Five Unforgettable Editions Of ‘The Game’
I’m sure you all have your own favorite editions of The Game but here are 5 classics that I enjoyed either watching live or reading about from the old days. Which ones did I miss or do you have personal experiences that make other versions more meaningful to you?
The King of Ann Arbor
2006: Ohio State 42, Michigan 39
This one’s gotta be #1. Billed as the latest Game Of The Century, the 2006 contest marked the first time ever that the teams came in ranked #1 and #2 in the country. The Game went to another level emotionally after Bo died suddenly on Friday and turned into an offensive explosion on Saturday as Troy Smith led OSU to a 42-39 victory.
Smith was unstoppable throwing for 316 and 4 TDs as the Buckeye offense rolled up 500 yards behind a barrage of big plays. Freshman Beanie Wells got loose for a 52 yard run, Teddy Ginn caught a 39 yard TD pass off some magical play action and Antonio Pittman scored on a 56 yard burst to send the Buckeyes to Glendale for a shot at the national title.
Boom goes the dynamite
1968: Ohio State 50, Michigan 14
I hadn’t been born yet but I distinctly remember being a Buckeye fan in my pre-life and enjoying this signature game from a Buckeye perspective. The #1 ranked Buckeyes welcomed the #4 Wolverines to the Horseshoe and led just 21-14 at the half before Woody’s Super Sophomore’s outscored Michigan 29-0 in the second behind Jim Otis’ 4 TDs. The offense rushed for a gaudy 421 yards and attempted only 9 passes. The demolition gave OSU a berth in the Rose Bowl where the Buckeyes defeated OJ Simpson’s USC Trojans 27-16 to capture the national title.
Of course, another intangible earning the ‘68 game my #2 ranking is that it’s also remembered for Woody going for a two point conversion on OSU’s final touchdown to hit the 50 point mark and subsequently answering a reporter’s question as to why he went for two by saying, “Because I couldn’t go for three!“. This was also the last game before the commencement of the 10 Year War.
“Summertime” does the sack dance strut
2002: Ohio State 14, Michigan 9
This game sticks in my mind for multiple reasons. Obviously, the most important fact is that the victory set up OSU’s upset over Miami to bring OSU it’s first national title in my lifetime.
Another key to this game is that it marked the second straight for Tressel against Michigan/Lloyd effectively turning the tide of a rivalry that had become one-sided in the JHC Era.
Tresselball was in full swing as OSU trailed 9-7 entering the 4th quarter but took the lead for good with 3:55 left on a Mo Hall sweep to paydirt. The drive was keyed by Maurice Clarett’s’ 26 yard reception on a wheel route setting up OSU with 1st and Goal at the 7. Michigan still had a chance driving to the OSU 24 but Will Allen picked off John Navarre in the end zone as time expired as the Buckeye faithful rushed the field and pepper spray started flying. Rivalries rule!
1961: Ohio State 50, Michigan 20
The ‘61 game is a sleeper pick thanks to Woody. Although many aren’t aware, this game marked the first time he went for two in the final moments to ensure he hit the 50 point barrier against his bitter rival. This occurrence might have been even crazier as Woody called a pass play at his own 20 with :34 seconds left leading 42-20. Paul Warfield promptly turned the play into a 70 yard gain so Woody called 3 more passes resulting in a touchdown with 5 seconds left. To be consistent, Woody ordered one more throw as OSU converted the two point play to win 50-20. And they say Woody wouldn’t throw the ball!?
1973: Ohio State 10, Michigan 10
The ‘73 clash makes the list bumping the 1987 victory which served as Earle Bruce’s last taste of The Game after his firing in the days leading up to kickoff for posting a 5-4-1 record with one game to play.
Rivalry kerosene at its finest
The 1973 tilt was the fifth of the 10 Year War and ended in a 10-10 tie. You might remember the game for a few reasons.
First, this is the game that provided the famous image of the Buckeye players coming out and tearing down the “M Banner” at midfield. While this act angered everyone in maize and blue, nothing upset Bo Schembechler more in his career than what happened after the game.
Though Michigan controlled the game statiscally, kicker Mike Lantry missed two field goals in the final minute and just as importantly, QB Dennis Franklin broke his collarbone earlier in the quarter.
In a shocking vote, the conference athletic directors awarded OSU the trip to Pasadena (OSU 42, USC 21) further fueling the flames of the rivalry. Considering the Big Ten had lost the previous five Rose Bowls, prevailing thought was the AD’s voted Ohio State to represent the conference due to Franklin’s injury but that was no consolation to Bo as his squad stayed home. Bummer.
I’ve gotta put 1987 on my list.
But I’m biased because I was there.
And let me tell, you, I was four feet away from Chris Spielman during pre-game warmups in the endzone. And I was scared shitless of him at that moment.
