternating between Ann Arbor in odd years and Columbus in even years.

Betting trends

Betting markets have historically shown Michigan slight home-field advantages when hosting Ohio State, though the spread rarely exceeds a field goal. The series has produced several upsets over the decades, including Michigan’s 42–27 upset in 2021 that ended Ohio State’s 8-game streak. For the next meeting on November 28, 2026, early projections will likely favor whichever team enters with stronger conference performance that season.

Why this matters

Betting markets and expert predictions for The Game carry weight beyond wagering—they often signal which program holds psychological momentum heading into rivalry week, which can influence player mentality and coaching strategy.

What started the fight between Michigan and Ohio State?

The animosity between Michigan and Ohio State extends far beyond the football field, tracing its roots to an 1835 border dispute over the city of Toledo. The two states nearly went to war over the territory before the federal government intervened.

Flag planting controversy

Recent years have seen the rivalry spill into post-game confrontations. After Ohio State’s November 2025 victory, Buckeyes players attempted to plant their flag at Michigan Stadium—a gesture that intensified an already heated rivalry atmosphere. Such flag-planting attempts have become a tradition for the visiting team when they feel confident about their program’s dominance.

Post-game brawl details

Tensions have occasionally boiled over into physical altercations. Players from both programs have been ejected following post-game incidents, with coaches and officials working to de-escalate situations after the final whistle. The rivalry’s intensity means these confrontations, while not daily occurrences, have happened enough that both programs maintain protocols for managing post-game emotions.

The crossed-out M symbol visible on Ohio State’s campus serves as a year-round reminder of the rivalry, a visual representation of the disrespect Buckeyes players and fans hold for their Michigan counterparts.

What do OSU players get if they beat Michigan?

Ohio State players who defeat Michigan receive a tangible symbol of their accomplishment: gold pants charms. This tradition dates back decades and represents one of the most cherished rewards in college football.

Gold Pants tradition

The Gold Pants tradition awards gold-colored charm pants to every Ohio State player who wins The Game. These charms are often displayed on necklaces or keychains and serve as permanent reminders of victory over the Wolverines. The tradition reinforces the rivalry’s significance—beating Michigan isn’t just another win on the schedule; it earns players a physical keepsake they’ll carry for life.

Rivalry rewards history

According to Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia), the rivalry has produced several notable streaks and rewards beyond gold pants, including Big Ten championship implications and bowl game positioning. Michigan maintains its own tradition of treating The Game as their Super Bowl, with players often referencing the matchup as the highlight of their collegiate careers.

The trade-off

The Gold Pants tradition creates intense motivation for Ohio State players but also adds pressure—any loss to Michigan means players wait another year for their gold pants opportunity, sometimes forgoing it entirely if they don’t return for another season.

Did Ohio State plant the flag at Michigan?

Ohio State players have attempted to plant flags at Michigan Stadium following victories. These attempts are part of the broader tradition of post-game celebrations that both programs engage in after beating their rival.

Attempted flag plant details

Multiple reports document Ohio State players attempting to plant their flag at Michigan Stadium, particularly after recent victories. The gesture carries symbolic weight—claiming territory in your rival’s home stadium. Michigan players and fans have historically responded with frustration, as these attempts represent additional humiliation after a loss.

Campus symbolism like crossed-out M

Beyond flag-planting incidents, the rivalry manifests in campus symbols and gestures year-round. The crossed-out M scrawled on Ohio State grounds and buildings serves as a permanent visual dismissal of Michigan. Michigan fans respond with their own displays when the Wolverines travel to Columbus. According to NCAA.com (official sports body), these campus rivalries reflect the deep cultural divide between the two states that extends well beyond athletics.

Bottom line: Ohio State players have attempted flag plants at Michigan Stadium after wins. These moments, combined with year-round symbols like the crossed-out M, illustrate how deeply the rivalry penetrates both campuses—it’s not confined to three hours on a Saturday in November.

The rivalry eras table below shows how dominance has shifted between these programs over more than a century of competition.

Recent game results and locations
Year Date Winner Score Location Source
2025 November 29, 2025 Ohio State 27–9 Ann Arbor Winsipedia
2024 November 30, 2024 Michigan 13–10 Columbus Winsipedia
2023 November 25, 2023 Michigan 30–24 Ann Arbor Britannica
2021 November 27, 2021 Michigan 42–27 Ann Arbor NCAA.com

Rivalry history through the decades

Five distinct eras define this rivalry, each marked by shifting dominance and legendary figures. Seven games during the Ten Year War (1969–1978) ranked both teams in the top 10 of the AP poll, creating perhaps the rivalry’s most storied chapter.

