Ohio State vs. Michigan football: Series history, scores, notable games (2024)

In a rivalry that needs no introduction: Ohio State and Michigan.

The Wolverines lead the all-time series 59-51-6, following their 2021 victory. The Wolverines ended an eight-game losing streak to the Buckeyes, winning 45-27 on Nov. 27, 2021.

Here isthe history of "The Game."

All-time series resultswere compiled by Winsipedia's database.

Ohio State vs. Michigan: All-time series history, scores

While the Buckeyes and Wolverines first met on the football field in 1897, the disdain between these two states goes back even further. Michigan and Ohio nearly fought a war over the cityof Toledo in 1835.

Six decades later, Michigan defeated Ohio State 36-0 in the inaugural meeting between the two programson Oct. 16, 1897. In fact, the Buckeyes wouldn't score a single point against the Wolverines until 1904. They lost at home in Columbus 31-6.

It took 13 losses and two ties (over the span of 22 years) before Ohio State came out victorious. Michigan's nine-game winning streak from 1901-1909 remains the longest of the rivalry.

Below is the complete head-to-head history between Ohio State and Michigan, followed by a breakdown oftwo of the more memorable games from the series.

*Vacated win as a result of NCAA penalties

Ohio State vs. Michigan: Notable games in series history

Nov. 18, 2006: No. 1 Ohio State beats No. 2 Michigan 42-39 in "Game of the Century"

Very rarely does the No. 1 team in college football meet the second-ranked team in the regular season. As of 2019, it's only happened 24 times.

But when it does occur, thematchup isoften to referred to as the "Game of the Century." The 2006 meeting between Michigan and Ohio State certainly lived up to that billing.

Everything was on the line for these two: aBig Ten title, a spot in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game and, of course, the satisfaction of beating your most-hated foe.

Both teams entered Ohio Stadium with identical records of 11-0.

The top-ranked Buckeyes were led by quarterback Troy Smith, who would eventually win the Heisman Trophy a month later. Michigan had a respectable offense withChad Henne under center. However,the Wolverineswere knownfortheir defense, which was anchored by senior defensive endLaMarr Woodley.

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In terms of star power, this game plenty. Tedd Ginn Jr., Mike Hart, Malcolm Jenkins, Mario Manningham, James Laurinaitas, Beanie Wells, and Brandon Graham were just a handful of players that would eventually be drafted into the NFL.

The Wolverines struck first, thanks to a one-yard touchdown run from Mike Hart at the 12:32 mark of the first quarter. Ohio State landed its firstpunch a few minutes later, completing four third-down conversions to set up a one-yard touchdown pass from Troy Smith to Roy Hall.

Beanie Wells' 52-yard touchdown run off a broken tackle gave the Buckeyeslead again at 14-7. They would never trail for the remainder of the game.

But the Wolverines didn't go quietly. After trailing 28-14 at halftime, Michigan scored 10 points in just under four minutes to make it a 28-24 game. The Buckeyes responded 37 seconds later with a 56-yard touchdown run by Antonio Pittman.

Both teams would again engineerscoringdrivesbefore a 16-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Tyler Ecker brought the Wolverinestowithin five. A successful two-point conversion meant that it was now a one-possession game, 42-39.

Michigan attempted an onside kick with 2:16 remaining, but Ginn. Jr. secured the live ball (and the win) for Ohio State.

Nov. 22, 1969: The "Ten Year War" begins

All great rivalries have their fair share of characters. Ohio State vs. Michigan is no exception.

Former Buckeyes assistantBo Schembechler was hired as Michigan's head football coach in 1969. Not only was he an Ohio native, Schembechler was the protege of longtime Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes. He played underHayes at Miami (OH), and was on hisstaff in Columbus fortwo separate stints: 1952 and from 1958-1962.

So it was teacher versus pupil when Hayes' top-ranked Buckeyes visited Schembechler's 7-2 Wolverines on Nov. 22, 1969.

Ohio State boasted a 22-game winning streak heading into the annual showdown against Michigan. They hadn't lost in over two years, and held the No. 1 spot for the entire 1969 season up to that point.

A one-yard touchdown run by Jim Otis gavethe Buckeyes an early 6-0 leadat the 7:38 mark of the first quarter. Thanks to a missed extra point, a Garvie Craw 3-yard score and a successful PAT earned Michigan a 7-6 advantage to close the opening period.

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Ohio State would regain the lead on the first play from scrimmage in the second. Tight end Jan White caught a 22-yard touchdown pass off a cross route. It was the last time the Buckeyes would score all game.

The Wolverines scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter alone, giving them a 24-12 halftime lead. Both offenses were shut out in the second half, as Michigan held on for a stunningvictory.

Michigan's upset ushered in a new chapter in the rivalry, known as the "Ten Year War." From 1969 to 1978, Hayes'Buckeyes and Schembechler's Wolverines met at the height of their powers in 10 heavily-contested games. Most of these matchups decided which team would represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl.

The two schools either shared or won outright everyBig Ten championship from 1969 to 1977.