The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, dubbed “The Game,” is a cornerstone of college football, pulsating with unmatched intensity at both collegiate and professional levels. From the moment one game ends, players and fans alike begin the countdown to the next clash. For those donning the maize and blue or scarlet and gray, legacy is defined by one thing: beating the hated rival. For former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, this rivalry wasn’t just a game—it was a mission.
McCarthy, now a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings, fully embraced the stakes during his time at Michigan. He understood that his legacy hinged on his performance against Ohio State. And he delivered in spades, etching his name in Wolverines lore with an impeccable 3-0 record against the Buckeyes, including 2-0 as a starter, often against a more talented Ohio State squad. His dominance in “The Game” has become the stuff of legend in Ann Arbor.
Recently, McCarthy brought that same fiery spirit to the NFL, reminding his former Ohio State rivals that his winning streak lives on. In a playful attempt to troll the young quarterback, a Vikings staffer gifted McCarthy an Ohio State-themed clock. Unfazed, McCarthy seized the moment with a savage flex: he signed the clock and scribbled, “4-0, not you.” The jab referenced Michigan’s current four-game winning streak against Ohio State, a streak McCarthy proudly contributed to.
The Ohio State – Michigan rivalry is something else
: @Vikings Instagram pic.twitter.com/wr2Ice0xAL
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) May 29, 2025
The clock was then “gifted” to McCarthy’s Vikings teammate and former Buckeye, Donovan Jackson, who was on the losing end of all four of those Michigan victories (0-4 as a Buckeye). Jackson, caught off guard, could only laugh and say, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with this. I don’t need his signature.” McCarthy’s cheeky move left Jackson momentarily speechless, and fans—especially Wolverines faithful—are absolutely losing it over the viral moment.
McCarthy’s bold trolling is a testament to the enduring passion of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, proving that even in the NFL, “The Game” remains personal. For Michigan fans, it’s yet another reason to celebrate their quarterback’s legacy, while Buckeye fans are left hoping for redemption in the next chapter of this storied feud.
