I grew up in Ohio, which means two things: I love Cedar Point, and I hate the colors blue and maize together. Football has always been a valid excuse to not show up to any plans or events my family is invited to. Or if any plans truly are mandatory, you already know my dad will be watching the football game on his phone. But if it’s “The Game,” the importance of watching this game is on a whole new level. The whole day and even the whole week revolve around this Saturday Night Live.

It’s not just my family who takes this rivalry this seriously. For The Ohio State University (OSU), there are many traditions that take place during rivalry week. According to The Lantern, no sign is safe; every “M” on campus is crossed out with a red tape “X.” Even the utterance of “Michigan” is taboo. It’s better to say “ichigan” or “the team up North (TTUN).”

Deepening the meaning of this rivalry, Michigan-beating Buckeye players receive a gold pants charm to symbolize Michigan’s yellow pants. 

The University of Michigan does not have any serious traditions similar to OSU, but “The Game” is no doubt still important to them. 

The importance of this game was clearly shown during the 2025 matchup this past weekend on Nov. 29. During this game, there were five total flags thrown for unsportsmanlike conduct. Two of them were off-setting, meaning both teams committed fouls, so no yards were gained or lost. But still, this many flags for unsportsmanlike conduct shows how competitive and emotional this rivalry is.

One of the three flags that didn’t cancel out was from Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham for headbutting an official. Another one was from Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun for taking off his helmet while celebrating catching an interception. Also from Ohio State, after running in a 35-yard touchdown, wide receiver Jerimiah Smith was seen flipping off Michigan fans. There was no flag thrown for Smith’s action during the game, but the photo is spreading across social media, and Buckeye fans are loving Smith’s competitiveness. 

Obviously, the intensity and emotion of this rivalry are always at a peak, and it’s not only during the game. After the game ended with a Buckeye victory of 27-9, according to Sports Illustrated, Michigan players remained on the field and guarded the “M,” arguably better than they guarded their endzones the whole game. They were ensuring no flag from the winning team could be planted, as it was during last year’s matchup. During the 2024 matchup, which the Wolverines won, Michigan players planted a Wolverines flag on the Buckeyes’ logo at midfield. This even led to a fight so unstoppable between the two teams that police officers had to use pepper spray on players.

The intensity of this rivalry has not only existed recently. According to Battlefields.org, this rivalry dates back to an 1835 land dispute turned violent, known as The War of Toledo. From 1835 to 1836, both militias were in conflict over a strip of what is today Ohio, from Toledo to the Indiana state line. President Andrew Jackson ended up intervening and working out a compromise. Ohio took that strip of land and, in exchange, Michigan occupied what today is the Upper Peninsula. 

Most rivalries spark from insignificant reasons, like proximity. But the OSU and Michigan rivalry is heralded, has the most passionate fan base and players, and is so superior that  it is even referred to as “The Game.” Other college football rivalries, such as Navy vs. Army or Alabama vs. Auburn, are also notable and rooted in an event in history, but nothing as significant and unique as The War of Toledo. 

The 2024 matchup between OSU and Michigan had a total of over 19 million viewers. According to SportsMediaWatch.com, this was the most-watched regular-season game since 2011.

Ohio State and Michigan fans don’t agree on a lot. But we most certainly can agree that our rivalry is the undisputed greatest of college football rivalries.