When it comes to Ohio State and Michigan, the outcome on the gridiron between two of college football's most storied programs is about much more than just which column the checkmark falls once the clock hits zero.
Coaches retain or lose their jobs in this rivalry. Great players become legends and even sometimes, Heisman Trophy winners. The Game means everything to those in Columbus and Ann Arbor. Even if a team enters the matchup with a losing record, if it comes out on top against its rival, the season is deemed a success.
Saturday's matchup marks the 113th meeting all-time between the Buckeyes and Wolverines, and the 97th consecutive year the two have met between the lines. It also presents an opportunity for Urban Meyer's team to take back the lead in the series.
Sort of.
Ohio State joined the Big Ten in 1913. Michigan did the same four years later. In 1918, the two began meeting annually, typically at the end of the regular season. Since that year, both squads have left the field victorious the exact number of times they've left it in defeat. The all-time series line since it became a Big Ten affair is 46-46-2.
The last time Ohio State led the series since it became a Big Ten contest was in 1920, when it won its second of three straight following a 1918 loss to the Wolverines.
Overall, the Wolverines lead the matchup 58-46-6, winning 12 of the first 14 games. The other two games prior to 1918? Ties, in 1900 (0-0) and 1910 (3-3). The Buckeyes would have 47 total victories in the matchup, but lost a successful outcome from the NCAA sanctioned and vacated 2010 season.
"The rivalry game, on the horizon, one that we all take extremely serious around here," Meyer said Monday. "One that we cherish to be a part of."
Saturday, the Buckeyes must shove an ugly home loss to Michigan State behind them in order to have a chance at beating new Wolverine coach Jim Harbaugh when they head to Ann Arbor.
Meyer is 3-0 against Michigan since taking over in Columbus prior to the 2012 season, but the Wolverines have been revived under their new coach. The Buckeyes are 10-1 and Michigan is 9-2, both needing a win Saturday to keep their chances at winning the Big Ten East alive. Ohio State's won 12 of the rivalry's last 15 meetings, counting the 37-7 vacated win in 2010.
"Not an individual accomplishment by any means," Harbaugh said Monday of his team's turnaround this season. "It's a team accomplishment."
It'll be a team accomplishment when the outcome is decided Saturday at Michigan Stadium and when all is said and done, we'll have a new leader in the series since it became a Big Ten battle.
"Beating Ohio State, that's our mindset," Harbaugh said.
The Buckeyes hold a lead in the scoring margin since Meyer took over, 110-90, winning all three games against teams coached by Brady Hoke. Hoke consistently brought in strong recruiting classes, but went just 1-3 against Ohio State. His lone win came in 2011 when the Buckeyes finished 6-7 amid the turmoil from Tattoo-gate.
Meyer, though, sees why the program's experienced success this season: There are always good players at Michigan.
"The previous staff was excellent recruiters, and they are very good players up there," Meyer said. "When someone says, 'Are you surprised they have very good players up there?' Not at all. For those of you who have been covering this game, just check out the last few games we've played them. I mean, it is just swinging as hard as you possibly can against very good players."
Expect a similar affair Saturday, with the winner reclaiming supremacy in the matchup since it became a Big Ten battle 97 years ago.
