LOS GATOS, CA — Nearly two decades after what many consider the greatest regular-season game in college football history, Netflix has announced the upcoming release of a documentary titled “The 100th War”, centered on the epic 2006 clash between #1 Ohio State and #2 Michigan. The game, played in front of a roaring Columbus crowd, ended with a 42–39 Buckeyes victory—but its impact still echoes through college football history.
Set to premiere this fall during rivalry week, the film will take viewers deep into the buildup, the heartbreak, and the legacy of that unforgettable November showdown. With unprecedented access to former players, coaches, and archival footage, Netflix promises a visceral retelling of a game that shaped two programs—and two legacies—for years to come.
“This wasn’t just a football game. It was war. It was personal,” said the documentary’s director, award-winning filmmaker Ava J. Cole, whose previous works include ESPN’s 30 for 30 features. “We’re telling the human stories behind the helmets.”
The 2006 matchup was the first and only time in the rivalry’s history that the teams entered The Game ranked #1 and #2 in the nation. Coming off undefeated seasons, both teams were fighting for a spot in the BCS National Championship—and for bragging rights that would echo across generations.
Adding to the emotional weight, Michigan’s legendary coach Bo Schembechler tragically passed away just a day before kickoff. His death cast a heavy shadow over the game and intensified the emotions swirling around an already electric matchup. The film devotes an entire segment to Bo’s legacy and how his passing galvanized the Wolverines—and stunned the sports world.
Former Michigan quarterback Chad Henne, star receiver Mario Manningham, and linebacker David Harris sat for candid interviews, describing the mental warfare, the trash talk, and the near-silent plane ride home after the heartbreaking loss. On the other side, Ohio State icons like Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., and Jim Tressel reflect on what it meant to come out victorious in a game of that magnitude.
The documentary will also examine the controversial aftermath—as many Michigan fans argued they deserved a rematch in the national championship game. Instead, Florida leapfrogged them in the BCS rankings, a decision that sparked debates about SEC bias and the flawed playoff system of the time.
Netflix teased an emotionally charged scene where then-Michigan running back Mike Hart walks through an empty Michigan Stadium nearly 20 years later, reflecting on how close they came to immortality. “We weren’t just playing for a win—we were playing for history,” Hart says in the trailer.
The film also dives into the broader cultural impact: how The Game divided families, drove merchandise sales to record highs, and drew one of the highest regular-season TV audiences in college football history. “This was our Super Bowl,” says ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit in the teaser. “Everything else was background noise.”
To complement the release, Netflix is also partnering with Michigan and Ohio State alumni associations for a limited theatrical tour and campus screenings. Rumors are swirling that both schools may wear commemorative uniforms this season to mark the documentary’s release.
“The 100th War” premieres globally on Netflix on November 19, 2025—exactly 19 years after the original game. Whether you bleed maize and blue or scarlet and gray, this is one battle you won’t want to miss.
