Is Michigan Versus Ohio State The Greatest Sports Rivalry Of Them All? | The Rich Eisen Show

[@docrob2236]

Yes. It’s called THE Game for a reason.

[@Kubush1]

College football is meaningless.. exhibition football on the same level as UFL/XFL

[@canwolf1]

Argentina-Brazil in football (soccer), Barcelona-Real Madrid, Boca Juniors-River Plate are all massive. In American sports though, UM-OSU is probably the biggest

[@TinyMessages]

UM vs OSU is the greatest rivalry. Although, I am a UM fan. I respect every OSU fan. Including my uncle and first cousin. Live and let live -- and let’s all work to be the greatest!!! Bring it on! Do better than yesterday!✊🏾

[@DawgPoundStoner1252]

I can't really speak for non football sports But there is No Greater Rivalry in College Football than Thee Ohio State Buckeyes vs The Michigan Wolverines, at Best Army/Navy comes in 2nd

[@tharp630]

Red river is definitely better than army navy

[@OdawaTraveler]

The University of Michigan vs. An Ohio State University.

[@DawgPoundStoner1252]

@@OdawaTraveler you mean the university of ShitAgain and Thee Ohio State University right?

[@SG-jv5zi]

You spelled "the" wrong...there is only one 'e'

[@SG-jv5zi]

More like The University of Win-again...what , has it been over like 1,500 days now....@@DawgPoundStoner1252

[@Target_Buster]

Celtics vs Lakers for me. As a basketball history nerd nothing tops seeing a Finals between the two, and the numerous hall of famers who battled for both in multiple eras.

[@ScorpionRage-he2os]

I miss the Kobe days man. Kobe/Pau vs the big 3 of the Celtics😢

[@carpetbuddy]

For TJ to say Eisen is the reason people watch The Game is the most ignorant thing I've ever heard 😂😂😂

[@markkoep4336]

It's the best because it happens every year, and only once a year, and typically has a direct impact on playoff and the national championship. It will be unfortuante if/when the game is played multiple times and the thanksgiving weekend game means very little.

[@jakeMontejo3272]

For us NYers : Yankees vs R. S. That said, growing up I don’t remember anything on TV bigger than Michigan vs Ohio. My father used to watch it and he didn’t even like college football, it was just always on TV every year on ABC. Bars in Manhattan on that Saturday always had a big crowd & usually at least a small group of alumni, it’s been like this for my whole life even when Michigan sucked for the past 20 years. No other college game ever had the same vibe here. Texas vs Sooners, Bama vs Auburn isn’t even in the same league here. Maybe Notre Dame and USC is second, because there’s a strong ND base here too. It’s almost like a multi generational thing for casual fans who didn’t even go to the schools or are even from the Midwest.

[@eduardomorales5185]

The dude with a sting poster! Is he a wrestling fan?? If so, amazing!

[@williamgravley3033]

Huge wrestling fan

[@FleetStBarber]

Yes, it is.

[@Mrfootball-p9t]

Yes it is

[@kadijadeen2724]

It doesn't matter which sport we're playing, Michigan vs OSU is going to be a game that grabs the attention.

[@arjunkishore4080]

As a Michigan alumni, I am heavily biased, but even still, I feel that El Classico is the biggest rivalry in sports. That rivalry transcends sports

[@dankofdaday]

Tf is el classico?

[@arjunkishore4080]

@@dankofdaday a game between c Barcelona and Real Madrid that averages 6 times the viewership numbers of the Super Bowl

[@robertwilhelm8436]

Superclasico, El Clasico, the Old Firm. There's rivalries in other sports that are older than the sport of American Football.

[@gregschulte2953]

No one cares about soccer in the US

[@catherineogurutis6115]

Ohio State played Michigan at football before the first El Clasico matchup was played, please educate yourself

[@robertwilhelm8436]

@@catherineogurutis6115 I didn't reference a specific rivalry. Merely stated there are rivalries that are older. Learn to read.

[@robertwilhelm8436]

@@catherineogurutis6115 Also, the first Old Firm was in 1888. Educate yourself

[@nicklutu]

This is the one rivalry I can’t wait to watch. There’s nothing else like it

[@bglrj]

All Michigan all the time.

