Biggest Games in the History of the 'Shoe

[Bucklion]

I'm not sure how it being 1 versus 2 makes it bigger. It makes it bigger for the entire country as a whole, but for scUM and OSU fans it really shouldn't watter. To me, this is just as big as every other game where the NC was on the line.

To me tibs what makes it bigger is that the stakes are higher for the team we hate this time, as opposed to 2002. I agree that from a purely historical perspective (and in no small part because I was in the stadium) the 2002 game will go down as one our most important in history. However this time, we can not only vault ourselves into a (hopefully) monster matchup against USC or ND or Florida for the title, but we also deprive Michigan and LLLLLLoyd of a shot at that same national championship we (hopefully) will be playing for. So, in other words, not only do we get to earn it, we also simultaneously get to take it away...and THAT to me makes it bigger from a rivalry perspective.

 

[Saw31]

2002 bigger? No way...no chance...no how...

The stakes in this game are immeasurably higher than in 2002 including a Heisman Trophy and the next number retirement on the line...We lose in 2002, scUM doesn't go on to win a MNC...

 

[Dryden]

I'm going to say that this game is not as big as the classics in the 60s and 70s.

An outright Big Ten Championship, a National Title shot, maybe even the Heisman all hang in the balance pending the outcome of this Saturdays game, sure, but in this rivalry, that actually happens quite often. The ONLY thing about this specific upcoming game that is unique is that the teams are ranked #1 vs #2, which is just a roundabout way of saying a lot of other teams are experiencing down years, not getting the bounces, the calls, or whatever.

Blah.

During the 10 Year War the Rose Bowl wasn't a consolation prize. Lose the game: You don't go to a bowl. Period. Turn in your uniforms tomorrow, we'll see you next Spring.

The games meant a LOT more back then than they do today.

In fact, you could illustrate the point by noting that it will be possible for the loser of this game to still win a share of the national title, for those who recognize the significance and history of the AP Poll, BCS or no BCS. Hypothetically, let's say OSU beats UM narrowly, then goes on to lose the title game against Notre Dame, while UM drills USC in the Rose Bowl. With UM holding a decisive head-to-head win over ND, don't you think the AP voters will vote Michigan #1, and not Notre Dame?

 

[BB73]

I'm going to say that this game is not as big as the classics in the 60s and 70s.

During the 10 Year War the Rose Bowl wasn't a consolation prize. Lose the game: You don't go to a bowl. Period. Turn in your uniforms tomorrow, we'll see you next Spring.

The games meant a LOT more back then than they do today.

The 'Win or no Bowl' thing was only true for both teams for the '72, '73, and '74 games of the 10 Year War. Of those, only in 1973 were both teams undefeated.

In 1969, if tOSU had won, they wouldn't have gone to a bowl anyway due to the no-repeat rule (but there would have been an NC).

In 1970, TSUN had no chance at a bowl, but both teams had a chance at the NC, although they were ranked #4 (TSUN) and #5 before The Game, and tOSU's win got them up to #2 and sent them to face #12 Stanford in the Rose Bowl.

In 1971, TSUN already had the Rose Bowl clinched.

In 1972, TSUN had a perfect record, and tOSU had a loss, so The Game wasn't quite as big. The loss was crushing to TSUN, though, since the no-repeat rule had been lifted, and #3 TSUN would have had a shot at a great #1 USC team in the Rose Bowl had they won.

1973 was for all the marbles; the winner got the Rose Bowl, the loser got nothing. This game can make the best claim for being as big as this year. But it was a #1 tOSU vs. #4 TSUN matchup, so TSUN would not have been guaranteed a shot at the NC by winning. The 10-10 tie ruined the NC chances of both teams.

1974 was for the Rose Bowl, but tOSU already had a loss, so The Game wasn't as big as this year (trust me, I was there).

From 1975 to 1978, the last 4 years of the Woody vs. Bo era, each team was allowed to go to a bowl.

In conclusion, only 1970 and 1973 can make a case for being as big as this year's game, but for me, #1 vs. #2 trumps those 1-4 and 4-5 matchups.

 

[st8ofmind]

The '96 and '98 games against TSUN just missed the cut.

In 1996, tOSU was #2 and TSUN was 7-3 and #21. If tOSU had been #1, or would have earned the right to play the #1 team with a win (not possible in 1996 pre-BCS days), or if TSUN was in the top-10, it would have been included.

In 1998, although tOSU ended up #2, the AP ranking was only #7 going into The Game, and TSUN was #11.

You're welcome.

 

[briegg]

Personally, I have to agree with Tibs on this one - in 2002, I felt like beating TSUN was going to define tOSU & JT's tenure - could he win the big one with everything on the line, or would he be another Cooper (the words 'Tressel' & 'Cooper' should not be allowed in the same sentance). If we would have lost to them that year, our entire program is not what it is today. For tOSU, it was a bigger win (or non-loss), and tOSU is all I care about. If we happen to los this game, it will not set our program back the way a loss in 2002 would have (at least for me mentally).

Don't mistake this to mean that I don't this this one is important, because it is HUGE, and I will be devastated if we lose (my wife can attest to my mood after attending the 2003 game, when we could have returned to the NC had we won that game).

To the arguement that both teams have so much on the line, I say I don't really care what us winning this game denies them, because I don't like them.

Go Bucks - Fuck Michigan!!!!!

 

[osufootball727]

I think this is bigger than '02 because it is not only a chance for the Bucks to send themselves to the National Title game, it's also a chance to completely demoralize their biggest rival on the biggest possible stage and (most likely and hopefully) eliminate any chance they have of winning a national title.

 

[UpNorthBuckeye]

This game has a DIFFERENT kind of nervousness. Our frame of mind is so different from 2002. As some have said, we don't want to lose... and we feel like we should win.

The only thing that scares me a teeny bit is how we sound like Cryami before the Fiesta Bowl.

All i'm sayin' is don't get a big head.

Wow, the hittin' this Saturday is going to be unbelievable. I would love to be in the stands just to HEAR it!

Go Bucks!

 

[sandgk]

I don't think we are collectively predicting that noone can hang with us - which Miami did, players and fans.
I don't think we are giving short thrift to Michigan's defensive abilities - which Miami's players and fans assuredly did.

If your concern is that we are morphing into Coral Gables North - I say don't worry, it isn't happening.

Frankly a lot more bravura talk is coming from some visiting Michigan fans, certainly from old players in the press (which is a time honored AA tradition apparently, team confidence by proxy) and a little from current players (Henne - I deserve this) - than you are seeing from Ohio State players current or ex, let alone the overwhelming majority of fans on this board.

Which reminds me of the one real tradition with merit - he who laughs last, laughs loudest.

 

[Jaxbuck]

This game has a DIFFERENT kind of nervousness. Our frame of mind is so different from 2002. As some have said, we don't want to lose... and we feel like we should win.

The only thing that scares me a teeny bit is how we sound like Cryami before the Fiesta Bowl.

All i'm sayin' is don't get a big head.

Wow, the hittin' this Saturday is going to be unbelievable. I would love to be in the stands just to HEAR it!

Go Bucks!

Agree 100%. Well said.