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9 Moments in Michigan-Ohio State rivalry when it was the absolute best to be a Wolverines fan

GBMWolverine · Jul 21, 2026 03:38 · 6 min read

9 Moments in Michigan-Ohio State rivalry when it was the absolute best to be a Wolverines fan — Michigan running back Blake Corum runs for a go-ahead touchdown against Ohio State during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The five best moments in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry to be a Wolverines fan.

If there is one thing that Michigan and Ohio State fans can agree on, it's that "The Game" is the greatest rivalry in sports.

There's just nothing quite like it.

When Michigan football plays Ohio State, it feels like the entire country is watching. That was certainly the case when the two teams waged three consecutive top-10 battles from 2021-2023, all won by the Wolverines. There were also epic matchups, with both teams ranked in the top 10 in 2018, 2016, 2006, and 2003.

Each of those games had national title implications, just like the top-five matchup back in 1997. There have been great wins and rough stretches on both sides of this rivalry, but here are nine moments that have been the best for Michigan football fans in "The Game."

9. The Tim Biakabutuka Game

Michigan football fans will never forget the name Tim Biakabutuka.

While the No. 8 overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft is remembered most for his 37-carry, 313-yard game in the 31-23 upset of Ohio State in 1995, Biakabutuka had four games with at least 190 rushing yards that season.

Despite that, Michigan had three losses going into "The Game." Ohio State, ranked No. 2 was undefeated. The Buckeyes had eventual Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George.

It didn't matter. Biakabutuka had 313 yards compared to 154 for George. The upset victory ended Ohio State's hopes of reaching the Rose Bowl or winning the national championship.

The 300-yard effort remains one of the best individual performances in Michigan football history.

8. Tai Streets changes the game

For the second year in a row (1996),a three-loss Michigan squared off against second-ranked Ohio State, which entered "The Game" undefeated.

This time, the Buckeyes had a 9-0 lead at halftime. Then, after a quarterback change, Brian Griese connected with Tai Streets on a 69-yard touchdown. It was a slant that turned into six and completely turned things in the Wolverines' favor. Michigan got two field goals from Remy Hamilton.

Ohio State was shutout in the second half. The Buckeyes still got a Rose Bowl ticket, but the Wolverines ruined another potential national championship.

7. Michigan finally beats Jim Tressel

Jim Tressel completely changed the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. Within two years in Columbus, he won a national championship.

In 2003, Ohio State was one win away from reaching the BCS National Championship Game for the second year in a row. Standing in the Buckeyes way was fifth-ranked Michigan. The fourth-ranked Buckeyes, a 10-win team, simply couldn't slow down Braylon Edwards, John Navarre, or Chris Perry.

Perry rushed for 154 yards. He added 55 receiving on his way to getting a Heisman invite. Braylon Edwards caught seven passes for 130 yards and two touchdown receptions, while Narvarre was 21-of-32 for 278 yards and two touchdowns to claim the Big Ten championship after a 35-21 win.

6. Bo Schembechler's signature win

Woody Hayes and Ohio State dominated Michigan back in the 1960s, before Bo Schembechler directed the Wolverines to pull off one of the greatest upsets in college football history in 1969.

Michigan was 7-2 going into the Ohio State game. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 1. They were 8-0. Hayes' team had won 22 in a row and were the defending national champs.

It was expected to be a blowout. In the end, it wasn't a close game as Michigan won 24-12. Barry Pierson ripped off a 97-yard punt return, and all the scoring took place in the first half of the monumental upset for U-M, in yet another victory that spoiled what could have been a national title.

5. A shocker at The Shoe

Nobody expected Michigan football to upset Ohio State in 2024. The Wolverines were more than a 20-point underdog against the second-ranked Buckeyes, who were seeking to end a three-game winning streak.

Jim Harbaugh was gone. Connor Stalions, too, but Ohio State still lost 13-10 after not scoring a single point in the second half. Michigan made a field goal late to clinch the win after an epic third-down run by Kalel Mullings to reach field goal range.

Ohio State went on to win the national title in the 12-team playoff; However, it has to be the most hollow title in Buckeye history as the team didn't beat Michigan or even win the Big Ten.

Michigan's last two national titles featured undefeated seasons, Big Ten championships, and wins over Ohio State.

4. The evil empire is vanquished

Hiring Mike Macdonald changed the rivalry in Michigan's favor, along with building an offensive line that bullied the Buckeyes in the trenches four years in a row.

2021 was just the beginning. Hassan Haskins scored five rushing touchdowns. Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks, and David Ojabo did the LeBron dance in one of the most memorable days the Big House has ever seen, thanks to a 42-27 win that ended a 10-year drought.

This might not have been the most important win in the history of the rivlary for Michigan, but it might have been the most enjoyable. It also punched the Wolverines ticket to the Big Ten title game, which they won, before reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time.

3. Jim Harbaugh wins in Columbus

Outside of beating Alabama in the Rose Bowl, in the final game of Nick Saban's career, Jim Harbaugh's finest win was the victory at Ohio State in 2022.

It wasn't just a win. It was a domination. The Buckeyes grabbed the lead early, but after J.J. McCarthy's second touchdown pass to Cornelius Johnson, the Wolverines didn't really look back.

Colston Loveland put Michigan in front with a touchdown reception early in the third quarter, and the Wolverines wouldn't trail again. McCarthy accounted for four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) as Michigan won in Columbus for the first time in 22 years.

This was when the rivalry turned, officially.

2. Charles Woodson seals the Heisman Trophy

The Michigan football legend might have been the most unlikely Heisman Trophy winner of all time. He's still the only non-offensive player to win the award.

Woodson returned a punt for a touchdown, stopped an Ohio State drive by intercepting a pass in the end zone, punched David Boston, and also caught a pass that set up another score in the 20-14 win.

Woodson won the Heisman, then intercepted another pass in the Rose Bowl as Michigan beat Washington State 21-16 to earn a share of the national championship with Nebraska.

1. The biggest game in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry

The 2023 edition of "The Game" was the most important in the series of the rivalry. Michigan and Ohio State were each in the top three and both teams were undefeated.

The sign-stealing scandal exploded earlier that season, so there was this idea that if Ohio State could win in 2023, it would invaldiate 2021 and 2022.

However, even without Jim Harbaugh as the head coach (suspended), the Wolverines came out on top with a 30-24 victory. J.J. McCarthy fired a touchdown pass to Roman Wilson to give the Wolverines a two-score lead. Will Johnson also delivered a huge interception, taking the ball away from Marvin Harrison Jr. to set up the game's first score.

Then, after Zak Zinter went down with a season-ending injury, Blake Corum scored a touchdown on one of the greatest runs in Michigan history. He flashed the 6-5 in the end zone, and that was that.

Michigan beat Ohio State for the third year in a row, won a third straight Big Ten championship, and caputred the program's first national title in 26 years.