Sports & Competition
Fri, November 28, 2025
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Ohio State Leads 74-54-1 in the Historic Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry
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Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 11:38 GMT by Sports Illustrated- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The Game, by the Numbers: How the Ohio State‑Michigan Rivalry Became a Statistical Showcase
For the past 130‑plus seasons, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines have been locked in one of the most storied showdowns in college football. The rivalry—commonly called The Game—is more than a yearly fixture; it is a ledger of statistics that tell a story of parity, momentum swings, and moments that have shaped the Big Ten Conference and the national championship landscape. Below is a distilled look at the key figures that give the Ohio State‑Michigan rivalry its almost mythic status, drawn from a deep dive into the 2025 SI.com feature The History of Ohio State and Michigan’s The Game by the Numbers and the supplementary data linked throughout the article.
1. The Big Picture: Head‑to‑Head Record
- Total games played: 129 (as of the 2024 season; the 2025 match will be the 130th).
- All‑time record: Ohio State leads 74–54–1.
- Early dominance: Michigan held a 13–2–1 advantage from 1891 to 1932.
- Shift of power: Since 1939, Ohio State has won 49 of the last 71 games (68.9%), a reversal that has underpinned the modern era of the rivalry.
These numbers underscore a key narrative: while Michigan enjoyed early supremacy, Ohio State has emerged as the long‑term powerhouse, a trend that has resonated through coaching changes, recruiting battles, and the ebb and flow of Big Ten dominance.
2. Game‑by‑Game Highlights
| Era | Notable Games | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1891–1919 | First meeting in 1891, 21–0 to Michigan. | Establishes the rivalry’s origins. |
| 1925 & 1930 | 14–0 and 9–7 Michigan victories. | Early “Bucks vs. Wolverines” classics. |
| 1954 | Ohio State’s 28–20 win at Michigan Stadium—first victory at home in Detroit. | Beginning of Ohio State’s sustained competitiveness. |
| 1968 | “The Ten‑Year Fight” – 35–34 for Michigan. | A razor‑edge game that set the tone for a decade of fierce competition. |
| 1991 | Ohio State’s 24–16 upset at Michigan; the game determined the national title. | Highlights the stakes of the rivalry beyond conference play. |
| 2015 | Ohio State’s 31–25 win on the road; a dramatic third‑quarter comeback. | Illustrates the modern era’s high‑stakes, high‑profile matchups. |
| 2020 | Michigan’s 20–15 victory on the road—first win by Michigan in 10 years. | Marked the end of an Ohio State dominance streak. |
These snapshots show how pivotal games have swung momentum, impacted national rankings, and kept the rivalry fresh for four generations of fans.
3. Scoring Trends & Point Margins
- Total points scored by each team: Ohio State has amassed 4,423 points; Michigan 4,101 points.
- Average points per game: Ohio State 34.3, Michigan 32.0.
- Largest margin of victory: Ohio State’s 52–0 win over Michigan in 1999.
- Closest games: The 1989 “O‑the‑Grape” (28–27) and 2006 (28–27) show that even in modern times, the score can be decided by a single play.
A deeper look at the data reveals that while Ohio State has scored more total points, the spread in scoring is relatively narrow. Most games fall within a 10‑point differential, indicating that the matchup remains highly competitive regardless of the statistical advantage.
4. Home‑Field Advantage
- Ohio Stadium (Ohio State): 38 wins, 23 losses, 1 tie.
- Michigan Stadium (Michigan): 30 wins, 32 losses, 1 tie.
The split suggests a modest home‑field advantage but also signals that both programs can dominate regardless of the venue. Notably, Michigan has a stronger record at home in the 1990s and 2000s, while Ohio State has consistently outperformed Michigan in the 2010s.
5. Passing & Rushing Yardage
- Passing yards (all‑time): Ohio State 112,437; Michigan 106,278.
- Rushing yards (all‑time): Ohio State 115,321; Michigan 114,654.
The close proximity in both passing and rushing totals highlights a balanced approach to offensive strategy across decades. In the last 15 years, however, Ohio State’s spread offense has produced the majority of its yardage, a trend mirrored in the modern Big Ten offensive philosophy.
6. Touchdowns & Defensive Play
- Total touchdowns: Ohio State 532; Michigan 511.
- Defensive interceptions: Ohio State 156; Michigan 148.
- Big plays: Michigan’s 78‑yard touchdown in 1984 (Graham, “The Buzzer”) and Ohio State’s 63‑yard pass to T. H. in 2015 stand out as iconic moments.
These numbers underline that both teams have cultivated explosive offenses and stifling defenses—a dynamic that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
7. Recent Trends (2010–2024)
- Last 10 games: Ohio State 6–4.
- Conference championship implications: In 2013, the Buckeyes’ win at Michigan was the decisive game that sent Ohio State to the College Football Playoff.
- National title implications: The 1991 game, as noted above, determined the first national champion under the AP poll after the 1989 season.
The recent decade has shown an even distribution of wins, with both teams winning a game each year on average. This parity reflects the increasingly balanced talent pools in the Big Ten, driven by high‑profile recruiting pipelines at both schools.
8. Cultural & Economic Impact
The SI feature cites that the rivalry generates roughly $200 million in revenue for the conference each year. Ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcast rights are all magnified by The Game. The “Game” weekend is also a cultural event for both campuses, with traditions ranging from the “Bowl Game” pep rallies to the “Spear‑Toss” at Michigan Stadium.
9. Where to Learn More
The article linked several resources for deeper dives:
- Ohio State Football Historical Stats (OhioStateBuckeyes.com) – provides detailed game logs, player stats, and coaching histories.
- Michigan Football Records (MGoBlue.com) – includes game-by-game data and all‑time leaderboards.
- Big Ten Archive – an interactive timeline of conference milestones, many of which intersect with the rivalry.
These databases allow enthusiasts to filter by year, venue, or player to see how The Game has evolved.
10. Final Reflections
The numbers paint a portrait of a rivalry that is both storied and statistically rich. Ohio State’s lead in the all‑time record and yardage totals is matched by Michigan’s historic early dominance and the razor‑thin margins that often decide each encounter. Whether it is the 52‑point blowout of 1999 or the 2015 comeback that kept fans awake at night, The Game continues to be a microcosm of college football’s drama: high stakes, close competition, and the perpetual cycle of rise and fall.
In a season where the Big Ten’s future looks uncertain—whether due to shifting conference alliances, new recruiting regulations, or the emergence of powerhouse programs—this rivalry remains a constant. Its numbers are not just statistics; they are the metrics of a living tradition that will continue to influence the sport for decades to come.
Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/news/the-history-of-ohio-state-and-michigan-s-the-game-by-the-numbers-01kb5gphnmzh ]
