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[Billy]

I absolutely will be rooting for State. Now if they were playing Michigan that would be a different story, but in this situation I have to go Big Ten.

[Keith_G]

Ok, so I miscounted. I just like M fans to realize certain things when they run their mouths.

Part of the reason M still holds that record is they've been playing longer than anyone and used to play more games a season than anyone else. I did the math and U of M has played for 128 seasons with 872 wins for ave wins per season of 6.85. OSU has played 118 seasons with 807 wins for an ave wins per season of 6.84. Its all in the way you look at things.

Also, I wasn't counting seasons at .500 as losing seasons.

[Collegekid]

Also, I wasn't counting seasons at .500 as losing seasons.

Neither was I, or OSU would have a lot more of them, and UM would have a few as well.

That database has also rationalized away at least 20 wins from UM according to the way he decided games to count. OSU was not on the list as having lost any.

Either way, UM's 8.65 is higher than OSU's 8.64. Using the Stassen's number though, just for fair comparrison, OSU averages 2.6 losses per season, while UM averages 2.3.

Over 115+ seasons each, that is a lot of games.

[T-M-T]

I just disregard most of the historic comparison stuff.  You can make valid arguments that either school has better traditions or a better record over time.

Fact is, both schools are outstanding academic institutions and they both have athletic records that they should be extremely proud of.

It is also important to note that neither school’s football program would be quite as legendary if it weren’t for the other school and the best rivalry in college football.

[Keith_G]

My statistical evidence was used to show if you evened out the number of seasons the difference in wins (and losses as you included) would be minimal at best.

My math was off a little Michigan's average is actually 6.81 OSU's was correct at 6.84. Carry it out over 128 seasons and your win totals would resemble this

OSU 876 with 333 losses
U-M 872 with 294 losses

So, really all this says is that the teams have charted pretty much along the same lines since their inception. .

[Collegekid]

I just disregard most of the historic comparison stuff.  You can make valid arguments that either school has better traditions or a better record over time.

Fact is, both schools are outstanding academic institutions and they both have athletic records that they should be extremely proud of.

It is also important to note that neither school’s football program would be quite as legendary if it weren’t for the other school and the best rivalry in college football.

I can agree with all of that, and I also think that it is much easier to 'dismiss' the historical stuff, when your favorite school is at the top of the list.

[PXaiver]

as someone who went to and worked for U of M I just cant root for moo U

This is the exact reason why I became a State fan after I started working in Ann Arbor.  Most of the people who go to or graduate from the big m are pompous ********.