1. In 1951, Woody Hayes became the head coach of Ohio State and quickly returned the program to prominence. Hayes won three national championships in his first eleven seasons (1954, 1957, and 1961) and also produced a Heisman Trophy winner (Hopalong Cassady in 1955), an Outland Trophy winner (Jim Parker in 1956), and a Maxwell Award winner (Bob Ferguson in 1961). Perhaps more importantly, Hayes was 7-4 in The Game, including a 50-20 blowout in 1961. After Michigan scored a late touchdown to cut the Ohio State lead to 42-20, Hayes ordered his team to play on. The Buckeyes scored a touchdown of their own with 5 seconds left in the game, and Hayes elected to go for a two-point conversion. The conversion was successful, and the 50 points scored by Ohio State remains a team record in The Game.
2. Neither team was very good from 1962 to 1967, with Ohio State posting an overall record of 35-18-1 and no Big Ten championships, and with Michigan posting an overall record of 28-28-2 and a Big Ten title in 1964. Ohio State held an edge in The Game, 4-2.
3. With a young team in 1968, the Ohio State Buckeyes were not expected to compete for a Big Ten championship, much less a national title. However, the Super Sophs went a perfect 10-0-0, including a 50-14 victory over #4 Michigan in The Game (Hayes again went for two late in the game because he "couldn't go for three") and a 27-16 victory over #2 Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes won both the AP and coaches poll titles for 1968, the first unanimous national championship for Ohio State.
4. In 1969, the Super Sophs were one year older and one year better. The #1 Buckeyes cruised through their first eight games by a combined score of 371 to 69 (46.4 to 8.6 on a per game basis). Then came The Game. Led by rookie head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the rivalry. Although the total yardage was essentially dead even (374 yards for Michigan, 373 yards for Ohio State), the Buckeyes committed seven turnovers (six interceptions and a fumble) and lost by the score of 24 to 12. The loss cost the Buckeyes a unanimous national championship. This Game marked the first installation of the Ten Year War between Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler.
5. Ohio State rebounded in 1970 to win all nine of its regular season games, including a 20-9 victory over Michigan. The Buckeyes once again had a chance to win a major national championship but they were upset in the Rose Bowl by Stanford. The Buckeyes did win a share of the NFF (pre-bowl) national championship in 1970. The NCAA does recognize this national championship, even if many Buckeye fans do not.
6. 1971 was a rebuilding season at Ohio State (6-4-0), but Michigan was loaded. The Wolverines went a perfect 11-0-0 during their regular season, including a 10-7 victory in The Game, but lost their national championship bid when they fell to Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
7. Ohio State returned to form in 1972, beating Michigan, 14-11, for the Wolverines only loss of the season. The teams split the Big Ten championship, but the Buckeyes earned an invitation to the Rose Bowl, where #3 Ohio State and #1 Southern Cal played in a de facto national championship game. The Trojans won easily, 42 to 17, and took home the title.
8. The 1973 Game was one of the most controversial in the rivalry. Both teams entered the contest with perfect records and a top-5 ranking: #1 Ohio State was 9-0-0, while #4 Michigan was 10-0-0. The Buckeyes jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but the Wolverines tied the game in the fourth quarter and had two chances to win late. However, Michigan place kicker Mike Lantry missed a pair of field goal attempts in the final minute of the contest and The Game ended a 10-10 tie. Because of the tie, Michigan and Ohio State split the Big Ten championship. But there was no way to split the ensuing Rose Bowl bid, so the Big Ten athletic directors held a vote to see which team would represent the conference. This time Ohio State won, 6-4, and the Buckeyes validated the ADs' decision by hammering Southern Cal, 42-21. The 10-0-1 Buckeyes finished #2 in the AP poll behind 12-0-0 Notre Dame, while the 10-0-1 Wolverines finished #6.
9. Michigan entered the 1974 Game with a perfect 10-0-0 record, while Ohio State was 10-1-0 thanks to a controversial loss to Michigan State earlier in the season. The 1974 Game was decided by field goals, four makes from Buckeye kicker Tom Klaban and two crucial fourth quarter misses by Wolverine kicker Mike Lantry. Ohio State prevailed, 12-10, and again went to the Rose Bowl. In another national championship showdown with Southern Cal, the Buckeyes lost a heartbreaker in the final minute, 18-17, and the Trojans won the 1974 coaches poll title.
