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Ranking the top 10 best Big Ten football rivalries

By Shane Lunnen

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan vs. Ohio State

There could be no other choice for number one on the list of the Big Ten’s best rivalries. It’s Michigan vs. Ohio State, quite simply known as The Game.

This long running rivalry is not just the best in the conference, it’s arguably the best in all of college football and perhaps, all of sports. The players, coaches and especially the fans all breed hate for the opposing side. This is one rivalry that branches out from the teams themselves as the residents of the two states share a dislike for the other.

While the teams have met nearly annually since 1897, the berth of the modern rivalry between the two started in 1969 with the kickoff of the “Ten-Year War”. This decade of games saw some of the strongest teams for both schools, coached by two legendary coaches, the Buckeye’s Woody Hayes and the Wolverine’s Bo Schembechler. He would get the best of Woody during this time with a 5-4-1 edge.

Earle Bruce would take over for Hayes in 1979 and would post a 5-4 record against the Wolverines before being fired at the end of 1987 season. John Cooper would be hired as the next coach of the Buckeyes, but his tenure was marked by a domination by the Wolverines. Cooper’s teams were undefeated heading into The Game for the 1993, 1995 and 1996 seasons, all ending in Buckeye losses and national championship dreams dashed. The Wolverines would win a split national title with future Big Ten foe Nebraska after the 1997 season.

The Jim Tressel era in Columbus saw a resurgence for the Buckeyes over the hated Wolverines. Their 2006 match-up was legendary, with Ohio State entering the game ranked number one and Michigan ranked number two. The Buckeyes would earn the win 42-39, but would eventually lose in the BCS championship game to Florida and the Wolverines lost in the Rose Bowl to USC.

The 2016 match-up saw Jim Harbaugh vs. Urban Meyer part two and it featured the first ever overtime game in the series. The Buckeyes would prevail 30-27 in double overtime.

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The series currently stands at 58-50-6 in favor of the Wolverines. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Buckeyes have dominated, winning all but two games since 2001 including the last seven meetings. Despite Ohio State’s recent streak, this rivalry will always be heated and be one of the premier rivalries in all of sports.

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