[@DucksGamedayBreakdown]

GO BLUE 💙💙💙

[@RealRobbyRobb]

Barcelona vs Real Madrid clearly

[@jeromemaida4933]

Red Sox vs. Yankees. Lakers versus Celtics. Giants versus Eagles.

[@amirsyoutube9518]

I’m a Michigan grad and love the rivalry, but if you leave the US, Barcelona v. Madrid is another level. The whole world tunes into those games.

[@davidcutcher4620]

Hands down mich vs. O st. Is the biggest

[@pretzelhunt]

biggest isnt greatest.

[@GoBlue02]

I’m a Michigan fan Rich, and I know the penalty you’re talking about in the 2006 game… sorry man, that was a penalty. It was Shawn Crable, and he hit Troy Smith late out of bounds like an idiot, led to the game sealing touchdown for OSU…

[@jeffe_77]

American Sports perhaps. Worldwide, a regular season match between Real Madrid vs Barcelona garners 3-4 times the viewship of the Super Bowl.

[@SmashTheNumbers]

Rich: It has been 1574 days since OSU beat Michigan at football. All of these non-college football rivarlies are NOT "All or Nothing". These games happen once per year and only once at home every year. They are very scarce. The winner of the game ruins the loser's season. Pro-Football, Baseball, College or Pro Basketball, and Soccer do not compare to this. The new college football playoff format will diminish this going forward. Most years, both teams will get into the 12 team playoffs and the loser of the game could still go further in the playoffs than the winner. Michigan may have won the last "The Games". Going forward, it may just be "A Game".

[@edwardrichardson9543]

Texas-Oklahoma isn’t far behind and Duke-UNC basketball too

[@SurfTheSkyline]

In terms of soccer Real Madrid vs Barcelona definitely has a palpable hatred like U of M vs OSU, the moniker "El Clásico" has vibes akin to "The Game", and the geopolitical tensions between the two clubs and their fan bases cannot be understated and put the bad blood regarding the toldedo war to shame. As a fan of U of M and Real Madrid I am definitely biased, but I think they have the two best rivalries in sports and it comes down to what one personally values in a rivalry to say which edges the other out.

[@jazzypoppy-u4g]

Michigan vs OSU is the best rivalry in sports right now because of the stakes involved. Hopefully the expanded playoffs doesnt change that

[@Mrfootball-p9t]

It probably will not only that but it will make the star players sit out because they don’t want to get injured before the playoffs because it means a guaranteed playoff spot

[@sleazytooez2313]

It will. With the expansion 1 and 2 loss teams will start getting in. Even Stroud’s last year they lost and still got in

[@milozdu1366]

Boca Juniors & River Plate have entered the chat

[@sheneedsme]

What??😂😂😂 Never heard of either of those teams. Girls soccer teams? Lacrosse? Water polo?

[@milozdu1366]

​@sheneedsme It's a ferocious 120 year old rivalry between two Buenos Aries teams. It's often cited as one of the most dangerous sporting events to attend due the intense hatred of the fans based on class-divides and city boundary disputes.

[@dancz11]

No doubt

[@pokeroots2]

Barcelona and Real Madrid is by far the right answer, Ohio State/Michigan might be the best rivalry in college football or maybe even in all of the US. but it's certainly not competing with any of the soccer rivalries in Europe. India v Pakistan in soccer and cricket also is up there past any of the US rivalries.

[@clarencewalder2985]

Maybe true because most any body can play that sport vs football only a select few can stand the physical aspect

[@Herron78]

Yeah! Meant the most when it ended others season. Now it will be little watered down.

[@raewallace8711]

Roma vs lazio,celtic vs rangers,ac milan vs inter milan,boca vs river........Soccer> all other sports

[@gregschulte2953]

Nobody cares about soccer in this country

[@pete2derp]

@@gregschulte2953 they say "in sports", not in America.

[@leojanuszewski1019]

Grown men wearing shorts and kicking a ball is not a sport.

[@phillipmiller3076]

Oh please. Real Madrid v Barcelona. Next.

[@oberyn5474]

No one cares about soccer here lmao

[@sheneedsme]

🥱 Are those soccer teams? Girls? Nobody from here care about that at all.

[@TheStrategist314]

Barcelona v. Real Madrid is far and away the number 1. Period.

