Michigan and Ohio State just played their 120th game against each other on November 30th, 2024, which ended in a pepper spray battle after Michigan tried planting their flag on the Ohio State field. Flag planting is a tradition that is centuries old. It originated from different militaries planting their flag after winning a battle. Many college football teams do this after winning against their rivals. Michigan beat Ohio State 13-10, and as a result, attempted to plant their flag in the center of the Ohio State field. Ohio State was not happy about this and decided to fight back. This ended in a huge battle that caused multiple players to get pepper sprayed. What led up to this rampage? A 137-year rivalry between the two teams who hate each other most.
These two teams have been rivals since their very first game, but why? Why do these teams hate each other so much? The answer is more than just close proximity like many other rivalries. It was the War of Toledo. From 1835-1836, Michigan and Ohio had a land dispute that threatened a civil war between the state of Ohio and Michigan, which was just a territory at the time. Both states wanted the city of Toledo. This was due to its location. It was on the Maumee River, which was a trade route. In the end, Ohio was given Toledo, and Michigan was offered the Upper Peninsula.
About 60 years post-war, the first game between the rivals was held on October 16, 1897 , where Michigan won 34-0. They have played every year (excluding the pandemic) since 1918, which accounts for 120 games played between the two teams. The Michigan vs. Ohio State game is most commonly referred to as “The Game” because neither team wants to say the other’s name. “The Game” is the most important match in each team’s season. It is the thing they work hardest for, especially Ohio State, since they have lost the last four years, which makes the all-time record 62-51-6, with Michigan leading.
Whoever has the honor of coaching these teams makes it their mission to beat the other. “It’s all about our preparation for Ohio. The days, the minutes, the hours, everything leading up to this game. That’s where our focus is,” said Jim Harbaugh, former Michigan coach.
The coaches and players aren’t the only people who get heated over this match up. Fans of the two teams hate the opposing team just as much as the players do. When Michigan fans talk about Ohio State they cross out the letter “O,” and Ohio State fans do the same with the letter “M.” Some even go as far as to cross letters out on billboards and plaques because of their hatred for the other team.
Everyone involved in this rivalry is clearly very passionate about it. It is rivalries and games like these that keep football interesting. It gives fans and players something to look forward to every year and will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
Works Cited:
- Dodd, D. (2024, November 30). Planted flags and pepper spray: Ohio State talks big but folds again vs. Michigan in embarrassing scene. CBS Sports. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/planted-flags-and-pepper-spray-ohio-state-talks-big-but-folds-again-vs-michigan-in-embarrassing-scene/
- Jenkins, K., & Kennedy, A. (2024, December 14). College football rivalries to know: History, stats, more. ESPN. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40908516/college-football-rivalries-know-history-stats-more
- Ohio State vs. Michigan: The Game series history, scores, notable games. (n.d.). Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football/ohio-state-michigan-football-the-game-history-scores-games
- The Toledo War. (n.d.). Michiganology. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://michiganology.org/stories/the-toledo-war/
