In college football, there aren’t many rivalries quite like the annual Ohio State Buckeyes versus Michigan Wolverines clash. This year, it feels even bigger: the No. 1 Buckeyes are heading to Ann Arbor to take on the No. 15 Wolverines.
There’s a bit of extra spice this time. Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy have a friendly wager riding on the result. NFL legend Rob Gronkowski is the go-between. The deal? Whoever loses donates $1,000 to the winner’s program’s NIL fund.
Honestly, it’s a fun bet, but it just highlights how fierce and deep this rivalry runs.
The Significance of the Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry
This matchup goes all the way back to 1897. It’s old, heated, and never boring.
The Wolverines still hold the edge in the all-time series, sitting at 62-52-6. But in the 2000s, Ohio State’s been the one on top, and a lot of that came during Urban Meyer’s run as head coach.
Urban Meyer’s Impact
During his seven seasons, Meyer never lost to Michigan—he went 7-0. That streak didn’t just boost Ohio State’s record; it made Meyer a legend in Columbus.
Eventually, Meyer stepped down for health reasons. Ryan Day took over and kept the Buckeyes rolling, though things haven’t been quite as smooth against Michigan.
Ryan Day’s Challenge
Ryan Day’s overall record is solid, but his numbers against Michigan? Not so much. Heading into this year, he’s 1-4 versus the Wolverines.
A win on Saturday would help his case and keep Ohio State at the top heading into the Big Ten Championship. You can feel the pressure.
The Friendly Wager: Meyer vs. Portnoy
Urban Meyer and Dave Portnoy’s bet is simple: $1,000 to the other school’s NIL fund, depending on who wins. If Michigan comes out on top, Meyer pays up to support their recruiting. If Ohio State finally gets the win, Portnoy will donate to the Buckeyes’ fund.
Rob Gronkowski as the Middleman
Gronkowski’s serving as the middleman here, which is just classic Gronk. It brings a bit more attention to the whole thing.
Meyer’s already talking some trash: *You won’t cash my check — I’m gonna cash your check.* You’ve got to love the confidence.
Implications for the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff
This isn’t just about bragging rights. Ohio State’s trying to keep that No. 1 ranking and finish the regular season undefeated.
If they lose, it’s not just the perfect season gone; it could also knock them out of the Big Ten title race. That would sting, especially since their last conference win was back in 2020.
College Football Playoff Considerations
Even if the Buckeyes drop this one, odds are they’d still land in the College Football Playoff. The road would get a little tougher, though, and they might slide down in the seeding.
For Michigan, a win here would be huge for their playoff hopes. It’d give their resume a serious boost, maybe even bump them up in the rankings.
Final Thoughts
The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry just keeps pulling people in. Every year, it’s a big deal, but honestly, this matchup feels like it’s on another level.
There’s a lot riding on it. A friendly bet between two well-known personalities has fans buzzing, and the outcome could shake up both the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.
Everyone’s going to be glued to Ann Arbor this Saturday, no doubt about it. If you want to dig into the details of the wager or dive into the rivalry’s wild history, the full article’s over at Newsweek.
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