The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is more than just a football game.  

The conflict between these two states dates back well before the first football game was ever even played between the two schools in 1897.  

In 1836, the State of Ohio beat the State of Michigan in what is now called the “Toledo War.” The two states fought over the strip of land that includes Toledo. In that war, the Ohioans disparaged the Michiganders by calling them Wolverines, and the name stuck.

Fast forward to Nov. 24, 2018. The Buckeyes of Ohio State defeated the Wolverines of Michigan, just like in 1836.

This time the Buckeyes came out on top 62-39 in an offensive showcase by both teams.  Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins threw five touchdown passes, leading the Buckeyes to move up to No. 6 in the college rankings. Because of the loss, Michigan fell four spots to No. 8.  

Beachwood junior Max Steiger, a Michigan fan who attended the game in the enemy territory, was disappointed.

“It made me sad because Michigan was hyped up to win for the first time in a while,” he said. “They came into the game with the number one defense in the country, but did not live up to the hype.”

“The Ohio State crowd was so loud, it overwhelmed us Michigan fans,” he added. “My dad and I were silenced every time Ohio State made a big play. Overall, it was not the brightest day to be a Michigan fan.”

The noise from the Ohio State fans was loud from the get-go and never let up. Every play was energized by the passion of the Ohio State fans.  And at the end of the game, thousands of Buckeye fans ran onto the field to celebrate the victory.

The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is intense,  It’s been intense for many, many years. And there are no signs this rivalry is slowing down any time soon.  

Since 1897, Ohio State and Michigan have played each other in football 115 times. Michigan has won 58 of the games to Ohio State’s 56. But Michigan has lost to Ohio State the last seven consecutive years.

Last week, BHS senior Matt Hardy was confident Ohio State would come out on top this year.  

“It will be a tough game because Michigan is the 4th seed,” he said. “It will be big for Ohio State to upset Michigan.”

Having beat Michigan, the Buckeyes are now in a good position to make the playoffs. But they also have to win the rest of their games.

Two BHS teachers whose classrooms are immediately next to each other have great interest in this football rivalry. Science teacher Alex Paulchell is an alumnus of Ohio State and fellow science teacher Lisa Bugenske is a Michigan alum.

“The rivalry is fun,” Bugenske said. “I’m not afraid to say ‘Go Blue!’  And it’s interesting that Michigan fans find each other. I love having fun with the kids when it comes to the rivalry.”  

Before the game, Bugenske was confident that the Michigan defense could make the difference.

“If their defense continues to step up, and if they don’t turn the ball over, we will get the Big W.”

This year’s game was played at Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes home field advantage.

Paulchell remembers the exciting atmosphere on the Ohio State campus the week before the big game and especially during the game.

“The Mirror Lake jump was a huge build-up to the game,” he said. “Everyone was displaying school spirit. They covered up all the letter Ms on campus. The game was absolute madness. I’m proud to be an alum because it is so hard to get into nowadays, it makes me proud.”  

BHS Junior James Flowers was rooting for OSU.

“In my lifetime, it’s been lopsided towards Ohio State, and they have dominated Michigan,” he said. “And I really don’t have that much respect for the team up north.”

The Michigan Wolverines’ season is over, but the Buckeyes of Ohio State look to face off against the Wildcats of Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship game this upcoming Saturday. If Ohio State wins that game, they could possibly advance to the College Football Playoff.