Ohio State vs. Michigan Rivalry: The NFL Draft Edition
By Erik Lambert
Auburn and Alabama may get the hype lately for their Iron Bowl thrillers, but the greatest rivalry in college football history belongs to Ohio State vs. Michigan.
It’s an annual contest that began way back in 1897 and over the course of more than a century has quite often decided who will be the national champion in a given year. The cross-border animosity is real and has led to more than a few fights and off the field. Buckeyes fanatics hate Michigan for their elitist attitudes and stealing Ohio-native players. Wolverine warriors hate Ohio State for being backwater bumpkins who have no business running an actual college program.
The two sides always go back and forth about which football heritage is better. Each has certain good points. Michigan holds the overall rivalry edge 58-47-6. However, Ohio State has a 7-1 advantage in national championships since 1950. So is there another way to settle this debate?
How about the NFL draft, the pinnacle of a college football player’s career? The follow list will detail program success through a variety of categories. Whomever comes out ahead in the majority wins that argument for their program.
1st Round Picks
- Michigan: 44
- Ohio State: 76
Total Players Drafted
- Michigan: 361
- Ohio State: 430
Pro Bowlers
- Michigan: 27
- Ohio State: 43
Hall of Famers
- Michigan: 3
- Ohio State: 5
Best Overall Player
- Michigan: Tom Brady
- Ohio State: Jim Parker
There really is no getting around it. Since the draft began way back in 1936, Ohio State vs. Michigan has been largely one-sided in favor of the Buckeyes. They hold considerable advantages in 1st round pick, total players selected and Pro Bowlers. The one victory the Wolverines can claim is producing the best player out of the entire rivalry. Jim Parker was a tremendous left tackle, but Tom Brady might be the best quarterback in NFL history.
No doubt this is just more fuel to throw on the fire. The 2016 version of this classic rivalry is shaping up to be one of the biggest in its history. There’s talent across the board, two great coaches and plenty of stakes. Both programs are in line to make the college football playoffs if they win. It should be an incredible atmosphere.