The University of Michigan Wolverines pulled off a stunning victory against their archrivals, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in a dramatic showdown on Saturday, Nov. 30. The fifth-ranked Wolverines snapped an eight-game losing streak against Ohio State, breathing life and competition back into the historic rivalry.
“For Michigan fans like me, this victory was more than just a game, it was a redemption story,” freshman Heather Czekai said. “Considering that we really have not been on our A-game all season, this win really united everyone, especially now that we are four years straight of beating Ohio.”
Before 2021, the Wolverines had lost 17 of their last 20 rivalry clashes with the Buckeyes. The three-game winning streak since then featured a trio of College Football Playoff-bound and Big Ten Championship-winning Michigan teams — three of the strongest and most well-rounded squads in recent memory.
“The game itself was a rollercoaster of emotions,” freshman Blake Jahn said. “Michigan’s defense made critical stops, while their offense executed under pressure. This was the type of game you just had to be there for, it was unlike any game I have ever been to. The fans went into it expecting to get crushed, but to come out victorious was something no one expected.”
Based on the history, it’s not surprising that Michigan would be underestimated and overlooked. After all, the Buckeyes were the betting favorites to win a national title, playing at home with three years of pent-up anger to avenge. The Wolverines were 6-5, with a first-year head coach and without both their star offensive and defensive players, in the midst of one of their worst seasons in recent memory.
“My family have all been lifetime Wolverine fans,” Czekai said. “We have had season tickets for forever and we have not missed a home game in years. Since I was a kid, I can remember cheering for Michigan, so this win was really something we were proud to see.”
This weekend’s game marks the first time since 1988-1991 that the Wolverines have won four in a row over Ohio State. On paper, Michigan was significantly outmatched. But rivalry games seldom come down to pure talent, and the Wolverines showed exactly why.
“After every play I thought that we were done,” Jahn said. “But Michigan kept their head above the water just long enough to make a pass or score. It might have been a little anticlimactic as a win, but it really did not matter because a win is a win. It was crazy to watch the two teams start fighting afterwards too, the whole field looked like a warzone.”
Saturday came down to the tougher team, the more aggressive team, the team that simply wanted it more. From start to finish, that team was Michigan. Fans are already looking ahead to the Big Ten Championship and beyond, but for now, they’re savoring the moment. From now on, as the Wolverines ride a four-game winning streak in a new chapter of college football’s biggest rivalry, stop underestimating and overlooking. They deserve the respect.