Classic! ‘87 was a great one…I think I bumped it only because the game itself was still a part of a mediocre season.
Hey, you gotta represent the conference. Mission accomplished if the powers that be wanted a team to end the PAC10’s 5-game win streak in the 1974 Rose Bowl.
On the 50-14 note, anyone see the HBO documentary yet? Bo putting #50 on his player’s helmets the following year was pretty sweet.
Thank the Lord for this rivalry.
The 1982 game was also a great one. We had one conference loss to Wisconsin (the infamous 6-0 game in the rain), and somehow scUM ended up with one more conference game than us, so they had already clinched the Rose Bowl bid before we played them. We played with a chip on our shoulder and handed them a painful loss. Tim Spencer, Marcus Marek, and Mike Tomczak played great games and scUM star Anthony Carter coughed up a key fumble to set up the winning score. It was a great party in the ‘Shoe after the game.
I agree with your #1 and the 10-10 game, but this is a pretty one-sided list, don’t you think? I’m sure there were some unforgettable heartbreakers too.
Pretty one-sided? I hope you meant totally one-sided…
This a Buckeye site and it’s Michigan week! If folks want to read about Michigan victories in The Game, I encourage them to go somewhere else. I have no interest in making our readers suffer through summaries of ‘69, ‘95, ‘96, ‘97…
That’s right Chris, I’d have been a little miffed if OSU losses were part of your countdown. Go Bucks!
Personally my favorite is 2001: Tressel’s first year, the Buckeyes are already booked for a lower-tier bowl and of course, there is Tress’s “guarantee.” Bucks dominate the first 30 minutes and then battle a very determined Michigan squad for the final half. My dad and I were perched about five rows from the top of the Big House and went absolutely nuts in a very somber UM section.
2001 was definitely a candidate…Corey and I were at the hoops game (against Mich) when Tressel made his “guarantee” and I swear you could feel the rivalry’s course change at that moment…no more playing not to lose or trying to downplay the recent history…
I can’t believe someone said the 11W list was one-sided. That is funny.
I watched the HBO documentary last night on my DVR. It is a must watch for everyone. And hopefully before Saturday.
It’s a toss-up for my personal favorites. It’s between the ‘94 game (OSU 22, UM 6) because it was the only time in my OSU career that we beat them & I have to go with the 2001 game as well because of it being Tressel’s first as well as the momentum shift back to OSU in the rivalry. We had gone through a lot of suffering prior to that. But I guess the ‘02 game was pretty important as well.
Is it Saturday yet?!
Wow, awesome. 5 Ohio State wins. How about 97, when Chuck Woodson killed you guys. David Boston… what a joke. Woodson owns him. Thanks for letting him have an easy game to clinch the Heisman, that was nice. As for this week, UM- 45 OSU-17.
Joe D - thanks for stopping by…sorry to catch you off guard listing ohio state wins on an ohio state site…enjoy the game.
Now that Tressel is around, Ohio’s players are staying in Ohio. The wins are no surprise. We have the best U.S. football players in the country. My favorite Buckeye win? The one that is about to happen this Saturday!
Although Tressel is 5-1 against the team up north, he’s only ruined their BCS bid once…2001 (and it wouldn’t have been a Rose Bowl). Since then, Michigan has gone to 3 Rose Bowls! What a crock of sh*t! They need to remember what real pain means when losing to Ohio State, Woody style, dashing their Rose Bowl dreams. Henne, Hart, Long, they’re SPOILED! They finally admitted over the summer that they want to beat OSU and win a bowl game. Where was that in 2004? What about 2005? 2006? Oh finally, after 2006. You know what, Blue seniors, you can flush your “storylines” right down the toilet bowl you call a stadium! You’re going down in blue flames, and this time, ALL of blue nation will know who’s manning the cannon! It is so on, you brats!
must really be a osu fan, not one michigan victory
I was at the “Hole in the Earth” for the 1st trip Tressel took up north. The rivalry has changed. It is the most important game of the year on the Buckeyes schedule. Football is meant to be played in the cold weather where two very respected programs can just let it all hang out. Being a teacher of 7th grade students just a short drive from A2 and being a BUCKEYE makes for some fun times as this game always approaches. GO Bucks!!
Yes, Steve….Michigan has gone to three Rose Bowls since Tressel has been our coach.
What you failed to mention, though, was that TWO of those Rose Bowls were given to you when Ohio State won the Big Ten, but DECLINED the rose in order to play in the National Championship Game.
Nice try, here’s your consolation prize.
Will - Great job connecting the dots…
Nice linkup to SI, you will need the corner office now. The Judge
Props from the Judge–nice! Troy’s heisman mugshot made me ponder…the Ravens have a washed up Steve McNair and a Kyle Boller that has never taken off…at what point in the season do you think they give Troy a whirl?