The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman ranked the top 100 college football rivalries this week. The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes claimed the No. 1 spot.
The choice reflects what many consider college football’s defining characteristic compared to the NFL – the intense rivalries between schools.
“Arguably, Michigan-Ohio State football is the greatest rivalry in American sports. It unquestionably holds that status in college athletics. Their co-dependence deepens the intensity, both in victory and in defeat. There’s history from the territorial conflict over Toledo in 1835-36 that led to Ohioans referring to Michiganders as ‘Wolverines.’ There’s proximity, prominence, moments, stakes, frequency and longevity. There is nothing like it.”
The numbers back up the ranking.
Michigan and Ohio State have played in 49 ranked matchups, 26 top-10 contests and 13 top-5 battles.
According to The Athletic, Michigan leads 23-22-4 in top-25 games. The teams are tied in top-10 matchups at 12-12-2. Ohio State holds a 7-5-1 advantage in top-five contests.
The two programs have combined for 21 national titles in their histories. Michigan claims 12 championships while Ohio State has nine.
They’ve also produced 10 Heisman Trophy winners between them. Ohio State leads that count 7-3.
Recent Chapter Adds New Twist
Last year’s game provided a unique chapter in the rivalry’s history.
Unranked Michigan shocked then-top-10 Ohio State with an upset victory. The Buckeyes used that loss as motivation for their national championship run, claiming it helped them refocus for a dominant postseason.
Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has vowed to never lose to Michigan again during his college career.
Smith captured the rivalry’s intensity perfectly for both sides.
“I just hate them,” he said.
