Ep 21. 1997 Ohio State at Michigan

The Big Ten's Greatest Games is a sports documentary series that takes viewers on a trip down memory lane, highlighting some of the most memorable college football games in Big Ten history. Season 1, episode 21 features the highly anticipated matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines in 1997.

The episode begins by setting the stage for this classic showdown between two of the Big Ten's top programs. Ohio State and Michigan were both coming off of successful seasons, with Ohio State finishing 10-3 the previous year and Michigan finishing 8-4. The Buckeyes were led by head coach John Cooper and quarterback Joe Germaine, while the Wolverines were led by head coach Lloyd Carr and Heisman Trophy candidate Charles Woodson.

As both teams took the field, it was clear that this was going to be a hard-fought battle. The Wolverines struck first, with Woodson returning a punt 78 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter. However, Ohio State quickly responded with a touchdown of their own, and the game remained tied at 7-7 going into halftime.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows. Ohio State took the lead early in the third quarter with a touchdown pass from Germaine to receiver David Boston, but Michigan responded with a touchdown of their own to tie the game at 14-14. From there, the game became a defensive slugfest, with both teams making key stops to keep the game deadlocked.

With just over a minute left in the game, Ohio State had the ball and a chance to win. Germaine led the Buckeyes down the field, completing several key passes to keep the drive alive. With just seconds remaining, he connected with receiver Demetrius Stanley for the game-winning touchdown, giving Ohio State a 20-14 victory.

The episode concludes by reflecting on the importance of this game in Big Ten history. The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is one of the most heated in college football, and this game was a prime example of that. It was an intense battle between two highly skilled teams, and it ultimately came down to a few key plays. For Ohio State fans, this game will always be remembered as one of the greatest in the program's history.