3 moments it was the best time to be an Ohio State football fan vs. Michigan

Scarlet and Game · Jul 22, 2026 23:00 · 3 min read

3 moments it was the best time to be an Ohio State football fan vs. Michigan — Ohio State's Troy Smith rolls out against Michigan on Nov. 18, 2006. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

These specific moments in time were the peak of being a Buckeye fan over TTUN.

For most of the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry in recent memory, Buckeye fans have had it made. They have been able to enjoy victories over TTUN in the most satisfying ways. When Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer were hired, TTUN never had a chance to enjoy wins.

There are three specific moments in time when Ohio State fans were riding high the most. These times were filled with joy because of how miserable the Ohio State Buckeyes were able to make the Wolverines. Every Buckeye fan longs for these good times again.

1. The entire 2000s

For pretty much the entire 2000s, the Buckeyes owned TTUN. After Jim Tressel was hired in 2001, he made it a priority to beat TTUN. And beat Michigan, he did. Tressel amassed a record of 9-1 against Michigan, although the final victory was officially vacated.

Perhaps the most satisfying victory of all of them was in 2002. Winning that game helped them advance to playing for a national championship. They ended up beating Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, winning the first national championship since 1968. It was a glorious win.

The victory in 2006 was also thrilling, as it was #1 vs. #2 in that matchup in the Shoe. I attended, and it was perhaps the most electric the Shoe has ever been. It is still one of my favorite sports memories to this day, and I bet that's the same for a lot of Ohio State football fans.

2. Urban Meyer era

The entire Urban Meyer era was a victory over the Wolverines. Meyer, an Ohio native, made it a point to want to crush TTUN every single time they played. He prepared for them year-round and made sure his players respected the rivalry. They never lost under Meyer against TTUN.

Perhaps the most satisfying win against Michigan under Meyer was his final one. In 2018, the Wolverines were favored to win and head to the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes had other ideas, blasting the Wolverines 62-39 at home in the Shoe.

Of course, the 2016 double overtime victory will forever live in Buckeye fans' heads. J.T. Barrett got a first down by an inch on fourth down, and the Buckeyes scored a game-winning touchdown the very next play. That win knocked Michigan out of the CFP and put Ohio State in.

3. 2019

This year gets singled out for a very specific reason. It was Ryan Day's first game as a head coach in the rivalry, and Michigan fans were talking a lot of smack. They thought that this was the year that they were finally going to beat the Buckeyes. That ended up not being the case.

Ryan Day's squad ended up winning in Ann Arbor 56-27 in a game that was never close. Justin Fields got hurt and came back to throw a touchdown pass to Garett Wilson on the very first play back. It was great to watch Michigan fans cry about how they will never beat the Buckeyes again.

Day looks to keep that going now that he finally beat them again last year. This year's matchup has a chance for Day to really turn the tide in the rivalry.