COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State is set to take on Michigan Saturday in The Game, but one competition has already been settled.

And Ohio came out on top.

The Ohio State University beat the University of Michigan in the 43rd annual Blood Battle, OSU’s third victory in a row, according to a press release from the nonprofit Versiti. In total, Ohio State and Versiti collected 1,707 pints of blood from the campus and central Ohio in six weeks.

Michigan collected a total of 1,407 pints.

“I’m so proud of Buckeye Nation for delivering another Blood Battle win," OSU President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. said in the release. "This is who we are as Buckeyes — always ready to step up and help others in our community. I thank each individual who donated or gave their time to this important cause.”

The release states that the blood collected from this competition could save the lives of 9,300 people. The blood will go to patients in need at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

“One blood donation can save up to three lives, and by donating to the Blood Battle, Buckeyes help support lifesaving care for patients at Ohio State,” said Dr. John J. Warner, chief executive officer at the Wexner Medical Center and executive vice president at Ohio State, in the release.

Versiti partnered with Abbott for the Big Ten We Give Blood Drive, according to the release, which endeavors to address the blood shortage with a competition across the entire Big Ten conference.

“The fact that we once again exceeded our goal is a testament to the power and collaboration of this community,” said Brian Bautista, EVP and chief operating officer at Versiti, in the release. “Hopefully these competitions have inspired a new generation of donors who can channel their compassion into giving the ultimate gift of lifesaving blood for years to come.”