Ohio State players talk intensity of 'The Game'

“The Game” is back.

After taking a one-year break thanks to COVID-19, one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports will take place on Saturday in Ann Arbor — the showdown between border-rivals Ohio State and Michigan. This season brings with it even more drama, as the showdown features a pair of 10-1 teams vying for a spot in the B1G Championship, and a shot at a College Football Playoff bid.

No. 6 Michigan has been one of the most complete teams in the country this season. While No. 2 Ohio State started off a little shaky, the Buckeyes have been firing on all cylinders. If the Buckeyes are able to carry the momentum from last week’s 56-7 blowout of Michigan State, the Wolverines could be in for a long afternoon.

For the Buckeyes, the game sets up a possible 5-peat opportunity to win the B1G, but for Michigan it would be their first trip to the championship game since it came to be in 2011.

The magnitude of the rivalry isn’t lost on the Ohio State players.

OSU OT Nicholas Petit-Frere: "Regardless of what they're ranked, this is one of the greatest rivalries in all of sport. It's called The Game for a reason."

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) November 23, 2021

OSU DT Haskell Garrett: "To say it's the same approach as last week, it's not. It's rivalry week and we know how important it is to get this win."

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) November 23, 2021

Zach Harrison on The Game: “It's the biggest rivalry in all of sports. I can't explain it. You just gotta feel it.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 23, 2021

Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM on Saturday, Nov. 27 at the Big House in Ann Arbor. The game will be televised nationally on FOX.