Michigan University and Ohio State University have what many argue is the biggest rivalry in college football. So much so that the matchup between the two is simply called “The Game.” The first rendition of The Game was played in 1897, and the feud has only grown since. Recently, The Game has taken place the Saturday after Thanksgiving, known as rivalry weekend. This year’s matchup was as big as ever, with the Ohio State Buckeyes being ranked number two and the Michigan Wolverines number three in the College Football Playoff (CFP) poll, with the winner punching their ticket to the Big 10 championship and likely a spot in the playoffs. 

There was plenty of controversy leading up to The Game this year. At the beginning of the season, as reported by the Detroit Free Press, Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended three games by Michigan as a result of an NCAA investigation into recruitment violations during the COVID-19 dead period. Then, on Nov. 10, the Big 10 announced they would suspend Harbaugh for the remainder of the regular season (three games), due to the NCAA investigation into advanced scouting and sign stealing. Therefore, Harbaugh was not allowed to be on the sidelines during this crucial game, and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore would be the acting head coach. 

This year’s game occurred in Ann Arbor, Mich., with the Wolverines being favored by three points. Michigan was the first to get on the scoreboard with a touchdown after an interception that put Michigan on Ohio State’s seven-yard line. From that point forward, Michigan had control of the game. While the Buckeyes never trailed too far behind, even tying the game 17-17 in the third, they were never able to take the lead. An interception during their final drive sealed the game for Michigan, winning 30-24 and three straight against their biggest rival. 

For Michigan, this win means a ticket to the Big 10 championship game against No. 20 Iowa and a spot in the playoffs. Michigan defeated Iowa 26-0 and is the number-one team in the playoffs. For Ohio State, it means ruined playoff hopes and a three-game skid in The Game. Ohio State hasn’t lost three in a row to Michigan since the 1990s, and between 2000-2019, Ohio State went 16-3. It leaves many Ohio State fans lamenting over what happened to the two decades of dominance.

Other Rivalry Weekend Highlights

University of Alabama vs. Auburn University:

The Alabama and Auburn rivalry, better known as the Iron Bowl, is also one of the biggest rivalries in college football. This year, the game was played at Auburn, with Alabama fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. This year’s Iron Bowl was the tenth anniversary of one of the most legendary moments in college football, the Kick Six. The Kick Six was referred to when Auburn returned a missed field goal for a touchdown to win the game during the 78th Iron Bowl in 2013. Auburn hoped to relive that moment by beating Alabama and ruining their playoff hopes. In the fourth quarter, with Alabama down 27-24, Alabama fumbled the ball and got a penalty leading to fourth-and-31. With 32 seconds left to play, Jalen Milroe threw to the back of the endzone, and Isaiah Bond caught the ball to win the game for the Tide. Alabama faced the back-to-back national champions in one-seed Georgia in the SEC title game, winning 27-24 and punching their ticket to the playoffs as the fourth seed. 

University Washington vs. Washington State University:

Going into this game, four-seed Washington had their playoff hopes and their perfect season on the line. The Washington Huskies were favored to win the Apple Cup by 15.5 points. Still, they struggled, with Washington State responding to every point the Huskies scored. With five seconds left and the game tied at 21-21, Washington made a 42-yard field goal to win and keep their perfect season alive. Washington then beat Oregon 34-31 in the final PAC 12 Championship game to secure their spot as the second team in the playoffs.

Florida State University vs. University of Florida:

The undefeated Florida State Seminoles went to the swamp to play the Florida Gators in the Florida Cup. Without their star quarterback Jordan Travis, who broke his leg in the win against Northern Alabama the week prior, the Seminoles had a much tougher challenge. During the first quarter, the Gators were up 12-0 on the Seminoles and looked like they may ruin their rival’s perfect record. However, three touchdowns from running back Trey Benson was able to pull the Seminoles ahead of the Gators and win 24-15. Florida State beat Louisville in the ACC title game 16-6 with their third-string quarterback as their backup was injured during the Florida game. In a controversial decision, Florida State was left out of the playoffs, marking the first time an undefeated Power Five conference champion was left out of the playoffs.