Ohio State - Michigan Series
11/19/2009

When it comes to the last 82 games played between Ohio State and Michigan, the Buckeyes and Wolverines are at a draw. Each tie has recorded 39 wins a piece while settling with two ties.

While the 1990s saw Michigan beating OSU 7 out of 9 times, the 2000s were dominated by the Buckeyes who also won 7 out of 9 contests.  In the 105 total matchups thus far in the rivalry, Michigan leads by a total of 57-42-6.

Despite Michigan 15 game lead on the total series, the total points scored over the years is evenly matched. UM has outscored OSU only by a total of 1,271-1,269 in the last 105 seasons.

In 1935, the big game was moved to both teams’ final game of the season. Only three times since then have both teams been undefeated heading into the matchup.

In 1970 OSU beat Michigan 20-9, while in 1973 the game ended in a 10-10 tie. In 2006, the Buckeyes pulled out a marginal victory over the Wolverines by a score of 42-39.

Coach Tressel led the Buckeyes to the 2006 victory and is 7-1 against Michigan in his tenure. Woody Hayes and Earle Bruce also held winning records against Michigan with a 16-11-1 and 5-4 record respectively.

The home team has had the advantage in many of the games, as the home team has recorded 53 wins while the visiting team has only won 46.

The rivalry is always a close matchup; however the game has only once ended in a one point differential. In 1926, UM beat OSU 17-16, handing the Buckeyes their only loss of the season.

The success of both teams is overwhelming throughout their long history. Only once in the 105 seasons of competition against one another have both teams suffered losing seasons. The Buckeyes ended the 1959 season with a record of 3-5-1 while Michigan finished the season at 4-5.

OSU has won 7 of the last 8 contests and 8 of the last 11, dominated the last decade’s matchups. The latest game will be decided on November 21 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

GO BUCKS!

By Kim Reeder, a current OSU communication major.