Ann Arbor, MI — It has been 2,000 days since the Michigan Wolverines suffered a loss against that club in Columbus. A previously unimaginable assertion has become a defining theme of the Jim Harbaugh era: Michigan domi
/nates Ohio State. The streak is more than just a stroke of luck; it represents a legacy of toughness, precision, and a total culture change in Ann Arbor. Today, we commemorate a streak that reshaped the story of The Game, flipped recruitment battles, and reestablished Michigan as college football’s blue blood.
Let’s take a look at each of Michigan’s victories over the last four years, where they not only beat but crushed Ohio State.
November 27, 2021: Michigan 42, Ohio State 27 (Ann Arbor).
The streak-breaker. After years of grief and disappointment, Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines have turned the tide. Michigan snapped an eight-game losing run to Ohio State with a thumping victory, thanks to Hassan Haskins’ five rushing touchdowns and Aidan Hutchinson’s unrelenting pressure off the edge. The snow fell in the Big House like a Hollywood movie, and the Wolverines rushed for 297 yards behind one of the nation’s greatest offensive lines. The victory earned Michigan its first Big Ten East title and a trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship.
“Maybe now our critics will be quiet,” Harbaugh remarked later. And he was correct.
November 26, 2022: Michigan 45, Ohio State 23. (Columbus)
Many referred to it as a fluke. Michigan called it incentive. A year after breaking the streak, the Wolverines entered the Horseshoe and humiliated the Buckeyes in front of their own fans. With top running back Blake Corum hurt, Donovan Edwards exploded for 216 yards and two late-game touchdowns to seal the victory. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy tossed three touchdown passes, one of which was 75 yards long, and ran for another as Michigan startled the No. 2 Buckeyes with huge play after big play. This was Michigan’s first victory in Columbus since 2000.
Ohio State was surprised. Michigan? Empowered. The Michigan Wolverines won the Big Ten Championship twice in a row.
November 25, 2023: Michigan 30, Ohio State 24 (Ann Arbor)
This was a conflict. With Jim Harbaugh sidelined due to Big Ten infractions, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore stepped over and gave a poised, professional coaching performance. McCarthy once again played clean, efficient football, and Blake Corum scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Will Johnson’s early interception set the tone, and Michigan’s defense kept Ohio State’s powerful attack in check when it counted the most.
Rod Moore’s interception of Kyle McCord in the final minutes secured the victory, sending the Big House into jubilation. McCarthy led the Wolverines to a 3-0 record in The Game.
November 30, 2024: Michigan 31, Ohio State 20 (Columbus).
The Wolverines returned to Columbus full of confidence, and they delivered again. With Harbaugh back on the sidelines and a veteran team hungry for a national championship, Michigan dominated Ohio State in the trenches. McCarthy threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns, and Michigan’s defense sacked Devin Brown five times. Michigan played more physical, disciplined football for the fourth year in a row, leaving Ohio State with more questions.
This was Michigan’s first four-year winning streak against Ohio State since 1991-94, but it felt considerably more momentous in 2024.
Harbaugh’s Legacy and the Rise of Michigan Football
In many respects, Jim Harbaugh’s legacy lives on via these four wins. Harbaugh was sometimes derided for his troubles against Ohio State, but he steadily developed a culture based on toughness, player development, and belief. He empowered coordinators such as Sherrone Moore and Jesse Minter, developed offensive lines that won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards, and recruited players who were as concerned with upsetting Ohio State as they were with hoisting trophies.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who went 3-0 against Ohio State, cemented his place in Wolverine history. Running backs like Haskins, Corum, and Edwards went crazy. The defense, whether led by Hutchinson or Junior Colson, demonstrated that Michigan could match Ohio State’s speed with ferocity.
2,000 days and counting.
Today, as we commemorate 2,000 days of supremacy, Michigan supporters can enjoy more than just scoreboard victories. They’ve seen a cultural rebirth, a return to elite status, and a recapture of the Big Ten throne. From The Big House to the Horseshoe, from snow games to statement victories, this season has been spectacular.
And with another strong recruiting class, sustained coaching stability, and a culture that values accountability and tenacity, there’s no indication that the run will end anytime soon.
#GoBlue. Defeat Ohio forever.