Sports

3 Ohio State players Michigan football fans love to hate

GBMWolverine · Jul 23, 2026 00:52 · 3 min read

3 Ohio State players Michigan football fans love to hate — Ohio State's Maurice Clarett, 13, tries to avoid the Michigan defense during their game at the Ohio Stadium , November 23, 2002. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Michigan football fans have enjoyed plenty of great moments against the Buckeyes over the years. Whether it has been a historic upset or a memorable win, U-M fa

Michigan football fans have enjoyed plenty of great moments against the Buckeyes over the years. Whether it has been a historic upset or a memorable win, U-M fans have had plenty to cheer for in "The Game."

Ohio State has had its share of memorable moments, too, especially since Jim Tressel took over as the head coach. Since he took over in Columbus, only Ryan Day and interim head coach Luke Fickell have had losing records against Michigan football.

The Buckeyes have dealt the Wolverines painful losses over the years, too, and these three players are the ones that Michigan fans love to hate.

3. J.T. Barrett

Barrett had a 4-0 record against Michigan football as a starter. He was knocked out of two of the games due to injury, but he's most well-known among Wolverine fans for being short on a fourth down in the 2016 edition of "The Game."

Replay was inconclusive. The play was called a first down, but if it had been ruled a turnover on downs, it probably would not have been changed. Michigan would have pulled off the win, and to this day, fans believe that J.T. Barrett was short.

2. Troy Smith

If Michigan fans don't hate Troy Smith, they should. He was responsible for leading Ohio State to wins over Michigan in 2004 when the Wolverines were a seven-point favorite, as well as in 2005 and 2006.

In 2004, with Braylon Edwards and freshman quarterback Chade Henne, the Wolverines were undefeated in the Big Ten going into "The Game." Smith dominated, though, throwing for 241 yards and rushing for another 145.

The eventual Heisman Trophy winner was 3-0 against Michigan, rallying Ohio State from a nine-point deficit in 2005 in the fourth quarter, as well leading the Buckeyes to a win in the No. 1 vs No. 2 game in 2006.

1. Maurice Clarett

It's ironic that Ohio State fans want to level accusations of "cheating" at Michigan, because the first national championship of this century for the Buckeyes was the result of some shady behavior relating to Maurice Clarett.

Clarett received improper benefits during Ohio State's championship season in 2002. The Ohio State athletic director at the time admitted that after suspending Clarett for the 2003 season. He never played again for the Buckeyes.

"Geiger said Clarett received some of the gifts during last year's championship season. But because Geiger maintains coaches and administrators did not know it, all of last year's wins and national championship are safe for now," Ohio PBS reported in 2003.

Clarett later told ESPN that Tressel and other Ohio State staff members, as well as boosters, provided him with improper benefits. The running back also told ESPN he "took the fall" with the NCAA, which ruled that wins didn't need to be vacated because the school didn't know. Clarett said it did, but he didn't want to take down "half the team."

"According to Clarett, Tressel arranged loaner cars for him and Tressel's brother, Dick, found him lucrative landscaping jobs that he did not even have to show up for. He says members of Tressel's staff also introduced him to boosters who'd slip him thousands of dollars, and the better he played, the more cash he'd receive. He says boosters eventually began inviting him into their homes or would meet him out in the community," ESPN wrote in 2004.

Clarett played in just one game against Michigan, but rushed for over 100 yards, and had a critical reception that set up the game-winning touchdown drive in the Buckeyes 14-9 win.

With all of the allegations and that game, he will also be an Ohio State football player Michigan fans love to hate.