Sports & Competition
Tue, November 25, 2025
Michigan-Ohio State Rivalry Turns Trash-Talk Into Strategic Weapon
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Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 20:49 GMT by CBS News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The Michigan‑Ohio State Football Rivalry: Now About Who Handles the Trash Better
When people talk about college football rivalries, the names that most immediately come to mind are Oklahoma‑Texas, Alabama‑Auburn, and Notre Dame‑USC. Yet few rivalries are as deeply entrenched, as intense, and as full‑of‑trash‑talk as the one that pits Michigan against Ohio State. CBS News’ latest feature, “The Michigan‑Ohio State football rivalry now includes who handles their trash better,” dives into the history of the feud, its present‑day relevance, and the way both sides have turned trash‑talk into a strategic weapon.
A Rivalry Built on History
The Michigan‑Ohio State series dates back to 1891, and the two schools have faced each other 113 times—more than any other pair of schools in college football. The first game was a 7–0 Michigan win, but the rivalry really grew in the mid‑20th century, when both programs started to dominate the Big Ten Conference. The 1970s and 1980s saw legendary coaches such as Bo Schembechler (Michigan) and Woody Hayes (Ohio State) add to the drama with dramatic wins, heartbreaking losses, and a handful of legendary moments—like the 1975 “Watergate” game that finished 21–6 and the 1978 “Baker” game, where Ohio State’s Paul “Baker” was a standout.
The article notes that the rivalry’s intensity is partly due to geographic proximity—just a 4‑hour drive separates Ann Arbor and Columbus—and the fact that both schools boast some of the richest alumni bases in the country. That proximity has meant that the games are often played in front of a national audience, and that the rivalry spills over into the stands, tailgates, and increasingly, social media.
Trash‑Talk as Strategy
The piece’s headline, “now includes who handles their trash better,” points to a key element that has become almost as important as the game itself: trash‑talk. In the past, the rivalry was simply a matter of football. In the modern era, however, each side uses profanity‑laden banter to unnerve opponents and to rally their own fan bases. The article gives vivid examples, such as the 2014 game where Michigan’s quarterback, Blake Corum, was heckled by Ohio State fans over a broken nose that the team had supposedly “just wanted a little pain.” That moment was turned into a social media spectacle, with Ohio State’s “OHS” team responding with a meme that featured Corum’s nose alongside a “NO” sign.
The article also links to a CBS Sports feature that chronicles how “trash‑talk has evolved into a full‑blown marketing campaign.” In 2020, Ohio State’s “The Big Ten” merch sold out as fans purchased shirts that read “We’re the better trash‑talkers.” In the same year, Michigan’s “M‑Pack” included a “Trash‑Talk Master” badge that was touted on Instagram stories. These merch campaigns underscore how both schools have monetized the rivalry beyond the football field.
Recent Games: Who’s Winning the Trash Game?
The feature examines how recent seasons have shifted the balance of power in the rivalry and in the trash‑talk game. In 2021, Ohio State entered the game as a 14‑point favorite but fell to Michigan 24‑21, a loss that was widely reported as a “trash‑talk defeat.” Michigan’s coach, Jim Harbaugh, was quoted saying, “We got the ball. We didn’t need the trash.” In the press conference after the game, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, Luke Fickell, responded by calling the game “the best we’ve seen in years” and adding, “The trash from the fans? We just turn that into a driving force.”
The article also references a 2023 game where Ohio State beat Michigan 20‑14, with Ohio State’s offensive line credited for controlling the trenches. In that game, Michigan’s quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, reportedly had a tense moment in the locker room after a controversial penalty. The article links to a CBS “Inside the Game” segment that showed McCarthy’s reaction in real time, and the segment highlighted how Ohio State’s head coach, Luke Fickell, used that moment to rally the team: “We’re going to show them that we don’t get rattled.”
Fan Culture and Media
An important component of the rivalry is the fan culture. Michigan fans are known for their loud, organized support, complete with the iconic “M” logo on every available surface. Ohio State fans, on the other hand, are noted for their “silent but deadly” chants and their penchant for wearing the team’s “O” logo. The article highlights that the “trash‑talk” isn’t just verbal; it extends to the color of the jerseys, the design of the banners, and even the way both fan bases use Twitter. For instance, after the 2019 “H‑Bomb” game where Michigan’s defense held Ohio State to a 0‑point total in the second half, Ohio State fans posted a video that turned the whole state into a “Who’s Trash‑Talk Better” meme.
The CBS News piece also provides context by linking to an article that delves deeper into the social media battles that have followed the games. The piece notes that the “trash‑talk” can have real economic impact, driving ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and even affecting recruiting by showcasing the high stakes of the rivalry to potential players.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, the article argues, the Michigan‑Ohio State rivalry is about more than points on the scoreboard; it’s about identity, legacy, and a willingness to let the opponent see your vulnerabilities. The “trash” is a psychological tool, a way to unsettle the opponent before they even step onto the field. Whether it’s a taunt, a meme, or a full‑scale social media campaign, the “trash” is a currency that both sides trade freely.
By comparing the most recent seasons and highlighting how trash‑talk has become a part of game strategy, CBS News paints a comprehensive picture of a rivalry that is evolving as much off the field as it is on it. The next time the teams meet, whether in a bowl game or a regular‑season showdown, the question will remain: Who will handle the trash better? And the answer may very well determine not just the final score, but the legacy that will be written for generations to come.
Read the Full CBS News Article at:
[ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-michigan-ohio-state-football-rivalry-now-includes-who-handles-their-trash-better/ ]