[@gregschulte2953]

Who?

[@Halvor80]

haha

[@darthvaper1721]

Pretty sure Real Madrid & Barcelona would disagree

[@sheneedsme]

Pretty sure no one in the US cares about that or even knows they are soccer teams. Real mean play American football, not a game that little girls play.

[@darthvaper1721]

@@sheneedsme real men can spell men!

[@blakelemmons6235]

Im not sure how OU texass didn't get mentioned

[@richardguerin8073]

Army-Navy

[@YaboiPerky]

Not even close little fella

[@pretzelhunt]

where I buy my glowsticks?

[@joshuabennett8110]

When you have a series known as "The Game" it kinda sells itself. Im bias, grew up in Toledo and it's an unofficial holiday when it comes around. Respect and total hatred for BRUTUS....GGGGGOOOOOOO BBBLLUUUEEE!

[@kennethcamilleri4678]

Steelers verses Ravens…..I know this has not been around for hundreds of years….I take quality over quantity…there is no better rivalry…..every game seems to be decided in the last minute or overtime…. no matter home or away….regular season or playoff ….there are few if any blowouts in this rivalry ….

[@katza831]

Bengals steelers has more bad blood to me but that coulda just been vintage burfict

[@palindrome1023]

@@katza831 Ravens-Steelers is a rivalry based on hatred but there's respect int hat hatred. Bengals-Steelers is a much more personal rivalry because of recent on field things, namely the Burfict hit on AB

[@MichaelScott-uv1bt]

Texas vs Oklahoma

[@ericriffel8954]

I m a huge Michigan fan. My dad is a big Ohio St fan. I can tell you it's a real rivalry. After the disrespect Ohio St showed this last season, it has elevated to hate. That being said, I have lived in North Carolina for the past 45 years, and I can say that the rivalry between UNC and Duke in basketball may be just as intense.

[@noahstrehle3423]

Not mentioning Auburn and Alabama in football is crazy

[@Dehumanized33]

4:44

[@gregschulte2953]

Regional rivalry, no one outside of the sec cares

[@carlofilippini1809]

Also Auburn is no blue blood

[@MarkyMark1221]

Auburn is a regional brand if one or both teams are not a contender no one cares. Umich and Ohio are both tier 1 national brands/blue bloods. Top 3 in wins, win %, and top 5 in revenue/brand value. Plus the game is the most watched regular season game (including conference champ games) just about every year

[@calvinhilton7069]

"What are you doing to beat Ohio State today?" Let this weight room motto stand as THE RIVALRY never left. THE RIVALRY was the definitive drive to reestablish THE RIVALRY.

[@_juicejames]

Most competitive maybe, but the Iron Bowl is still the greatest rivalry all time

[@clarencewalder2985]

No

[@sheneedsme]

I don’t think so since I can’t even tell you who plays in that game and I have been following sports for 60 years 😂 Go Blue!

[@buckeyenation7322]

Richie with the excuses from 2006 LOL

[@CesarM780]

Yankees Red Sox

[@tharp630]

Red river has always been hot

[@Est.1998]

It always has been.

[@buckhorncortez]

India vs Pakistan in soccer or cricket.

[@vonBlashyrkh]

This.

[@blakelemmons6235]

Or, just in general...

[@Bentendo1287]

Even though I am a Michigan fan, I would say it just as the greatest rivalry in NCAA sports

[@Montuckz]

i am a huge UM fan but that was definitely a late hit out of bounds by Crable(?) in 06. we had the momentum until that play. JT was SHORT!

[@eleyboy88]

soccer, celtic vs rangers. same city, always for the title, hatred for each other with religious aspect, has it all for a true rivalry

[@johnscott7791]

Texas vs Oklahoma Football. But, there is no one best answer. It depends on what part of the world you grew up in.