Michigan–Ohio State rivalry eras
Period Dominant Team Key Details
1897–1909 Michigan (11-game streak) Michigan outscored OSU 214–6 during Yost era
1910–1934 Competitive balance Ohio State secured first win after 22 years
1935–1968 Occasional upsets End-of-season tradition begins
1969–1978 (Ten Year War) Bo Schembechler vs Woody Hayes Seven top-10 AP matchups
2012–2019 Ohio State (8-game streak) Longest Buckeyes streak in series
2020–present Competitive cycling 2020 game canceled; recent games decided by single digits

The 2006 game remains uniquely poignant: both teams entered 11-0 with #1 vs #2 BCS positioning, and Michigan coaching legend Bo Schembechler died the evening before the game, lending the matchup an emotional weight that transcends typical rivalry intensity.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • First meeting: October 16, 1897 (Michigan 34–0) (Sports Illustrated)
  • Michigan leads all-time series (62–52–6 per most sources) (Wikipedia)
  • Ohio State’s 8-game streak (2012–2019) was their longest (Britannica)
  • Michigan’s 11-game streak (1897–1909) remains the series record (Bentley Historical Library)
  • 2025 game: Ohio State 27–9 in Ann Arbor (Winsipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Exact all-time record accounting for vacated games varies by source
  • Specific player ejection details from recent post-game incidents
  • 2026 game odds and projections (haven’t been established)
  • Whether future flag-planting attempts will occur

Michigan dominated the early years of the rivalry, compiling a 12-0-2 record in non-conference match-ups, 1897-1912.

— Bentley Historical Library (Official University of Michigan Archive)

It took 13 losses and two ties (over the span of 22 years) before Ohio State came out victorious.

— NCAA.com (Official Collegiate Sports Body)

Related reading: England vs Australia cricket head-to-head stats · Toronto Raptors vs Cavaliers player stats

Additional sources

ohiostatebuckeyes.com, mgoblue.com

Michigan’s all-time lead owes much to consistent performances across their 2024 football schedule, setting up classics like the Ohio State showdown.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Michigan vs Ohio State record over the last 30 years?

The rivalry has seesawed significantly over the past three decades. Ohio State dominated with their 8-game winning streak from 2012–2019, but Michigan won in 2021, 2023, and 2024 before Ohio State reclaimed the series lead with their November 2025 victory. The games have been fiercely competitive, with recent outcomes often decided by single digits.

What was the Michigan vs Ohio State score in 1970?

The 1970 game is considered one of the most iconic in rivalry history. Michigan won 24–12 in a game that solidified the “Ten Year War” era between coach Bo Schembechler (Michigan) and Woody Hayes (Ohio State). The game was part of a stretch that saw seven top-10 AP matchups between the programs.

Who is Michigan’s biggest rival?

Ohio State is Michigan’s football program’s primary rival. The rivalry is so significant that Michigan players and fans often refer to The Game as their “Super Bowl.” The matchup has determined Big Ten championships, Heisman candidacies, and playoff positioning over the decades.

What does a crossed-out M mean at Ohio State?

The crossed-out M is a symbol of rivalry contempt, painted or chalked on Ohio State campus grounds to express disdain for Michigan. It’s part of a broader tradition of visual rivalry markers that both schools maintain, creating a constant reminder of the animosity between the programs.

What started the Ohio vs Michigan rivalry?

The rivalry predates football entirely. Michigan and Ohio nearly went to war in 1835 over a border dispute involving the city of Toledo. The conflict was resolved by the federal government, but the animosity between the states persisted. When football programs at both universities began competing in 1897, they inherited a pre-existing cultural tension that has only intensified over 128 years.

When is the next Michigan vs Ohio State game?

The next scheduled meeting is November 28, 2026, in Columbus (even year = Ohio State home game). This follows the traditional alternating pattern: Ann Arbor hosts in odd years, Columbus in even years. The game will be played at Ohio Stadium, which has hosted Buckeyes home games since 1922.

How to get Michigan vs Ohio State tickets?

Tickets for The Game are among the most coveted in college football. Both teams’ season ticket holders receive priority access, with single-game tickets typically released weeks before each matchup. Prices vary significantly based on venue, with Ohio Stadium and Michigan Stadium both among the nation’s largest football venues. Third-party ticket marketplaces show consistent premium pricing for this rivalry due to high demand from fans of both programs.

For fans of either program, the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry delivers guaranteed drama. Ohio State enters their next meeting having reclaimed momentum, but Michigan has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to reverse recent history on any given November Saturday. With the series tied at a single-game streak entering 2026, the next chapter of The Game has all the ingredients for another unforgettable installment.