“The Game”: Michigan Versus Ohio State

As the legendary Week 13 rolls around in college football, fans and teams are gearing up for the most exciting year of the season. A win in this stage of the season, especially against your rival, can shoot your team up in the AP polls, and see a potential playoff berth. For teams like Virginia and Virginia-State, or Arizona and Arizona-State, these games are only held important in the eyes of the fans, as all four teams are unranked and unlikely to move up any more at this stage of the season. For close-knit teams like Texas A&M and LSU, a victory in their heated rivalry can often serve as a ticket to the postseason, making it one of the most important games of the year. However, amidst all the legendary matchups, there is one rivalry that stands above the rest. Every season, powerhouse programs Ohio State and Michigan face off in what is arguably the most intense and thrilling game in college football. This rivalry, perhaps the most storied in the sport, carries a weight far beyond rankings. For both teams, it’s not just about pride—it’s about legacy, and the generations of history that precede any player on the field.
Known as “The Game,” this rivalry has deep historical roots that trace back to the Michigan-Ohio War of 1835-1836. This brief but intense conflict arose over a border dispute between the newly formed states of Michigan and Ohio, centered on the area around the Maumee River and more specifically the Toledo strip. Both neighbouring states wanted to develop Toledo into a great commercial port, and have the city represent what they can do as a state. The conflict ended with Michigan’s allocation of the Toledo Strip in exchange for statehood, which solidified Ohio’s claim to the disputed land. Despite its relatively short duration, the war fueled tensions and rivalries that have echoed throughout the history of both states. The animosity between Michigan and Ohio was carried forward into the realm of college football, where Michigan and Ohio State established one of the fiercest and most storied rivalries in sports. The annual football matchup, which often determines the Big Ten champion and has national championship implications, symbolizes the long-standing tension between the two states. Today, the game is not just a rivalry, but a celebration of regional pride, history, and the legacy of a dispute that goes far beyond sports.
The basic consensus amongst sports fans is that “The Game” is the best game of the year, showcasing some of the best talent in college football, and giving players the chance to show what they can do heading into the draft. This year, OSU is respectably favored heading into the game, standing at 2 in the AP polls while Michigan has struggled to crack the top 20, sitting currently unranked. Not only does Michigan lack in performance this season, but also talent. After having 23 players drafted to the NFL last season, Michigan lost most of their starting lineup, and had to rebuild within six months. One of the key players missing from this year’s roster is J.J Mcarthy. After leading the Wolverines to a 15-0 season and winning the CFB National Championship, Mccarthy was drafted to the Minnesota Vikings. During his historic season, he had a 72.3% completion rate, one of the highest of the season amongst quarterbacks. Paired with his accurate passing, he also passed for 2991 yards, and threw for 22 touchdowns. His impact on the field along with Jim Harbaugh’s leadership made for a deadly force that picked apart defenses and is what inevitably crushed OSU in “The Game.”