The 10-Year War was a series of ten football games between Ohio State University and Michigan between 1969 and 1978. The game rotates between Columbus, Ohio, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Nearly every year during the 10-Year War the football game between Ohio State and the University of Michigan decided a Rose Bowl birth and often a national championship. During this period Ohio State was coached by the legendary Woody Hayes and the University of Michigan was coached by Bo Schembecler.
As described in the book Hayes wrote in 1973, Schembecler was on the football coaching staff at Ohio State before the 10-Year War, coaching underneath Hayes. They were good friends and Hayes helped Schembecler get the head coaching job at the Michigan in 1969. This article will review all of these games and conclude by stating that there is an ESPN documentary about the 10-Year War that is a good watch as you digest your turkey.
10 Year War Games
The first game in the 10-Year War took place in 1969, just after Scembcler was hired. The game took place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the University of Michigan upset No. 1 Ohio State 24-12. In 1970 Ohio State got revenge by beating the University of Michigan 20-9 in Columbus, Ohio. In 1971 the University of Michigan was ranked third in both the coaches and AP polls. Michigan held serve in Ann Arbor winning a hard-fought game 10-7. The following year Ohio State upset No. 3 Michigan by stopping them on the goal line twice en route to a 14-11 victory.
In 1973 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the 10-Year War continued and Ohio State and the University of Michigan tied 10-10. They went back to Columbus in 1974 where a one-loss Ohio State team was ranked No. 4 and an undefeated University of Michigan. Ohio State, with both Cornelius Greene and Archie Griffin (Griffin won the Heisman Trophy this year), won the game 12-10 on the strength of placekicker Thomas Klaban’s four field goals. Griffin was probably the best player in the history of the Ohio State and Michigan rivalry.
In 1975, Griffin won the Heisman Trophy again and both teams were undefeated, but Ohio State was the nation’s top team. Ohio State held serve and won the game for the second year in a row 21-14. In 1976, during America’s bicentennial year, Michigan shut out Ohio State 22-0. Schembecler had open heart surgery before the game and Hayes had a heart attack before the 1973 season. Such was the 10-Year War.
The Rivalry Continues
In 1977 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the University of Michigan earned a Rose Bowl birth by defeating Ohio State 14-6. Before this game Ohio State was ranked No. 4 in both polls and Michigan was ranked No. 5. In 1978, the final year of the 10-Year War Michigan again defeated Ohio State 14-3. They earned a trip to the Rose Bowl.
The 10-Year War would end following this season. Ohio State finished the regular season 7–3–1 and went to play Clemson in the Gator Bowl. Woody Hayes was fired as head coach for hitting Clemson middle guard Charlie Baumann in the neck after he intercepted Art Schlichter in the game. Hayes was fiery, to say the least. The incident ended Woody Hayes’ 28-year tenure at Ohio State.
Conclusion
Fans will probably never see another rivalry like Ohio State and Michigan from 1969-1978. The new 12-team College Football Playoff guarantees that. Ohio State and Michigan will renew their rivalry this coming Saturday in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. For an in-depth look at the 10-Year War check out the ESPN documentary.
