The 100-Yard War: Inside the 100-Year-Old Michigan-Ohio State Football Rivalry

On November 22, 2003, Michigan Stadium was bursting with over 112,000 people, officially the largest crowd to ever watch a football game on a college campus. The anticipation was palpable; the energy, intense. On this momentous day, the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State University Buckeyes squared off for the one-hundredth time in "the Game"-an annual contest so important that the conference championship, an invitation to the national championship game, and, most importantly, bragging rights for rabid fans were all on the line-once again. This is a rivalry so primal that ESPN branded it the greatest in sports history. And it is a contest so memorable that it could never be labeled as "just another football game"-it is a hundred-yard war. In this vibrant account, Greg Emmanuel brings to life more than a century of bitter competition between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines. The 100-Yard War delves into the compelling history behind the legendary rivalry that began with the first UM--OSU game in 1897. From celebrated games such as the "Snow Bowl" of 1950, the unbelievable upset of 1969, and the controversial 10--10 tie of 1973 to the unforgettable matchups between two of the sport's greatest (and most colorful) coaches, Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes, you'll go behind the scenes as combatants on both sides relive the memories in their own words. Almost the only thing greater than the animosity between these two teams is the subculture of fanaticism that surrounds it. The passion for "the Game" has frequently boiled over and, on occasion, the results have been dangerous and destructive. Emmanuel explores the fierce devotion of the fans who have repeatedly packed the huge stadiums in Ann Arbor and Columbus to witness college football's most famous grudge match. From the campus pre-game parties to the post-game celebrations (and riots), you'll see how, on one particular Saturday near the end of November, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and even lovers can find themselves enemies for a day. You'll also experience the excitement and the tension of the 2003 season as the teams march toward the huge milestone of the one-hundredth game, described in thrilling detail from the coin toss to the final play. You'll be there as the players meet again on the field to the cheers and jeers of an enormous crowd . . . and as the fans, with their hearts in their throats, sing the fight songs and fervently hope for yet another victory. Infused with the love of the game and the indomitable spirit of every Buckeye and Wolverine fan, The 100-Yard War is a testament to the legacy of every player who ever donned an Ohio State or Michigan jersey-and every person who ever cheered them on.