So, you’re looking for the definitive Michigan Ohio State record. Honestly, if you ask a fan in Ann Arbor and then drive three hours south to ask someone in Columbus, you might get two different vibes, but the math doesn't lie. As of the start of 2026, the Michigan Wolverines still hold the all-time edge in this rivalry, but it’s gotten a lot tighter than the old-timers remember.
The current standing? Michigan leads the series 62-53-6.
That "6" is for the ties, something we don't see in the modern overtime era but which defined some of the most bitter afternoons in the 20th century. If you’re a Buckeye fan, you probably point to the fact that Ohio State has absolutely dominated the 21st century. If you’re a Wolverine, you’re still riding the high of that three-year win streak from 2021 to 2023 and the 2024 upset that shocked the country.
The Game in the 2020s: A Wild Shift in Momentum
The last few years have been a total fever dream. For a long time, it felt like Ohio State had a permanent psychological grip on the rivalry. Then, 2021 happened. Hassan Haskins ran through the snow, and suddenly the "Michigan Ohio State record" wasn't just a climbing number for the Buckeyes.
- 2021: Michigan 42, Ohio State 27 (The breakthrough)
- 2022: Michigan 45, Ohio State 23 (The blowout in the Shoe)
- 2023: Michigan 30, Ohio State 24 (The "interim" win)
- 2024: Michigan 13, Ohio State 10 (The 20.5-point underdog upset)
That 2024 game was statistically one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport. Ohio State was ranked No. 2, destined for a national title, and Michigan was struggling just to stay relevant in the new-look Big Ten. Somehow, the Wolverines dragged the Buckeyes into a mud-fight and won it with a field goal.
But then came 2025. Ryan Day finally got his revenge. Playing in Ann Arbor, the Buckeyes' defense, led by the nation's top-ranked unit, absolutely suffocated Bryce Underwood and the Michigan offense. Ohio State won 27-9, snapping the four-game losing streak and reminding everyone that the talent gap in Columbus is still terrifyingly wide.
Why the 1902 Game Still Matters (Kinda)
To understand why Michigan still leads the series, you have to look at the "Point-a-Minute" era under Fielding Yost. In 1902, Michigan beat Ohio State 86-0. Yes, 86.
It's a score that sounds like a typo.
Michigan went 12-0-1 in the first 13 meetings. Ohio State didn't even score a point in most of those games. This early dominance is the only reason the Buckeyes haven't overtaken the all-time lead yet. If you only look at the Michigan Ohio State record from 1950 onward, it’s a completely different story. The Buckeyes have been chipping away at that 19th-century lead for decades, particularly during the Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer eras when Michigan wins were about as rare as a quiet Saturday in the Horseshoe.
The "Ten-Year War" and the Middle Ages of the Rivalry
You can't talk about the record without mentioning Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes. From 1969 to 1978, these two icons went head-to-head in what fans call the Ten-Year War.
It wasn't just football; it was a cultural clash.
In those ten years, the record was almost a dead heat: Michigan won 5, Ohio State won 4, and they tied once (the infamous 10-10 tie in 1973 where Big Ten ADs voted to send OSU to the Rose Bowl because Michigan's QB was injured). That decade cemented the rivalry as "The Game." Every single year, the Big Ten title and a trip to Pasadena were on the line.
- 1969: Michigan upsets No. 1 Ohio State 24-12, starting the war.
- The 1970s: Defense ruled. Scores like 12-10 and 14-6 were the norm.
- The 1990s: Suddenly, Michigan became "the spoiler," frequently ruining undefeated Ohio State seasons under John Cooper.
Cooper's record against Michigan was a painful 2-10-1. For Buckeye fans, those years are a dark hole in the history books where superior OSU teams would inevitably stumble against a gritty Michigan squad.
Modern Dominance: Since the Turn of the Century
If you're a younger fan, your version of the Michigan Ohio State record is basically a scarlet-and-gray highlight reel. Between 2001 and 2019, Ohio State went 17-2 against the Wolverines. (Technically 16-2 if you count the 2010 vacation of wins, but everyone knows who won that game on the field).
Urban Meyer never lost to Michigan. Not once.
He went 7-0. He treated the rivalry like a year-round obsession, and it showed. The Buckeyes weren't just winning; they were often embarrassing Michigan. The 62-39 game in 2018 felt like the final nail in the coffin for the Jim Harbaugh era, at least until he completely reinvented the program in 2021.
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Statistical Deep Dive (As of 2026)
- Total Games Played: 121
- Most Consecutive Wins (MICH): 9 (1901–1909)
- Most Consecutive Wins (OSU): 8 (2012–2019)
- Games in Columbus: 29-29-2 (Perfectly even)
- Games in Ann Arbor: 33-24-4 (Michigan leads at home)
- Shutouts: Michigan has 26; Ohio State has 10. (Most of these are ancient history).
It’s interesting to note that even though Michigan has the lead, Ohio State has scored more total points in the modern era. The Buckeyes have also produced more Heisman winners (7 to Michigan's 3) and generally have a better bowl record in the last thirty years.
What’s Next for the Record?
The 2026 game is scheduled for November 28th in Columbus. This is a massive "swing" game for the record. With the expansion of the Big Ten to 18 teams and the arrival of West Coast powerhouses like Oregon and USC, "The Game" is no longer just about the conference title. It’s about seeding in the 12-team (or potentially larger) College Football Playoff.
Ryan Day is currently 2-4 against Michigan. That’s a stat that keeps people in Ohio up at night. While the 2025 win bought him some breathing room, the pressure to get back to a winning record against the Wolverines is immense. Meanwhile, Sherrone Moore is trying to prove that the 2024 upset wasn't a fluke but a sign that Michigan can still dominate the trenches.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you're tracking the Michigan Ohio State record for betting, trivia, or just bragging rights, keep these things in mind:
- Look at the Home/Away Split: The series is dead even in Columbus. Michigan’s historical lead is almost entirely built on games played in Ann Arbor before 1920.
- Check the "Vacated" Status: Official NCAA records list 2010 as a "vacated" win for Ohio State due to the tattoo scandal, but for the purpose of the rivalry's "feeling," most fans count it.
- Weather Matters: History shows that when the temperature drops below 35°F in this game, the under hits more often, and the "grittier" rushing team (usually Michigan lately) has an edge.
- Recruiting Trends: Watch the 2027 and 2028 classes. Ohio State is currently out-pacing Michigan in five-star commits, which usually translates to a record shift three years down the line.
The rivalry is healthier than it's been in decades. For a while, it was a one-sided beatdown. Now, it's a back-and-forth war where every Saturday in November feels like a season-defining moment. Michigan holds the lead for now, but the gap is closing.