BREAKING: 1997 Days and Counting—Ohio State Still Searching for a Win Over Michigan as Wolverines Continue Their Dominance in Rivalry’s New Era

It’s been 1,997 days since Ohio State last beat Michigan in “The Game,” and for the Wolverines, every one of them has felt sweeter than the last. A rivalry that once felt lopsided in favor of the Buckeyes has undergone a seismic shift, with Michigan flipping the script and establishing a new era of dominance.

The last time Ohio State celebrated a victory over Michigan was on November 30, 2019. At that point, the Buckeyes had won 15 of the last 16 meetings and looked like the perennial kings of the Big Ten. Michigan fans wondered if the tide would ever turn. Then came 2021—and everything changed.

In a snowy showdown in Ann Arbor, Michigan finally broke the streak. With a relentless run game and a physical defense, the Wolverines powered their way to a 42-27 win, igniting celebrations not seen in years. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. And they didn’t stop there.

The following year, in 2022, Michigan marched into Columbus and handed Ohio State a humbling 45-23 loss, marking the first back-to-back victories for the Wolverines in the rivalry since 1999–2000. Suddenly, Michigan wasn’t just beating Ohio State—they were dismantling them. The Wolverines’ blend of toughness, discipline, and explosive playmaking overwhelmed the Buckeyes, whose identity as Big Ten bullies began to crumble.

In 2023, Michigan made it three in a row. With the pressure of both national expectations and NCAA investigations swirling around the program, the Wolverines held strong, edging Ohio State 30-24 in a tense battle that solidified their grip on the Big Ten throne and earned them a third straight trip to the College Football Playoff. For Michigan fans, the victory was especially sweet, as it came despite mounting off-field drama, interim coaches, and a relentless media spotlight.

Now, as we reach 1,997 days and counting, the contrast between the two programs couldn’t be starker. Michigan, under Jim Harbaugh and now Sherrone Moore, has rediscovered its identity: run-first, defensively tough, and mentally unshakable. Ohio State, meanwhile, is searching—searching for answers, for toughness, and most of all, for a way to beat Michigan again.

The rivalry has always defined legacies, shaped seasons, and crowned champions. But today, it’s Michigan who wears the crown, not just as Big Ten champions, but as the standard-bearer in college football’s fiercest feud. The Wolverines’ resurgence has not only rewritten the rivalry’s recent narrative but also reenergized a fan base that spent much of the 2000s in the Buckeyes’ shadow.

As the countdown continues to the next chapter of The Game, one number lingers: 1,997. That’s not just the number of days since Ohio State’s last win—it’s a symbol of how much has changed, how far Michigan has come, and how long the Buckeyes have waited for payback.

For now, the Wolverines have the scoreboard, the streak, and the swagger. And with each passing day, the rivalry grows more intense—and more one-sided.