10. From 1970 to 1974, Michigan went 50-4-1, with each blemish coming in the final game of the season and probably costing the Wolverines a national championship. In 1970, 1972, and 1974, Michigan lost to Ohio State in The Game, while the 1973 Game ended in a tie; in each of those seasons, Michigan did not get to play in a bowl game. In 1971, Michigan did manage to beat Ohio State, but subsequently lost to Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
11. In 1975, Ohio State, behind two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, rolled to a perfect 11-0-0 record during the regular season, including a 21-14 victory in The Game. However, the #1 Buckeyes lost the national championship when they fell to an unheralded UCLA team in the Rose Bowl.
12. Woody Hayes took an early 4-2-1 record in the Ten Year War, but he lost his final three contests to Bo Schembechler (1976 to 1978) to finish at 4-5-1. Overall, Hayes was 205-61-10 at Ohio State (.761 winning percentage), with 5 national championships (3 major), and an impressive 16-11-1 in The Game. Woody's storied coaching career came to an end after the 1978 season, when he punched a Clemson player during a loss in the Gator Bowl.
13. Earle Bruce quickly but briefly returned Ohio State to national prominence. Replacing the legendary Woody Hayes for the 1979 season, Bruce led his team to a perfect 11-0-0 record during the regular season which included an 18-15 win in The Game, with Ohio State scoring the winning touchdown on a blocked punt by Kelvin Bell. The #1 Buckeyes once again went to the Rose Bowl, where once again they lost a national championship after once again suffering a narrow 17-16 loss to Southern Cal.
14. Earle Bruce and Bo Schembechler would square off eight more times, with the two coaches splitting those contests. During a disappointing 1987 season, Ohio State fired Earle Bruce during the week leading up to The Game but allowed him to coach in the season finale. The Buckeyes rallied around their lame duck coach, and sporting EARLE headbands defeated Michigan by the score of 23 to 20.
15. Thus began the John Cooper Era at Ohio State. While Cooper made many improvements to the Buckeye program, both on the field and in recruiting, he will best (or worst) be remembered for his dismal 2-10-1 record in The Game (1988 to 2000).
16. Meanwhile, the legendary Bo Schembechler resigned after the 1989 season, with an overall record of 194-48-5 (.796 winning percentage) and a record of 11-9-1 in The Game.
17. Michigan won the 1991 Game, 31-3, thanks in part to a 93-yard punt return by Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, which remains the second longest punt return allowed by Ohio State. The Buckeyes quarterback that day was Kirk Herbstreit. Now Howard and Herbstreit are teamed up on ESPN's College Gameday.
18. In 1992, the teams tied, 13-13, which led Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee to sarcastically remark that "this is one of our greatest wins ever". The tie improved John Cooper's record in The Game to 0-4-1.
19. In 1993, Michigan ruined an undefeated season for Ohio State by winning The Game, 28-0. In 1994, John Cooper got his first win in The Game, 22-6, but followed that up with a loss to Alabama in the Florida Citrus Bowl (Cooper was also a miserable 3-8 in bowl games).
20. In 1995, #1 Ohio State entered The Game with a perfect 11-0-0 record, while #18 Michigan was 8-3-0. The Wolverines pulled the stunning upset, 31-23, thanks to 313 yards rushing from Tim Biakabutuka. Meanwhile, Ohio State's Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George, was held to 104 yards on the ground. The loss ruined Ohio State national championship hopes, their first legitimate title run since 1979.
21. In 1996, #2 Ohio State once again entered The Game with a perfect 10-0-0 record, and once again #21 Michigan pulled off the upset, 13-9. The only touchdown of the game came when Buckeye cornerback Shawn Springs slipped in single coverage and Wolverine wide receiver Tai Streets took a short pass 69 yards for the score. Ohio State rebounded by beating an undefeated Arizona State team in the Rose Bowl, but the 11-1-0 Buckeyes would finish #2 in both major polls behind 12-1-0 Florida.
22. In 1997, the tables were turned, with Michigan entering The Game with a perfect 10-0-0 record and Ohio State looking for the upset to spoil a national championship season. However, Michigan won The Game, 20-14, thanks in part to a punt return for a touchdown by Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson. Michigan would complete its perfect season with a win in the Rose Bowl, and earned the AP national championship (Nebraska won the coaches poll in 1997).
23. John Cooper got his second and last victory in The Game in 1998, but the 10-1-0 Buckeyes were already out of national title contention thanks to a mind-boggling loss to Michigan State just two weeks prior. Ohio State would beat Texas A+M in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-1-0 and #2 in both major polls.
