Ohio's victory in getting the Toledo Strip may have been remembered by both sides in 1897, when OSU and the University of Michigan first faced off on the football field in Ann Arbor. Michigan was victorious in that first game, winning 34-0.
In fact, Michigan was victorious for the next 15 years. A look at the history of the OSU/Michigan football games shows Michigan won 58 times; OSU has been victorious in only 37 games, with five ties. Most rivalries are more or less 50/50 in terms of wins and losses. The game alternates annually between Columbus and Ann Arbor, but the statistics show Michigan more victorious at home and in Ohio Stadium.
But the book One Game Season: Ohio State vs. Michigan says the "Big Game" is much more than just winning:
The 'Big Game' has decided the Big Ten championship 32 times since the contest was moved to the last Saturday in the season in 1935; on 18 of those occasions, Michigan and Ohio State settled the title between themselves. The throne atop the Big Ten, as well as a trip to the Rose Bowl, is usually the reward for a victory in this contest. One Game Season, p. 356
With Ohio State University known nationally as the college football capital, it's no wonder people in Central Ohio follow the Bucks with such intensity. After all, when you're named after a killer nut you have to be good. But as Coach John Cooper once said, "You can have a good season if you win the rest of your games...but you can't have a great season unless you beat Michigan." Losing to Michigan is unforgivable. Does this unforgiveness stretch back to the birth of Ohio, when we had to fight for land we thought Michigan was trying to steal? No one seems to know for sure. But "The Big Game" might just be the annual replay of the Toledo War.
The war continues on the Web with these Michigan sucks sites:
Top Eleven Michigan Fight Songs--Amuse yourself at the next Michigan game with these alternative lyrics that would make "Weird Al" blush.
Muck Fichigan--T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more you can buy online for that "Michigan Sucks" fan.
Rival Fanatics--Mostly Michigan jokes, with a few about Indiana thrown in for fun.
