Comparing Ohio State and Michigan Over Three Eras of CFB

In this article, I will look at Ohio State and Michigan during three Eras of college football: the Pre-Poll Era (from 1869 to 1935); the Poll Era (from 1936 to 1997); and the Playoff Era (1998 to present).

During the Pre-Poll Era, all national championship recognized by the NCAA were awarded by historical committees after the fact.

The Poll Era began in 1936 with the advent of the Associated Press (AP) Poll, which is still in existence. From 1936 to 1949, the NCAA recognizes the AP national champion as the sole national champion; and from 1950 to 1997 as one of the national championship selectors. The NCAA also recognizes national championships awarded by the following selectors: United Press International (UPI) coaches poll from 1950 to 1997; the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) from 1954 to 1997; and the National Football Foundation (NFF) from 1959 to 1997. During the 48 years of multiple national championship selectors, there were 15 split national championships, and twice the national championship was split three ways (1964; 1970).

The Playoff Era began in 1998 with the BCS Championship, which was essentially a two-team playoff designed to settle all future national championship disputes. Despite the best efforts and intentions of the BCS and their computer models, there was still a split national championship in 2003, when the BCS awarded its championship to #2 Louisiana State (13-1 record, winner of the BCS Championship Game over #3 Oklahoma), while the AP and FWAA awarded their respective national championships to #1 Southern Cal (12-1 record, winner of Rose Bowl over #4 Michigan).

The Playoff expanded from two teams to four teams in 2014, and thus far this expansion has prevented any further split national championships.

A few additional notes: Unanimous national championships are in parentheses. Outright Big Ten titles are in parentheses. Consensus All Americans are those recognized by the NCAA. Vacated games and titles have been counted. The Heisman Trophy has been awarded from 1936 to present; the Maxwell Award from 1937 to present; the Outland Trophy from 1946 to present; and the Lombardi Award from 1970 to present.

The Pre-Poll Era

Michigan was clearly the dominant team in the Pre-Poll Era, with significant advantages in total wins (+75); winning percentage (+.118); Big Ten titles (+11); national championships (+7); and in The Game.

Team	Win/Loss/Tie	Win Pct	The Game	Win Pct	Postseason	Win Pct	Heisman	Maxwell	Outland	Lombardi	Cons AA	Big Ten	National
Michigan	319-83-19	.780	22-8-2	.719	1-0-0	1.000	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	22	15 (3)	7 (3)
Ohio State	244-117-31	.662	8-22-2	.281	0-1-0	0.000	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	12	4 (3)	none

The Poll Era

In many ways, the two teams were basically even during the Poll Era: wins; winning percentage; postseason games; All Americans; Big Ten titles; and in The Game. However, Ohio State held a significant advantage in major award winners (19 to 3) and in national championships (6 to 2).

Team	Win/Loss/Tie	Win Pct	The Game	Win Pct	Postseason	Win Pct	Heisman	Maxwell	Outland	Lombardi	Cons AA	Big Ten	National
Michigan	457-171-17	.722	32-26-4	.548	13-15-0	0.464	2	1	0	0	45	23 (12)	2 (1)
Ohio State	456-159-22	.733	26-32-4	.452	13-16-0	0.448	6	4	4	5	50	23 (12)	6 (2)

The Playoff Era

Ohio State has clearly dominated in almost all categories during the Playoff Era: wins (+54); winning percentage (+.150); postseason (19 wins to 8 wins); All Americans (28 to 17); Big Ten titles (12 to 5 overall; 8 to 2 outright); national championships (two to zero); and especially in The Game (18-5 record; .783 winning percentage).

Team	Win/Loss/Tie	Win Pct	The Game	Win Pct	Postseason	Win Pct	Heisman	Maxwell	Outland	Lombardi	Cons AA	Big Ten	National
Michigan	211-98-0	.683	5-18-0	.217	8-13-0	0.381	0	0	0	2	17	5 (2)	none
Ohio State	265-53-0	.833	18-5-0	.783	19-11-0	0.633	1	0	0	1	28	12 (8)	2 (2)

 

In this article, I will look at Ohio State and Michigan during three Eras of college football: the Pre-Poll Era (from 1869 to 1935); the Poll Era (from 1936 to 1997); and the Playoff Era (1998 to present).

During the Pre-Poll Era, all national championship recognized by the NCAA were awarded by historical committees after the fact.

The Poll Era began in 1936 with the advent of the Associated Press (AP) Poll, which is still in existence. From 1936 to 1949, the NCAA recognizes the AP national champion as the sole national champion; and from 1950 to 1997 as one of the national championship selectors. The NCAA also recognizes national championships awarded by the following selectors: United Press International (UPI) coaches poll from 1950 to 1997; the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) from 1954 to 1997; and the National Football Foundation (NFF) from 1959 to 1997. During the 48 years of multiple national championship selectors, there were 15 split national championships, and twice the national championship was split three ways (1964; 1970).

The Playoff Era began in 1998 with the BCS Championship, which was essentially a two-team playoff designed to settle all future national championship disputes. Despite the best efforts and intentions of the BCS and their computer models, there was still a split national championship in 2003, when the BCS awarded its championship to #2 Louisiana State (13-1 record, winner of the BCS Championship Game over #3 Oklahoma), while the AP and FWAA awarded their respective national championships to #1 Southern Cal (12-1 record, winner of Rose Bowl over #4 Michigan).