24. Michigan won The Game in both 1999 and 2000, bringing their overall record in the series to 56-35-6; in Big Ten titles, 40 to 28; and in national championships, 9 to 6.
25. In the second half of the 20th Century, Michigan's lead was just 27-23-2 in The Game, while the teams tied in Big Ten titles with 20 each, and Ohio State led in national championships, five to one.
2. Neither team was very good from 1962 to 1967, with Ohio State posting an overall record of 35-18-1 and no Big Ten championships, and with Michigan posting an overall record of 28-28-2 and a Big Ten title in 1964. Ohio State held an edge in The Game, 4-2.
3. With a young team in 1968, the Ohio State Buckeyes were not expected to compete for a Big Ten championship, much less a national title. However, the Super Sophs went a perfect 10-0-0, including a 50-14 victory over #4 Michigan in The Game (Hayes again went for two late in the game because he "couldn't go for three") and a 27-16 victory over #2 Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes won both the AP and coaches poll titles for 1968, the first unanimous national championship for Ohio State.
4. In 1969, the Super Sophs were one year older and one year better. The #1 Buckeyes cruised through their first eight games by a combined score of 371 to 69 (46.4 to 8.6 on a per game basis). Then came The Game. Led by rookie head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the rivalry. Although the total yardage was essentially dead even (374 yards for Michigan, 373 yards for Ohio State), the Buckeyes committed seven turnovers (six interceptions and a fumble) and lost by the score of 24 to 12. The loss cost the Buckeyes a unanimous national championship. This Game marked the first installation of the Ten Year War between Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler.
5. Ohio State rebounded in 1970 to win all nine of its regular season games, including a 20-9 victory over Michigan. The Buckeyes once again had a chance to win a major national championship but they were upset in the Rose Bowl by Stanford. The Buckeyes did win a share of the NFF (pre-bowl) national championship in 1970. The NCAA does recognize this national championship, even if many Buckeye fans do not.
6. 1971 was a rebuilding season at Ohio State (6-4-0), but Michigan was loaded. The Wolverines went a perfect 11-0-0 during their regular season, including a 10-7 victory in The Game, but lost their national championship bid when they fell to Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
7. Ohio State returned to form in 1972, beating Michigan, 14-11, for the Wolverines only loss of the season. The teams split the Big Ten championship, but the Buckeyes earned an invitation to the Rose Bowl, where #3 Ohio State and #1 Southern Cal played in a de facto national championship game. The Trojans won easily, 42 to 17, and took home the title.
8. The 1973 Game was one of the most controversial in the rivalry. Both teams entered the contest with perfect records and a top-5 ranking: #1 Ohio State was 9-0-0, while #4 Michigan was 10-0-0. The Buckeyes jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but the Wolverines tied the game in the fourth quarter and had two chances to win late. However, Michigan place kicker Mike Lantry missed a pair of field goal attempts in the final minute of the contest and The Game ended a 10-10 tie. Because of the tie, Michigan and Ohio State split the Big Ten championship. But there was no way to split the ensuing Rose Bowl bid, so the Big Ten athletic directors held a vote to see which team would represent the conference. This time Ohio State won, 6-4, and the Buckeyes validated the ADs' decision by hammering Southern Cal, 42-21. The 10-0-1 Buckeyes finished #2 in the AP poll behind 12-0-0 Notre Dame, while the 10-0-1 Wolverines finished #6.
9. Michigan entered the 1974 Game with a perfect 10-0-0 record, while Ohio State was 10-1-0 thanks to a controversial loss to Michigan State earlier in the season. The 1974 Game was decided by field goals, four makes from Buckeye kicker Tom Klaban and two crucial fourth quarter misses by Wolverine kicker Mike Lantry. Ohio State prevailed, 12-10, and again went to the Rose Bowl. In another national championship showdown with Southern Cal, the Buckeyes lost a heartbreaker in the final minute, 18-17, and the Trojans won the 1974 coaches poll title.
10. From 1970 to 1974, Michigan went 50-4-1, with each blemish coming in the final game of the season and probably costing the Wolverines a national championship. In 1970, 1972, and 1974, Michigan lost to Ohio State in The Game, while the 1973 Game ended in a tie; in each of those seasons, Michigan did not get to play in a bowl game. In 1971, Michigan did manage to beat Ohio State, but subsequently lost to Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
11. In 1975, Ohio State, behind two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, rolled to a perfect 11-0-0 record during the regular season, including a 21-14 victory in The Game. However, the #1 Buckeyes lost the national championship when they fell to an unheralded UCLA team in the Rose Bowl.
