COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Rivalry game between Ohio State and Michigan has a lot of history, and more will be added Saturday afternoon as the two teams face off in Ohio Stadium.

While the Buckeyes are looking for their first win after three straight loses, former players and head coach John Cooper remember a similar scenario in the late 90s.

It’s one of the most coveted pieces of hardware for any Ohio State football player

“When you come to Ohio State there’s a couple things you have to get," Former OSU linebacker Ryan Miller said. "One of them is a pair of gold pants. And the only way you get that is to beat that team up north.”

Ryan Miller—part of the original silver bullets in the 90s—remembers every snap of each Michigan game.

Ryan Miller was one of the original silver bullets on the 1996 Ohio State team. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Miller)

“It’s been 30 years since I put on a football uniform," he said. "But goodness gracious, this week I get so excited because I’m just so happy that both teams get a chance to play in this game. There’s nothing like it. You could do stuff for the rest of your life and you will always remember playing in this game.”

And so does former head Coach John Cooper.

“When you come here as the head football coach at Ohio State, that’s the one thing that everybody talks about," Coach Cooper said. "You gotta beat that team up north. Beat that team up north. Beat that team up north.”

Coach Cooper was 2-10-1 against Michigan during his tenure at Ohio State. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

Coach Cooper struggled against the Team Up North, losing three straight from 1995-1997. But in 98, he and players like wide receiver Dee Miller were able to break the streak.

“We were like, 'finally,'" Miller said. "It was just a stigma that we had.”

Miller remembers that game fondly, winning on his senior day at Ohio Stadium.

Dee Miller catches a pass in a Michigan game. (Photo courtesy of Dee Miller)

“To finally say that you contributed in The Game, and for me it was like, 'wow, I’m from Springfield, my whole city’s watching,'" Miller said. "And I caught a touchdown. So it was a great day.”

It’s a similar story to this Ohio State team, losing the last three years, and these seniors desperate for a pair of their own gold pants.

"You come to Ohio State to beat the team up north to win a pair of gold pants," senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka said. "Just to hand the gold pants to my mother is a memory that I'm really looking forward to.”

And Coach Cooper thinks it’s about time.

“You finally break that losing streak and beat that team up north," Cooper said. "And that’s what we’re trying to do right now. And, you know what, I think we will.”