Three best Ohio State Football vs. Michigan matchups in history

1. Ohio State football vs. Michigan 2006

It doesn’t get any bigger than this. One versus two. In the Shoe. Under the lights. That’s what we got back in 2006. Both teams came in undefeated and had national championship aspirations. The winner of this game would be going to Arizona to play for a national title.

It was a game that was close throughout, but one that Ohio State always controlled. Troy Smith put an exclamation point on his Heisman Trophy campaign by finishing the game 29/41 for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was sensational throughout the game.

Antonio Pittman had 18 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown as well to help the Buckeyes on the ground. Beanie Wells had a long touchdown run in this game as a true freshman too. It was an unbelievable victory that sent the Buckeyes to their second National Championship Game in five years.

There was a debate after this game about whether or not Michigan deserved a rematch against the Buckeyes in that game. While the BCS computers put them in a tie with Florida for that spot, the human pollsters gave the not to Urban Meyer’s Gators. We know what happened after that.

But for this game and this rivalry, no game in its history matches up to this. The hype leading up to the game was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before or since. It doesn’t get any better than 1 vs. 2. It’s the only time in The Game’s history that it’s been 1 vs. 2.

There you have it! The three best matchups in history. Hopefully, Saturday matches up to the ranking I gave it.