12. Woody Hayes took an early 4-2-1 record in the Ten Year War, but he lost his final three contests to Bo Schembechler (1976 to 1978) to finish at 4-5-1. Overall, Hayes was 205-61-10 at Ohio State (.761 winning percentage), with 5 national championships (3 major), and an impressive 16-11-1 in The Game. Woody's storied coaching career came to an end after the 1978 season, when he punched a Clemson player during a loss in the Gator Bowl.
13. Earle Bruce quickly but briefly returned Ohio State to national prominence. Replacing the legendary Woody Hayes for the 1979 season, Bruce led his team to a perfect 11-0-0 record during the regular season which included an 18-15 win in The Game, with Ohio State scoring the winning touchdown on a blocked punt by Kelvin Bell. The #1 Buckeyes once again went to the Rose Bowl, where once again they lost a national championship after once again suffering a narrow 17-16 loss to Southern Cal.
14. Earle Bruce and Bo Schembechler would square off eight more times, with the two coaches splitting those contests. During a disappointing 1987 season, Ohio State fired Earle Bruce during the week leading up to The Game but allowed him to coach in the season finale. The Buckeyes rallied around their lame duck coach, and sporting EARLE headbands defeated Michigan by the score of 23 to 20.
15. Thus began the John Cooper Era at Ohio State. While Cooper made many improvements to the Buckeye program, both on the field and in recruiting, he will best (or worst) be remembered for his dismal 2-10-1 record in The Game (1988 to 2000).
16. Meanwhile, the legendary Bo Schembechler resigned after the 1989 season, with an overall record of 194-48-5 (.796 winning percentage) and a record of 11-9-1 in The Game.
17. Michigan won the 1991 Game, 31-3, thanks in part to a 93-yard punt return by Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, which remains the second longest punt return allowed by Ohio State. The Buckeyes quarterback that day was Kirk Herbstreit. Now Howard and Herbstreit are teamed up on ESPN's College Gameday.
18. In 1992, the teams tied, 13-13, which led Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee to sarcastically remark that "this is one of our greatest wins ever". The tie improved John Cooper's record in The Game to 0-4-1.
19. In 1993, Michigan ruined an undefeated season for Ohio State by winning The Game, 28-0. In 1994, John Cooper got his first win in The Game, 22-6, but followed that up with a loss to Alabama in the Florida Citrus Bowl (Cooper was also a miserable 3-8 in bowl games).
20. In 1995, #1 Ohio State entered The Game with a perfect 11-0-0 record, while #18 Michigan was 8-3-0. The Wolverines pulled the stunning upset, 31-23, thanks to 313 yards rushing from Tim Biakabutuka. Meanwhile, Ohio State's Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George, was held to 104 yards on the ground. The loss ruined Ohio State national championship hopes, their first legitimate title run since 1979.
21. In 1996, #2 Ohio State once again entered The Game with a perfect 10-0-0 record, and once again #21 Michigan pulled off the upset, 13-9. The only touchdown of the game came when Buckeye cornerback Shawn Springs slipped in single coverage and Wolverine wide receiver Tai Streets took a short pass 69 yards for the score. Ohio State rebounded by beating an undefeated Arizona State team in the Rose Bowl, but the 11-1-0 Buckeyes would finish #2 in both major polls behind 12-1-0 Florida.
22. In 1997, the tables were turned, with Michigan entering The Game with a perfect 10-0-0 record and Ohio State looking for the upset to spoil a national championship season. However, Michigan won The Game, 20-14, thanks in part to a punt return for a touchdown by Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson. Michigan would complete its perfect season with a win in the Rose Bowl, and earned the AP national championship (Nebraska won the coaches poll in 1997).
23. John Cooper got his second and last victory in The Game in 1998, but the 10-1-0 Buckeyes were already out of national title contention thanks to a mind-boggling loss to Michigan State just two weeks prior. Ohio State would beat Texas A+M in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-1-0 and #2 in both major polls.
24. Michigan won The Game in both 1999 and 2000, bringing their overall record in the series to 56-35-6; in Big Ten titles, 40 to 28; and in national championships, 9 to 6.
25. In the second half of the 20th Century, Michigan's lead was just 27-23-2 in The Game, while the teams tied in Big Ten titles with 20 each, and Ohio State led in national championships, five to one.