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Ohio State vs. Michigan: 109 Meetings, 52-49-8 Series, 16-Game Winning Streak

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By the Numbers: A Snapshot of College Football’s Most Historic Rivalries

When you think of college football, the first thing that often comes to mind is the roar of the crowd, the leather‑headed mascots, and the high‑stakes of a bowl game. But for many teams, the most defining moments have happened in front of a home‑crowd, a field of muddy grass, and a rival who has haunted the team’s playbooks for decades. Fansided’s in‑depth piece “By the Numbers: College Football’s Most Historic Rivalries” takes a data‑driven look at the sport’s most storied showdowns, pulling out the raw stats that explain why these matchups endure in the national imagination.

The Core Metrics

At the heart of the article are three core statistics for each rivalry:

  1. Number of Meetings – How many times the two schools have faced each other.
  2. Series Record – The win–loss–tie tally that tells which team has historically dominated.
  3. Key Highlights – The longest winning streak, biggest margin of victory, and the most recent game’s result.

By lining up the numbers side‑by‑side, Fansided gives readers a clear picture of who the real powerhouses are and where the narrative has shifted over the years.


1. Ohio State vs. Michigan

  • Meetings: 109
  • Series Record: Ohio State leads 52–49–8
  • Longest Streak: Ohio State 16 consecutive wins (2002–2017)
  • Biggest Margin: Ohio State 42–0 (1920)

The “Big Ten’s” flagship matchup has more than a century of history. Ohio State’s early 1920s domination set the tone, while the 1990s saw a shift with Michigan clawing back, culminating in a 2004 win that broke Ohio State’s 15‑game streak. Even in recent years, the rivalry remains fiercely contested, with the 2021 season producing a 40‑24 upset that sent fans across the nation into a frenzy.


2. Alabama vs. Auburn – The Iron Bowl

  • Meetings: 94
  • Series Record: Alabama leads 50–39–5
  • Longest Streak: Alabama 9 consecutive wins (2015–2023)
  • Biggest Margin: Alabama 62–0 (1948)

A “trophy” rivalry without an official cup (the term “Iron Bowl” itself comes from the early 1940s when both teams were heavily involved in the war effort), the Alabama–Auburn matchup has seen the Tide’s 2009 national championship run punctuated by 19‑game winning streaks, while Auburn’s 2018 34‑0 shutout proved that the Tigers could still upset the Crimson Tide. The article underscores how Alabama’s 2022 season, ending with a 33‑17 win at the Iron Bowl, further cemented its dominance in the series.


3. Clemson vs. South Carolina – The Deep South’s Rivalry

  • Meetings: 96
  • Series Record: Clemson leads 64–31–1
  • Longest Streak: Clemson 11 consecutive wins (2007–2018)
  • Biggest Margin: Clemson 66–7 (2017)

This rivalry, known as “The Deep South’s Rivalry,” features a mix of competitive play and fan‑inspired antics. The 2017 game, where Clemson’s 66‑point explosion remains the most lopsided victory, was a watershed moment that propelled Clemson into a national championship season. Fansided also highlights how the “Carolina Cup,” the trophy exchanged each year, has become a symbol of state pride.


4. Georgia vs. Georgia Tech

  • Meetings: 120
  • Series Record: Georgia leads 84–31–5
  • Longest Streak: Georgia 24 consecutive wins (2011–2024)
  • Biggest Margin: Georgia 61–0 (1970)

This intra‑state rivalry has deep roots, with the first game played in 1892. Georgia’s dominance in recent decades is clear, especially the 2019 42‑21 victory that capped a 15‑game winning streak. The article notes that the rivalry has also seen a significant shift in play style, with Georgia Tech’s “Red and Gold” offense giving way to a defensive juggernaut in the 2000s.


5. Notre Dame vs. USC

  • Meetings: 71
  • Series Record: Notre Dame leads 43–23–5
  • Longest Streak: Notre Dame 8 consecutive wins (2012–2019)
  • Biggest Margin: Notre Dame 50–0 (2006)

This West Coast classic has been a staple of college football’s national championship discussions. The article’s data reveal Notre Dame’s early 20th‑century dominance and USC’s resurgence in the 2000s, including the 2008 42‑14 victory that sparked a national title run. The rivalry’s most recent game in 2023 saw USC win 34‑17, reigniting debate over which program is on the cusp of greatness.


6. Texas vs. Texas A&M – The Lone Star Showdown

  • Meetings: 93
  • Series Record: Texas leads 57–34–2
  • Longest Streak: Texas 17 consecutive wins (1976–1992)
  • Biggest Margin: Texas 70–10 (1947)

This in‑state rivalry has become a cultural touchstone for Texas. Fansided’s stats highlight how Texas’s 1970s and 1980s dominance was interrupted in the 1990s by a series of close contests that kept both fanbases on edge. The 2020 season’s 42‑21 win by Texas not only broke a three‑game losing streak but also restored some of the rivalry’s former luster.


7. Oklahoma vs. Texas – The Red River Rivalry

  • Meetings: 96
  • Series Record: Oklahoma leads 51–43–2
  • Longest Streak: Oklahoma 14 consecutive wins (2010–2023)
  • Biggest Margin: Oklahoma 73–14 (1940)

While the Red River Showdown is often associated with bowl‑game spectacle, the data reveal a rivalry steeped in tradition. The article shows that Oklahoma’s 2022 51‑14 win at Texas marked a turning point, extending their longest streak and putting pressure on Texas to reclaim the dominance they once held in the 1990s.


8. Clemson vs. Notre Dame – A National Rivalry

  • Meetings: 8
  • Series Record: Clemson leads 5–3
  • Longest Streak: Clemson 3 consecutive wins (2020–2022)
  • Biggest Margin: Clemson 34–21 (2021)

While not as long‑standing as other matchups, Clemson’s recent rivalry with Notre Dame has become a national talking point. Fansided’s numbers illustrate how Clemson’s offensive prowess has translated into quick wins, especially the 2022 41‑14 victory that propelled the Tigers to a national title game.


Why Numbers Matter

What fansided’s article does brilliantly is use the raw numbers to illustrate the narrative arc of each rivalry. By seeing that the Alabama–Auburn Iron Bowl saw a 62‑point blowout in 1948, readers can understand how the rivalry has fluctuated from blowouts to close, nail‑biter games over the decades. Similarly, the 2004 Michigan win over Ohio State, which snapped Ohio State’s 15‑game streak, can be understood in the context of the 109‑game series.

These statistics also highlight how some rivalries have maintained a relatively even split (e.g., Notre Dame vs. USC), while others have seen one side overwhelmingly dominate (e.g., Clemson vs. South Carolina). In each case, the numbers provide a lens through which to view the evolving strategies, coaching philosophies, and recruiting battles that shape the game.


Final Takeaway

Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or a casual observer, the numbers behind these rivalries add layers of depth to the emotional and cultural significance they hold. Fansided’s article serves not only as a reference for trivia enthusiasts but also as an analytical guide to understanding why these matchups have endured. By putting the raw statistics in context, the piece reminds us that college football’s biggest stories are written on the field, but they are also quantified in the margins and the annals of record books.


Read the Full FanSided Article at:
[ https://fansided.com/ncaaf/by-the-numbers-college-football-most-historic-rivalries ]