In 2006, #1 OSU and #2 Michigan were set to square off in the "Game of the Century."  On the eve of this epic matchup, legendary coach Bo Schembechler would pass away. 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2665857

 

Michigan would go on to lose the following day in heartbreaking fashion.

 

Having missed a spot in the National Title Game, a devastated #3 ranked Wolverine's team would go on to get blown out by the Pete Carroll led USC Trojans in the 2007 Rose Bowl.

 

In the opening game of the 2007 season, a highly ranked Michigan team would be upset for their third straight loss since Bo's death in "The Greatest Upset of them all."

https://www.si.com/longform/appstate/index.html

 

This would ultimately plunge the Wolverines into a decade of disaster.

 

Fast forward....... (dominoes pizza.....division II defense... Keith Jackson dies????? how can they beat OSU if they can't get past Toledo?......but can he play defensive tackle???...... DENNARD.....TOM BRADY......Michigan fergodsakes....... clapping hands.... no headset....basketball school)

 

OSU would enter the 2020 season having won 8 straight games in the rivalry and an up and coming coach Ryan Day would famously boast to his team,

" We are going to hang 100 hundred on them."

 

https://saturdaytradition.com/ohio-state-football/report-ryan-day-tells-team-were-going-to-hang-100-on-michigan-after-things-get-heated-with-jim-harbaugh-on-b1g-call/

 

However, the 100 points would not be achieved as Michigan and OSU would not play in the COVID year.  Buckeyes (and Buckeye fans) would be furious in the aftermath.  They would go on to publicly challenge Michigan's manhood  for months and let it be known that it was 9 years since Michigan had won "The Game."     

 

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh would end up the 2020 season with a losing record be under enormous pressure, eventually taking a humiliating pay cut.

 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32963211/michigan-wolverines-football-coach-jim-harbaugh-says-offseason-pay-cut-was-no-big-deal

 

In 2021, OSU would enter the season as the clear favorites to yet again win the BIG.  However, due to a cold and snowstorm, Michigan would prevail and win their first championship in decades.  

 

After the victory, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh would state:

 

 “Sometimes, there are people standing on third base that think they hit a triple — but they didn’t.” 

 

Harbaugh would then go on to donate his $1.5 Million Championship bonus to the Michigan Athletics dept employees affected by the pandemic.

https://247sports.com/article/jim-harbaugh-donates-15-million-in-bonus-money-from-2021-football-season-to-michigan-athletics-employees-188549958/#:~:text=The%20numbers%20on%20exactly%20how,Steve%20Berkowitz%20of%20USA%20Today.

 

In 2022, OSU would enter the season scarred and tougher, and with one of it's best teams in decades. The Buckeyes were again favorites to win the BIG.  But they would be beat down in their own toilet shaped stadium.

 

Finally, in 2023 Ryan Day would commonly be called "Third Base" by his own fan base after losing his third straight game, with his toughest team ever, to MICHIGAN following a strange pre-game toughness dancing ritual.

https://scarletandgame.com/2023/11/27/ohio-state-football-jim-harbaugh-right-ryan-day/