Michigan Stadium

Depending on who you ask, The Michigan - Ohio State rivalry is the biggest rivalry in all of college football and maybe all of collegiate athletics. These teams have met 111 times with the first meeting taking place in 1897. Michigan currently holds the series lead 58-46-6 and will look to expand on it in the coming years. This rivalry has gained significant traction over the past forty years due to it normally determining the Big Ten Conference champions, which it has done 22 times. The game has even had National Championship implications as in the past both teams have come into the game with National Championship in their grasp.The matchup is also a border war, making it one of the most exciting games to watch in all of college football.

The in-state rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State also holds high importance for Michigan fans and is the biggest game of the year right after The Game. The Wolverines and Spartans have played 107 times since 1898 and even though Michigan State has been winning more over the last few years, Michigan still dominates the all-time series 68-34-5. Michigan’s dominance has led to fans nicknaming Michigan State as “little brother,” which has not sat well with State fans.

When the Gophers and Wolverines meet they play for the Little Brown Jug. The two teams first met in 1892 when Minnesota took down Michigan 14-6. However, the Little Brown Jug didn’t enter the equation until 1903. Michigan head coach Fielding H. Yost was afraid the Gophers might contaminate the Wolverines’ water, so he had a student manager buy a 5-gallon jug. The game was called early due to severe weather and the jug got left behind. Ever since then the winner of this contest has been awarded the Little Brown Jug.