Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry No More?
Big Ten Changes Put Buckeyes and Wolverines in Different Divisions
With the teams to be split into two six-team divisions in the 2011 season, a choice had to be made as to which rivalries should be preserved, and Ohio State and Michigan lost the coin toss. Rivals Michigan-Michigan State will remain in the same division, as will Iowa-Minnesota.
ESPN.com reports that a crossover game will still be played between rival teams now in different divisions, but it is not known at this time whether the crossover game will be the traditional final game of the season. An announcement is scheduled to be made at 7:00 pm eastern today, September 1, 2010.
Currently reported division lineups:
Division I
Michigan
Nebraska
Iowa
Michigan State
Northwestern
Minnesota
Division II
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin
Purdue
Indian
Illinois
The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry has continued for decades, with only a few years where the teams didn't hit the playing field. The Buckeyes and Wolverines have played alternately between Columbus and Ann Arbor since 1918, and has traditionally been the last game of the year since 1935. Michigan won the first game in 1897, stomping Ohio State 34-0. Of the 106 matchups, the Buckeyes fall short of the Wolverine's 57-43-6 record. Michigan also leads in both divisional and national championships, with 11 national titles to Ohio's 7 titles, and Big Ten titles of 42-34.
Not only out for blood on the field, the teams' rivalry also scored touchdowns for several charities over the years by holding Red Cross blood drives and collections for local food pantries. No doubt that rivalry will continue, regardless of divisional split.
Sources:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5519832
http://library.osu.edu/sites/archives/OSUvsMichigan/osuvsmichigan.htm
Published by Marie Anne St. Jean - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
A Top 1000 Content Producer for the last three years, Marie Anne is a retired U.S. Marine whose weapons of choice are now crochet hook and pen. When not writing for Yahoo! sites such as YCN! Voices, Sh... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentThis rivalry is immortal!
The game continues....
As long as they still play each other once a year, there will be war.
Great Article. I am from Ohio and I love the Buckeyes. I can tell you the rival still continues. Thanks for writing this story
Something will be missing from the season, that's for sure.
As a long time Mich fan it would be sad to not play the Buckeyes.
I wasn't aware of this strong rivalry. Nice work.
I think the rivalry is inbred and changing divisions will not change it but they need to continue the games on the second Saturday in November! (how's that for flexibility?)
You see this must happen because of the conflict between our Ohio roots and our "Michigan Fan" son in law. Peace will now reign.
I don't follow college sports, but I remember hearing this chant as a kid in elementary school: Oh how I hate Ohio State! I live in Michigan, of course. :)