COLUMBUS - When Rob Sims was growing up in Macedonia - not the cradle of civilization but a small town in northeastern Ohio - he used to cry when his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes would lose to rival Michigan in football.

Now Sims is 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds and is an offensive tackle for No. 4 Ohio State.

Just like when he was small, he doesn't want to shed any tears after the Buckeyes play at No. 5 Michigan on Saturday.

''The Michigan-Ohio State game is like a … holiday,'' Sims said Monday, carefully searching for just the right word to express his feelings. ''And for me to be a part of this holiday now makes me feel good, knowing that all of those people back home will be watching me doing my thing.''

From the major cities of Detroit and Cleveland, from small towns, dairy farms and from inner-city row houses, hundreds of kids dream of one day playing in the contest referred to in the neighboring states as ''The Game.''

The rivalry grabs the attention of more than just sports fans each November.

Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk remembers his whole school in suburban Dayton choosing sides.

''We'd have a 'Beat Michigan' Week at school and everybody would wear their Ohio State stuff for the whole week. Even the teachers would get excited,'' Hawk said. ''Everyone in Ohio is an Ohio State fan.''

Maybe not everybody.

After all, the Wolverines have 13 native Ohioans on their roster. Some of Michigan's most storied players - including Heisman Trophy winners Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard - grew up in Ohio.

Michigan has returned the favor. It was Michigan's band that introduced Ohio State to ''Script Ohio,'' the blend of calligraphy and music now a staple of the Buckeyes' marching band.

Most households in the two states will watch the game on television, undoubtedly bringing many families together and causing friction in a few others.

''This is everything,'' Ohio State offensive lineman Mike Kudla said. ''Growing up as a little kid you watch these games on TV. I can remember my dad and my uncles all coming over to watch the big game.''

Kudla finally got a chance to play in his first Ohio State-Michigan game last year and speaks as if it were a religious experience.

''You never really, truly understand the feeling of how big this game is until you play in it. Last year was just unbelievable,'' he said. ''I couldn't even describe it.''

Craig Krenzel is Ohio State's starting quarterback and is 2-0 against Michigan. That is particularly galling to Wolverines fans since he grew up in Sterling Heights, Mich.

''Some of my friends from high school have somewhat converted to Ohio State fans while I'm here,'' Krenzel said with a wide grin. ''Some of them remain Michigan fans and would like to see me do well - as long as we don't beat Michigan.''

This is the 100th meeting between the two schools. Michigan holds a 56-37-6 lead in the series, voted the greatest rivalry of the 20th century in a fan poll conducted by ESPN.com.

''It's a great honor to play in any Ohio State-Michigan game,'' Krenzel said. ''To be considered good enough on your team to be able to participate in this game is a tremendous honor as well. Someday, to be able to sit back and talk to your kids and grandkids about playing in the 100th game, I'm sure it'll be a great thing.''

For now, the teams have a lot more to play for than memories. The winner takes the Big Ten title and keeps alive a clear shot at playing for the national championship.

Even if the stakes weren't so high, however, The Game remains a red-letter day in the two states.

''Man, I just can't believe it,'' said Sims, who will play in his first Ohio State-Michigan game on Saturday. ''I've been thinking about the Michigan game, dreaming about it if I ever got a chance to play in it. I can't believe how long I've been thinking about this game. And now this is my chance.''