[@danielallenbutler1782]

Army vs. Navy is THE biggest rivalry in college football, hands down. What sets it apart from the likes of the Michigan vs Ohio State rivalry is there isn't any genuine hatred involved -- it's simply two teams of badasses (and just try to convince me the choice of profession for the young men from both academies doesn't automatically qualify them as badasses!) who want the inter-service bragging rights out of sheer loyalty to their schools and branches of service. (I'm a US Army vet, so I confess to a possible bias here, although I also come from a U of M family, so let's call that a wash.) Very, very few of those young men will ever go on to multi-million dollar careers in the NFL, and their teams are, by collegiate standards, usually pretty mediocre, but for both teams, come the first Saturday in December, those teams are playing for what, to them, is the NCAA National Championship and the Super Bowl combined. No matter what their respective records might be going into the game, defeating the other academy is all that matters, it's what they've worked for the entire year -- everything else is irrelevant. No self-respecting dogface wants to lose to a bunch of squids, and no self-repecting squid wants to lose to a bunch of dogfaces. Oo-ah and Go Blue!

[@OdawaTraveler]

Army and Navy football doesn't even matter anymore. The teams both suck and the play is boring. Also, young people aren't as brainwashed as people for prior generations who believe the armed forces were a beacon of hope when, in reality, it's a terrorist organization. The US army used terror to steal Indigenous land! They'll always be a terrorist organization, just as Army vs. Navy will continue to be a relic of the past.

[@grahamhallman243]

Dude, I'm a vet, stop overrating us, albeit I get it. So many serve our country in other capacities and don't get nearly as much hype. Civil service goes way beyond the militar. OSU v Michigan, well these players are often playing professionally a couple of years later and this is a sport's rivalry, not what you're going to do after you hang up the shoes. This game has produces so many NC"s over the past 100 years and some of the greatest players in the NFL. The rivalry also highlights greater histories of these two states beyond football that goes back to militias dividing up territories (Toledo). In other words, state politics, economics, and beyond. No less than 100lk fans watch "The Game" each year.

[@danielallenbutler1782]

@@grahamhallman243 Dude, I could agree with you, but if I did, then we'd both be wrong....

[@grahamhallman243]

@@danielallenbutler1782 Another amazing stat behind The Game: OSU and Mi have the 2 highest winning %'s in FBS: 1) OSU and 2) Michigan. Michigan did get to 1000 wins this year, first FBS program. But OSU will hit 100 within the next 2-3 years. There are many other noteworthy stats that highlight this rivalry as well: total NFL draft picks, first round picks, All Americans, Heisman Trophy winners, number of times both teams were ranked when playing each other (remarkably frequent considering The Game is the last regular season game of the year), etc. - and these metrics simply exceed what Army v. Navy offers. Unfair to even compare, really. Btw, no wrong or right answer here at the end of the day. If you love the purity of amateur football, academic prestige, and public service: Army v. Navy for sure. But there are metrics I cited that carry more weight if you want to objectively rank FBS rivalries. I'd definitely consider the Iron Bowl, Red River Rivalry and USC v. ND more worthy comparisons than Army v. Navy. - Semper FI

[@RESTER415]

Barca-Real Madrid is better in every way. But US Sports fans live in a bubble

[@michaelb3927]

Steelers vs Ravens

[@AntiMTVMovement]

I think LSU-Bama was the biggest rivalry of the 2010s

[@danconway9633]

#1 vs #2 in 2006 Ohio State won 42-39. You went down the field and scored on your opening possession 7-0. After that, Ohio State scored 21 in a row. Taking the lead, and never getting it back. The terrible penalty was with Ohio State up 35-31 late which allowed them to score 42-31 before you tacked on one late, went for two, onside kick recovery for the Buckeyes, who ran out the clock.

[@danconway9633]

It was Shawn Crable not Woodley. You hit a quarterback in the head, and after he's thrown the ball, you are going to get called.

[@joelle4662]

College and community rivalries are always better than franchise "rivalries", I'm just saying....

[@W.TX806]

There's no such thing as "The Greatest Rivalry." Each person, each fan, has his or her own very personal definition. I expect Rich Eisen to believe, or at least feel, that Michigan vs. Ohio State IS the greatest. These discussions are (often) just a subtle form of trash talking that apply to an egotistical minority. I've never watched Michigan play OSU in anything. I'd rather rake leaves. Actually, in my mind, Ohio State isn't "OSU" at all... Oklahoma State is OSU. I care about my team playing teams I care about beating... end of story. If I have to choose from teams I don't care about, I'll still take Duke vs North Carolina in basketball.

