photo credit: Rylee Bokesch
Of all the many Ohio sports rivalries, the most celebrated is the age-old battle between The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan. The annual football game gathers millions of viewers each year with the 2023 match amassing a record-breaking total of 19.07 million television viewers and another 110,615 stadium spectators, according to Cleveland.com.
Of all the games the OSU football team plays, the Michigan v. Ohio State game has traditionally been the most expensive and sought after, tickets for next week’s game are now available on Ticketmaster and are almost sold out. Prices vary between a “low” of $497 and a high of $5,275.
The rivalry dates back to Oct. 16, 1897, when an up-and-coming Ohio State traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan to play a match that would end in The University Michigan winning 34-0. Since their first match, the annual game has been a tradition between the two schools for around 119 years to date.
The historic battle splits both Ohio and Michigan with Buckeye and Wolverine fans spread throughout both states. Dubbed “The Game” by many sports outlets, the match takes place each year the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend and dominates TV . For some Ohioans, the rivalry means nothing, but for others the game is a personal battle. Among those with personal connection to the rivalry is senior Claire Hauzie.
“I am a fan of the Michigan Wolverines! My entire family have always been Wolverine fans, so I was born into it and raised that way,” Hauzie said.
The Hauzie family’s attachment to the Wolverines is seemingly sprung from their proximity to the University of Michigan campus.
“My parents are from Findlay, Ohio, which is about an hour and a half away from University of Michigan, so growing up they went to the football games with their parents, and they have passed their love of Michigan onto me and my brother,” Hauzie said.
On game day, many viewers have their own long term traditions. For the Hauzie family, making food is a large part of the day.
“My family and I love to make buffalo chicken dip for the game. It’s one of our favorite game day foods,” Hauzie said, “I always look forward to smelling it while it cooks because I know that it means we will be spending time together watching a sport we all love.”
Each OSU vs Michigan game, the Hauzie family does the same thing including making certain food, wearing festive clothes and traveling to watch the game with family. The traditions have been superstitious where they don’t want to change any routine or custom they’ve had.
“My family and I will usually watch the game at my grandparents’ house when we are all together. Then, after the first quarter we drive back to my house. We do this usually since we have been gone from home for Thanksgiving, and so we can have our buffalo chicken dip at home,” Hauzie said. “Before the game even starts, we all wear our Michigan jerseys and sweatshirts and then wear them the entire rest of the day, no matter the outcome of the game.”
“We will go out to dinner either to celebrate or talk about what the team did wrong and why we lost. Even though we get upset when we lose, it’s nice to spend quality time with family watching a game we always look forward to,” Hauzie said.
In terms of how Hauzie feels towards Ohio State, she said, “I definitely do not like Ohio State obviously because I am a Michigan fan. Of course, I want Michigan to win, and I am glad that we have for the past three years. However, this year is definitely a building year for Michigan and it’s not going very well for us this season. Ohio State has the best chance of winning, but I will still support my team no matter what!”.
Senior Kadyn McKinney and her family couldn’t disagree more. McKinney and her family are big Buckeye fans.
“I support Ohio State because they are my home team; both my parents went there, and my mom even works on campus now,” McKinney said.
On game day, McKinney plans a small gathering with family and friends where they’re ready to rally for the Buckeyes.
“We usually have a little get together with my family so we make a bunch of snacks and all watch the game in someone’s living room,” McKinney said.
McKinney wouldn’t consider herself a football person except when it comes to “the game”.
“I haven’t kept up with their games, but I know Ohio State is going to win,” McKinney said.
While it’s unknown who is going to win the upcoming game, one thing is clear each team has a fan base ready to support, whether it’s in a family living room or in the stands.
