By Darin 
It was November 22, 1969, and the stage was set for another coronation. The No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, led by legendary coach Woody Hayes, marched into Ann Arbor riding a dominant 22-game winning streak. They were 15-point favorites and widely expected to steamroll their rivals, securing a third consecutive national championship appearance. But this game was different. This was the day that the student, first-year Wolverines coach Bo Schembechler, stunned his teacher, Hayes, launching one of the most intense and famous rivalries in sports history: The Ten-Year War.
The narrative surrounding the game was as dramatic as the final score. Woody Hayes, the titan of college football, had mentored Schembechler, and now the two were set to clash as rivals. No. 12 Michigan, coming off a season of inconsistency, was not just playing for pride; they were fighting for recognition. Hayesā Buckeyes were considered perhaps the greatest team in college football history at that point, making the odds heavily stacked against the Wolverines.
The 103,588 fans in attendance witnessed a defensive masterclass from Michigan. The Wolverinesā defense swarmed the vaunted Ohio State offense, forcing error after error. The final score, Michigan 24, Ohio State 12, tells a story of unexpected dominance. All 24 Michigan points were scored in a ferocious first half, a blitzkrieg that left the Buckeyes reeling and unable to recover.
But the real heroes were the defensive backs. The Wolverines intercepted an astonishing six passes throughout the contest, shattering Ohio Stateās momentum and preserving the lead deep into the second half. This shocking, improbable victory not only secured a share of the Big Ten title for Michigan but also delivered a seismic jolt to the college football landscape by ending Ohio State’s generational winning streak.
The 1969 upset was more than just a single game; it was the starting pistol for an era-defining conflict. Bo Schembechler had proven he could compete with his mentor, and for the next decade, the annual showdown between the two iconic coaches became the pinnacle of the sport. Every November, the nation held its breath as Bo and Woody battled, defining what it meant to be a college football rivalry. This single day in Ann Arbor didn’t just decide a titleāit inaugurated a legendary, decade-long struggle.
Why This Game Still Matters
The 1969 upset remains a foundational moment in Michigan football lore and a cautionary tale about taking rivalry games for granted. It cemented Schembechler’s legacy immediately and established the standard for the intensity that defines the modern Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, proving that on any given Saturday, especially in “The Game,” anything is possible.
Michigan QB Don Moorhead runs through Ohio State dDefenders 1969
Article from Nov 23, 1969 The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)