[@gregschulte2953]

Just look at the tv/streaming ratings. It’s Michigan OSU every year

[@W.TX806]

@@gregschulte2953 bigger than the Super Bowl? You might want to check soccer ratings... Are you possibly a Michigan or Ohio State fan? As I said, a form of trash talk. I'll trust you on the college football ratings, at least recently, but there are way more fans that don't watch that game. Great history, great tradition, I'm not trying to denigrate that; but I doubt it has been the most watched game every year throughout history. Maybe it is, I don't know.

[@W.TX806]

@@gregschulte2953 I want to say, I've sounded negative and critical here. I apologize. If someone is a Michigan or Ohio State fan, he/she has every right to be proud of this great rivalry.

[@gregschulte2953]

@@W.TX806never said I was a fan. Just looking at ratings, this rivalry has by far the largest regular season & conference championship audience in the US by far. Just looking at what most people tune into.

[@W.TX806]

@@gregschulte2953 fair enough

[@bradg5000]

I don’t think it’s close . Definitely the best

[@bradmurray7362]

Ohio State was up by 4 points with 6 minutes to go with the ball in 2006 when Shawn Crable hit Troy Smith out of bounds. They weren’t winning at the point lol

[@HailGrindKing]

Steelers Ravens

[@sheneedsme]

Don’t think that makes the top ten

[@drewby613]

‘Bama Auburn?

[@ninebar2011]

The greatest rivalry all time is Rangers-Celtic, it goes beyond sport.

[@vicksburgtomplsthemississi9127]

Whenever this topic is raised, I have to remember this show doesn't really follow soccer. USMNT v Mexico tops a few that they named. That isn't even near the top of soccer rivalries.

[@westernmialumni5428]

Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry 1990's

[@williammasters1620]

Im hardcore sec guy but this is my favorite rivalry! Although it may fall off without harbaugh

[@danieldenny-z6n]

Auburn vs Alabama

[@DawgPoundStoner1252]

I can see how sec fans might pick that one but in all fairness there is no better rivalry than The Ohio State Buckeyes vs The Michigan Wolverines!!!

[@Nick-fz2oo]

hahahahaha yeah okay. Y’all down south don’t have a clue son.

[@cellamuert]

I dont think its even close. But im also biased

[@gerstell]

Yes

[@mylitcig1116]

In the U.S? Yes.

[@schaaf9637]

It always amuses me when American Media talk "Sports" and just look at American Sports. Did you guys ever hear of Argentinian Football Rivalry? Or Turkish Football Rivalry or Spanish? So don't phrase it "Greatest Sports Rivalry of them all" and then just stick in your same old American Bubble.

[@clarencewalder2985]

Probably not BUT u can go on those site and ask that question or country

[@sheneedsme]

Sorry never heard of any of them 🤷‍♂️

[@bfegypt13]

If you want animosity, both between the fans and the players, there is no rivalry that holds a candle to Auburn vs. Alabama. It transcends football, too. The hatred is real, and visceral.

[@katza831]

The iron bowl got mike shula fired at 49 and 23 record because he lost 4 times in a row to auburn, which made alabama go out and get saban to terrorize the rest of college football

[@IAmAMeateater]

Obviously

[@conradandrei7569]

I know you guys almost never cover the NHL, but the best sports rivalry is the Battle of Alberta between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.

[@katza831]

Auburn vs alabama since 2000 auburn has won as many championships as Michigan and bama has won more than Ohio state and Michigan combined. Has 2 of the greatest ending of all time with punt bama punt, the kick six, shiot just last year, bama won it with 32 secs left after a 4th and 31

[@katza831]

There is the cam Newton game, 2019 where tua is hurt and Mac Jones loses 48 to 45 after a missed bama field goal,

[@sheneedsme]

Sorry nobody outside of Alabama cares. Auburn? Really? 😂

[@katza831]

@@sheneedsme it's more about national championships

[@katza831]

@@sheneedsme no other rivalry in ncaa has as many championships last 25 years

[@katza831]

@sheneedsme only north carolina vs. Duke rivalry in basketball is even close in championships last 25 years

[@OdawaTraveler]

Chris Brockman is one annoying dude.

