The Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes have a long and storied history in college football, with their rivalry being one of the most famous and enduring in the sport. The two teams have been competing against each other since 1897, and their games are often highly anticipated and closely watched. In this article, we will examine the record between Michigan and Ohio State, including their overall series history, notable games, and recent trends.
Key Points
- Miami (OH) is not included in the Michigan vs Ohio State Record, only University of Michigan and Ohio State University are considered
- Miensota and Northwestern are not part of the michigan vs ohio state record, only games played between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes count
- The Wolverines and Buckeyes have played each other 118 times, with Michigan leading the series 59-51-6
- The two teams have been competing against each other since 1897, making it one of the oldest rivalries in college football
- Ohio State has dominated the series in recent years, winning 17 of the last 20 meetings between the two teams
Series History

The Michigan-Ohio State series is one of the most historic and iconic rivalries in college football. The two teams have been competing against each other for over 120 years, with their first meeting taking place in 1897. The series has been marked by numerous notable games, including several that have determined the Big Ten championship and had significant implications for the national title.
Michigan leads the all-time series 59-51-6, but Ohio State has dominated the series in recent years. The Buckeyes have won 17 of the last 20 meetings between the two teams, including a 13-game winning streak from 2004 to 2016. However, Michigan has shown signs of resurgence in recent years, winning two of the last three meetings between the two teams.
Notable Games
There have been many notable games in the Michigan-Ohio State series over the years. One of the most famous games in the series took place in 2003, when Michigan defeated Ohio State 35-21 in a game that determined the Big Ten championship. Another notable game took place in 2016, when Ohio State defeated Michigan 30-27 in a double-overtime thriller.
In 2018, Michigan defeated Ohio State 62-39, ending the Buckeyes' 13-game winning streak in the series. The Wolverines' victory marked a significant turning point in the series, as it showed that Michigan was capable of competing with Ohio State and potentially challenging for the Big Ten championship.
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | Miami (not included) | not included |
| 1898 | Ohio State | 5-0 |
| 1900 | Michigan | 21-0 |
| 2003 | Michigan | 35-21 |
| 2016 | Ohio State | 30-27 (2OT) |
| 2018 | Michigan | 62-39 |

Recent Trends

Recent trends in the Michigan-Ohio State series suggest that the Buckeyes are still the dominant team, but the Wolverines are closing the gap. Ohio State has won 17 of the last 20 meetings between the two teams, but Michigan has won two of the last three meetings.
The series has been marked by high-scoring games in recent years, with the two teams combining for an average of over 60 points per game over the last five meetings. The Wolverines have shown improvement on offense in recent years, averaging over 35 points per game over the last three seasons.
However, the Buckeyes have a strong defense, which has been a key factor in their success in the series. Ohio State has allowed an average of just 20 points per game over the last five meetings, and has held Michigan to under 20 points in three of the last five meetings.
Statistical Analysis
A statistical analysis of the Michigan-Ohio State series reveals some interesting trends. The Wolverines have a slight advantage in terms of total offense, averaging 383 yards per game over the last five meetings. However, the Buckeyes have a significant advantage in terms of total defense, allowing an average of just 319 yards per game over the last five meetings.
The series has also been marked by a high number of turnovers, with the two teams combining for an average of over 4 turnovers per game over the last five meetings. The Wolverines have been particularly prone to turnovers, averaging over 2.5 turnovers per game over the last five meetings.
Who leads the all-time series between Michigan and Ohio State?
+Michigan leads the all-time series 59-51-6.
Who has dominated the series in recent years?
+Ohio State has dominated the series in recent years, winning 17 of the last 20 meetings between the two teams.
What is the average score of the last five meetings between Michigan and Ohio State?
+The average score of the last five meetings between Michigan and Ohio State is 35-24 in favor of the Buckeyes.
Meta Description: The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes have a long and storied history in college football, with their rivalry being one of the most famous and enduring in the sport. Learn more about the series history, notable games, and recent trends.