If anyone watches college football, they know one of the biggest rivalries in sports history, Ohio State University versus Michigan University. This war of territories has existed since the 19th century. The fight is not even about yard lines, but of physical land.
When America was expanding westward, boundary lines of states were not officially set in stone, making fighting over who’s land a common occurrence. One of these fights was over the Toledo Strip which was between Michigan, a territory at the time, and the State of Ohio. This led into the Toledo War. where Ohio ended up winning the Strip itself while Michigan won the Upper Peninsula on December 14, 1836.
The piece that many seem to forget is what would have happened if Ohio had lost. If that was the case, Toledo would be a part of Michigan and the University of Michigan would have been built there instead of Detroit, where it is currently.
Even though the physical war is over, Michiganians and Buckeyes still show their hatred towards each other through their sports, specifically with their college football.
The teams have played each other since 1918. In those years, there are quite a few traditions that have stuck with both teams. During the week before teams play, many people participate in these traditions.
One of Ohio St’s most common traditions is crossing out the M’s on the campus. This can include signs, buildings or even social media posts saying things like “Xichigan Avenue,” or “Xathxatics Building.”
Another Ohio St tradition is the dotting of the “I.” The teams trade off where the game is hosted every year, this year being Michigan’s Big House. When Ohio St is hosting, the marching band will stomp onto the field during halftime, writing “Ohio” in cursive while playing the “Plaquette’s March.” The dotting of the “I” is performed by either a sousaphone player in their fourth or fifth year in Ohio St or a guest who has connections to the college, whether that is being a coach or going there for college.
Another one of Ohio St’s traditions is handing out the Golden Pants. Now, players and coaches are not handed actual gold weaved into pants, but instead are given a pin in the shape of football pants. Any player and coach who beat Michigan that year gets one.
Michigan’s traditions are not as solid for the big week. They have the “GO BLUE” banner at the end of the locker room which players hit with their hands before running out to the field, but that does not specifically apply to the rivalry game. Instead, the tradition applies to every game in the BIG 10.
The ending to the 2025 Ohio State versus Michigan game which took place on November 29, was a big one for Ohio State. Ohio State beat Michigan, 27-9, breaking Michigan’s four-year winning streak.