[@dancz11]

Michigan Ohio State is national. Others are regional

[@laxin1231]

if were talking ‘rivalries in all sports’ to not mention the Superclasico between Bocas and River Plate, or the Old Firm between Celtic and rangers, let alone the rivalries some german clubs have, is crazy. The Superclassico shuts down the capital of Argentina. the government deploys all of its riot cops. No college sport rivalry even comes close. I mean hell, the army used to get deployed to Glasgow when celtic played rangers.

[@alaskanyeti907]

Dodgers and the Giants still hate each other's guts

[@dkstewy]

Typically parochial American view, though they did mention soccer rivalries. Have they not heard of 'El Clasico' (Real Madrid/Barcelona for the ignorant), Inter/AC Milan, Celtic/Rangers LIverpool/Everton, ... so many in Europe let alone S. America. Then cricket (India/Pakistan!!), rugby (N.Zealand/S.Africa) let alone Nadal/Federer/Djokovic!

[@sheneedsme]

Actually no, like most Americans never heard of most of those teams and could not care less about them. 🤷‍♂️

[@dkstewy]

@@sheneedsme and the followers of those soccer teams, especially in the case of Real Madrid and Barcelona, who number in the 100s of millions and come from almost all around the world know nothing of Ohio and Michigan, whose supporters rank in a few million at best. After all a lot of college football supporters hate those two college programs. So no comparison. While February's Super Bowl drew 115 million viewers in the US and 56 million internationally, El Clásico, which happens at least twice per year, is watched in more than 185 countries with a potential audience of 650 million viewers. A recent India-Pakistan cricket set the global on-demand streaming record, drawing 35 million concurrent viewers, the 2023 Super Bowl had 7 million. According to a report from Sports Media Watch, Michigan's 30-24 win against Ohio State on FOX's "Big Noon Saturday" broadcast averaged 19.07-million viewers: the largest audience for the matchup since the No. 1 Buckeyes beat the No. 2 Wolverines 42-39 in 2006, which had 21.04 million viewers. Maybe the greatest sports rivalry in the US, but nowhere near of them all! Enough said!

[@pretzelhunt]

lol speak for yourself@@sheneedsme you have no clue

[@georgemcduffey2622]

This is silly. The "Greatest Sports Rivalry" is every sports rivalry.

[@andrewalkema7239]

OSU UofM is the greatest of all time, but nothing beats the Avs Red Wings of the late 90s, early 2000s

[@Captaintomacus]

Its pretty laughable to call a rivialry between two colleges the greatest rivalry when around the world there are so many great examples. Rivalries that are stand-ins for centuries old conflicts and grudges, the old firm derby between celtic and rangers has its roots in the religious and political turmoil from the 16th and 17th centuries. The rivialry between Australia and england in cricket is about to hit 150 years old with the first series being played in 1877. Pakistan and India cant even organise series between themselves as theres so much bad blood so they only every play at international cups, and that coversabout a fifth of the worlds population.

[@TDC5]

well, what is it? "best now" or best all-time". nothing touches yankees/red sox imo. not even close.

[@chrisgray2824]

Put Michigan Ohio State 2 miles apart.....youll get the North London Derby...

[@mattthomson4905]

Army navy

[@conrailhbgline]

Army/Navy in everything

[@cope4288]

No

[@Ksams098]

No.

[@rickpidcock7094]

It was. But UM hasn’t been relevant for years. They will soon be vacating the wins from the last three years. Cheaters are never relevant longterm.

[@TY9941_]

wa wa waaaaa 🍼 there's your bottle

[@ryanpoole6743]

in all sports ill give Bears vs Packers and leave it at that because it allways feel personal somehow everytime they face each other. As a Bears fan of course I say this.

[@alwillmu]

Cute Rich Eisen

[@dmd2652]

Yes baseball doesn't count😂

[@Kubush1]

College football is meaningless.. exhibition football on the same level as UFL/XFL

[@nysguy07]

Both schools just fired their BB coaches so I would say no. Great start to the new football coaching staff with your D Line coach resigning due to a DWI. Michigan really knows how to select leaders who set examples for young men. Guessing you won’t be covering this story…

[@DonovanEdwardsEnjoyer]

Not much of a rivalry tbh. Michigan owns those bozos

[@reaganhall4779]

Ohio wipes standing up