Saturday marks the 113th edition of The Game, college football's greatest rivalry. The series dates from 1897 and has given fans on each side more than their share of memories.
Some of the all-time great games include the 1950 Snow Bowl, Bo Schembechler's debut win in 1969, Earle Bruce's final game in 1987, Gordon Gee's "win" in 1992, David Boston's and Charles Woodson's grudge match in 1997 and Anthony Gonzalez's catch in 2005.
Today, we take a look at 10 of Ohio State's greatest victories against Michigan in Ohio Stadium. Apologies to the games mentioned above, but only Buckeye teams that won in the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium are eligible for this list.
10. Francis Schmidt's Dominant Introduction (1934)
A precursor to Mirror Lake Jump? Photo: Ohio State University Archives
1934: Ohio State 34, Michigan 0
In 1934, The Buckeyes dominated the scoreboard and just about every stat that mattered as they put up 460 total yards to Michigan's 40, in a 34-0 drubbing.
Why it's important: This game marked the start of the Captain's Breakfast and players receiving gold pants charms for defeating Michigan – both traditions continue that continue to this day. The pants were a charm as Schmidt started his Ohio State career with four shutouts against the Wolverines.
9. Woody Hayes Gets his First win Against Michigan (1952)
The official game program from the 1952 edition of The Game. Photo: Ohio State Univers
1952: Ohio State 27, Michigan 7
In 1952, Hayes was in his second year as Ohio State's head coach and entered this contest with a 9–6–2 overall record. Rumors were swirling that Hayes could be on his way out if the team played poorly.
The Buckeyes' inspired defense forced eight Michigan turnovers and Fred Bruney set an Ohio State record with three first-half interceptions. The 27-7 victory over the 12th ranked Wolverines kept Bennie Oosterbaan's heavily favored team from winning the Big Ten and playing in the Rose Bowl.
Why it's important: This was Ohio State's first win against the Wolverines in eight years. The commanding victory quieted Hayes' doubters and paved the way for his historic career.
8. Tom Klaban Kicks Ohio State to a Victory (1974)
1974: Ohio State 12, Michigan 10
In 1973, The Game ended in a 10-10 tie after the Wolverines' Mike Lantry missed two field goals in the final minutes. In a cruel twist of fate, kickers played a role at the end of the game the following season – in a very familiar way.
Ohio State was unable to record a touchdown in 1974, but Tom Klaban made four field goals to give the Buckeyes a 12-10 lead. With 16 seconds on the clock Lantry had a chance to redeem himself for his misses in '73. This time, his kick missed to the left and the Buckeyes escaped with a 2-point victory.
Why it's important: This was Hayes' last win over the Wolverines in Columbus. He finished his career with a 9–5 record against Michigan in Ohio Stadium.
7. Revenge is a Dish Best Served on the Field (1970)
1970: Ohio State 20, Michigan 9
Bo Schembechler derailed Ohio State's back-to-back championship aspirations with a devastating 24-12 victory in 1969. After the defeat, Hayes installed a rug just outside of the locker room with the score against the Wolverines plastered on it.
The motivation worked as the undefeated and fifth-ranked Buckeyes defeated No. 4 and undefeated Michigan 20-9 in 1970.
Why it's important: This was Ohio State's first win in the Ten Year War and put Schembechler and the Wolverines on notice that Ohio State was still the best team in the Big Ten.
6. Urban Meyer Goes for Perfection (2012)
2012: Ohio State 26, Michigan 21
In 2011, Ohio State had its second losing season in 55 years and the Wolverines ended the Buckeyes' seven-game wining streak in the series. Adding salt to the wound, the NCAA banned the program from playing in a bowl game for the 2012 season.
Meyer and his team responded with an undefeated season in 2012 that was capped off with a 26-21 smash-mouth win over Brady Hoke's Michigan team. Carlos Hyde rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown against the No. 20 Wolverines.