The Playoff expanded from two teams to four teams in 2014, and thus far this expansion has prevented any further split national championships.

A few additional notes: Unanimous national championships are in parentheses. Outright Big Ten titles are in parentheses. Consensus All Americans are those recognized by the NCAA. Vacated games and titles have been counted. The Heisman Trophy has been awarded from 1936 to present; the Maxwell Award from 1937 to present; the Outland Trophy from 1946 to present; and the Lombardi Award from 1970 to present.

The Pre-Poll Era

Michigan was clearly the dominant team in the Pre-Poll Era, with significant advantages in total wins (+75); winning percentage (+.118); Big Ten titles (+11); national championships (+7); and in The Game.

Team	Win/Loss/Tie	Win Pct	The Game	Win Pct	Postseason	Win Pct	Heisman	Maxwell	Outland	Lombardi	Cons AA	Big Ten	National
Michigan	319-83-19	.780	22-8-2	.719	1-0-0	1.000	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	22	15 (3)	7 (3)
Ohio State	244-117-31	.662	8-22-2	.281	0-1-0	0.000	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	12	4 (3)	none

The Poll Era

In many ways, the two teams were basically even during the Poll Era: wins; winning percentage; postseason games; All Americans; Big Ten titles; and in The Game. However, Ohio State held a significant advantage in major award winners (19 to 3) and in national championships (6 to 2).

Team	Win/Loss/Tie	Win Pct	The Game	Win Pct	Postseason	Win Pct	Heisman	Maxwell	Outland	Lombardi	Cons AA	Big Ten	National
Michigan	457-171-17	.722	32-26-4	.548	13-15-0	0.464	2	1	0	0	45	23 (12)	2 (1)
Ohio State	456-159-22	.733	26-32-4	.452	13-16-0	0.448	6	4	4	5	50	23 (12)	6 (2)

The Playoff Era

Ohio State has clearly dominated in almost all categories during the Playoff Era: wins (+54); winning percentage (+.150); postseason (19 wins to 8 wins); All Americans (28 to 17); Big Ten titles (12 to 5 overall; 8 to 2 outright); national championships (two to zero); and especially in The Game (18-5 record; .783 winning percentage).

Team	Win/Loss/Tie	Win Pct	The Game	Win Pct	Postseason	Win Pct	Heisman	Maxwell	Outland	Lombardi	Cons AA	Big Ten	National
Michigan	211-98-0	.683	5-18-0	.217	8-13-0	0.381	0	0	0	2	17	5 (2)	none
Ohio State	265-53-0	.833	18-5-0	.783	19-11-0	0.633	1	0	0	1	28	12 (8)	2 (2)

End of an Era today.

 

I actually think you should change the poll era to 1950 start year but regardless.
I know when you compare MSU vs UM starting when MSU joined the B10 (1950) MSU is 32-39-2 against UM.
My point is when did OSU get serious about football and when did they get level footing with UM? So much of the UM lore and "Championship" football was pre-1950 when they literally often had men playing against boys. If they do not have a huge advantage they tend to lose out in a fight.
And do not stress. tOSU will return to its winning ways this season. Day is a really good coach and he will get it figured out.

Looking at the poll era through today tOSU is 44-37-4 against them. Again take out those early years when they had such a huge advantage and things look way different.

Interesting that tOSU is 36-14 against MSU since 1950. An interesting difference.

 

Looking at the poll era through today tOSU is 44-37-4 against them. Again take out those early years when they had such a huge advantage and things look way different.

We've said that for a long time. "In the last X years, Ohio State has a winning record against M*ch*gan." But those dorks are more interested in having the most wins all time and a winning record all time.

I figured it out a few years ago: until a couple of years ago, if you were born after something like 1910, and are still alive today, and there's no loopholes like you died for a minute and were brought back to life, or some stupid asterisk to my stat, then Ohio State had a winning record against M*ch*gan in your lifetime. That's changed because of the last couple of years. But it points to the fact that M*ch*gan fans brag about stuff that happened before they were born.

And, not that it's needed, but check out how many wins were against Albion College, Ann Arbor High School, and Case Institute of Technology.

 

The wins against HS are the ones that really make me laugh.
Listen they have a tradition program that has been around a really long time. And it has been solid obviously over all these years hence the win record (at the moment). But they are not one of the greatest programs when you look at actually winning championships on the field. I would say without much doubt in my mind tOSU, ND, Bama all are clearly better. One might throw Texas and Okla in that tier also. But SCum is literally not what I would consider a tier 1 program Nationally. It is a Regional Powerhouse. But Nationally a tier 2 program. Especially if you start around the later 40s till today.
I am feeling lazy but until the last 2 season I had tOSU overtaking them for 1st all time for wins in like 20 years. Not sure if that holds as I was assuming 1.5ish games a season more wins. SCum has been on a heater so that may stretch things out a bit. But it was around 35-40 game gap. We all just need to eat healthy and take care of ourselves so we are around when the day happens. Because I will be likely drinking myself into the grave that day....LOL.

 

ttun:
Era 1: Cheaters
Era 2: Chokers
Era 3: Chodes