By Darin 
Ohio State versus Michigan is an annual must-watch game for football enthusiasts, but in 1973 it was extra-special.
The Duel of Unbeatens
In college football, few rivalry games carry the weight and bitterness of “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan. But one clash stands above the rest as a source of lasting controversy: the “Ten-Ten Travesty” of November 24, 1973. This wasn’t just a rivalry game; it was a battle for the national title picture, featuring two undefeated and seemingly unchallenged behemoths, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan, locked in a brutal contest that would end in a stalemate and a scandal.
The atmosphere at Ann Arbor was electric, setting the stage for one of the legendary matchups during “The Ten Year War” era. The Buckeyes, under coach Woody Hayes, jumped out early, securing a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. For the rest of the game, Hayes relied on his signature grind-it-out playbook, stubbornly adhering to the running game even when the Wolverines countered by putting nine men in the box.
The staunch Michigan defense, led by coach Bo Schembechler, eventually broke through, battling back to tie the game in the fourth quarter. The final moments delivered pure, agonizing drama. Michigan’s fate rested on the leg of kicker Mike Lantry, who had two chances to clinch the victory. With just one minute left, Lantry missed field goal attempts from 58 and 44 yards, sealing the controversial 10-10 tie.
The Infamous Vote
The indecisive final score immediately threw the Big Ten’s Rose Bowl bid into chaos. Since both teams were undefeated (and tied) in conference play, the decision fell to the Big Ten athletic directors. In a vote that remains infamous, the directors chose to send Ohio State to the Rose Bowl over Michigan, citing injuries to the Wolverines’ quarterback. Bo Schembechler never forgave them for denying his team the chance at a national title, ensuring the 1973 tie remains one of the most controversial and fiercely debated results in the history of college football’s greatest rivalry.