Why it's important: The victory gave Ohio State its sixth undefeated and untied season and was the springboard for the Meyer era at Ohio State. It also reinforced the Buckeyes' dominance in the series.
5. Ohio State's First National Championship (1942)
The 1942 Ohio State football team. Photo: Ohio State University Archives
1942: Ohio State 21, Michigan 7
Paul Brown was in his second year as Ohio State's head coach in 1942 and his team entered The Game ranked fifth in the nation. A win over Fritz Crisler's No. 4 Wolverines would solidify the Buckeyes' reputation as one of the best teams in the country.
The Buckeyes were without halfbacks Tommy James, Bill Durtschi, Bobby Frye and Tom Cleary. However, team MVP Chuck Csuri, Les Horvath and Paul Sarringhaus stepped up in the 21-7 victory.
Why it's important: This was the last time Ohio State did not end the regular season against Michigan. The following week the Buckeyes defeated the Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks and claimed the football program's first national championship.
4. Troy Smith Makes his Mark (2004)
2004: Ohio State 37, Michigan 21
Lloyd Carr and Michigan beat a Jim Tressel-led Buckeye team for the first time in 2003. There was a sense that the Wolverines were on the verge of reclaiming their dominance of the late '80s and '90s.
In 2004, unranked Ohio State was a heavy underdog to seventh-ranked Michigan. This might have led to the conservative minded Tressel unleashing an unprecedented aerial assault on the Wolverines secondary. Troy Smith finished with 316 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Buckeyes won 37-21.
Why it's important: The unexpected blowout officially got the Michigan monkey off of the program's back and started a seven-game winning streak for Ohio State in the series. Since 2004, the Buckeyes are a program best 11-1 in The Game.
3. Super Sophomores Slay the Wolverines (1968)
1968: Ohio State 50, Michigan 14
Hayes' No. 2 Ohio State team was undefeated in 1968 as Bump Elliott led his fourth-ranked Wolverines onto the field for the final time.
Michigan received the opening kick and methodically marched down the field on a 17-play drive that resulted in a 7-0 lead. That would be the only highlight for the boys in blue as the Buckeyes outgained Michigan 421-140 on the ground and 50-14 on the scoreboard.
Why it's important: Following the 6–3 1967 season, fans were once again calling for Hayes to get fired. The resounding win over UM kept the undefeated season alive and Ohio State went on to claim the program's fifth national championship.
2. The Game of the Century (2006)
2006: Ohio State 42, Michigan 39
The 2006 meeting between Ohio State and Michigan marked the first time that the Buckeyes and Wolverines faced each other ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country. To add more drama to the contest, Bo Schembechler passed away the night before kickoff.
The Buckeyes trailed only once on this day after the Wolverines opened the game with an 80-yard drive that ended with a Mike Hart touchdown. From there, Ohio State scored 21 straight points and kept Michigan out of reach for the majority of the game.
Troy Smith finished with 316 passing yards and four touchdown passes as the Buckeyes won 42-39.
Why it's important: The win gave Ohio State its first outright Big Ten title since 1984. The victory was another notch toward the eventual resignation of Lloyd Carr. Michigan's program has not consistently won since Carr resigned at the end of the 2007 season.
1. Fiesta Time (2002)
2002: Ohio State 14, Michigan 9
Heading into the 2002 edition of The Game, Ohio State was playing for a Big Ten title and a chance to face the vaunted Miami Hurricanes in the national championship. Fans of the Buckeyes entered this contest with trepidation as Michigan had crushed Big Ten title hopes and national championship dreams several times in the 1990s.
Not on this day. The play of Maurice Clarett and Ohio State's defense secured a 14-9 victory and changed the course of the series.
Why it's important: The win gave Ohio State the opportunity to face Miami in the 2003 BCS National Championship. The Buckeyes won the school's first national championship since 1968 and propelled the program to its recent run of dominance against Michigan.
