In the world of college football, few rivalries command the same level of intensity, passion, and history as the showdown between The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines. With the game fast approaching, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. To build that excitement and give fans a taste of the energy to come, the marketing team has crafted a high-octane commercial for the pregame live show called The Rivalry. This visually stunning, pulse-pounding teaser doesn’t just highlight the clash of two storied programs — it captures the very essence of what makes this rivalry so special.

Let’s break down the key elements that make this commercial a must-watch and set the stage for one of the biggest matchups of the college football season.

Setting the Tone
The commercial kicks off with driving, high-energy music — a heart-pumping soundtrack that mirrors the raw intensity of the rivalry. From the opening seconds, the music grabs your attention, building anticipation as the visuals flash across the screen. The beats of the track align perfectly with the fast-paced cuts, ensuring the viewer is immediately on edge. The intensity of the music is a constant reminder of what’s at stake — pride, tradition, and the quest for supremacy in one of the most iconic rivalries in sports.

Game Highlights
A visual showcase of the best plays from both teams in the 2024 season. From Ohio State’s explosive offensive displays to Michigan’s stifling defense and clutch moments, each frame is designed to remind the viewer why these two programs are considered elite.

Fast-paced cuts highlight thrilling touchdown runs, bone-crushing tackles, and game-changing interceptions — the plays that have defined the 2024 season for both teams. Whether it’s a dazzling 60-yard run or a pinpoint pass, these highlights are presented with a cinematic flair, emphasizing the stakes of this monumental game.
The commercial doesn’t dwell too long on any one moment — it’s a rapid-fire montage that mimics the high-speed nature of the game itself, ensuring the viewer is always on their toes, just like they will be when the teams take the field.

Scarlet & Gray vs. Maize & Blue
One of the standout features of the commercial is the dynamic use of team colors: Ohio State’s Scarlet and Gray and Michigan’s Maize and Blue. These iconic colors are used in bold, striking ways, ensuring that the visual identity of both teams is impossible to ignore.

For Ohio State, Scarlet and Gray are dominant, with those colors bleeding across the screen in smooth, fluid motions. It’s powerful and aggressive, symbolizing the Buckeyes’ relentless drive and unwavering confidence. Meanwhile, Michigan’s Maize and Blue are just as imposing. The contrast between the two teams’ colors creates an electric energy that is as fierce as the rivalry itself.

As the commercial cuts back and forth between both teams’ highlights, these colors come to life in a way that amplifies the intensity of the game — creating a visual spectacle that’s as exciting as it is visually striking.

Playbook Visuals
Perhaps the most innovative and unique visual element in the commercial is the animated transitions that mimic the look and feel of a football playbook. These transitions are designed to look like drawn-up football plays — X’s and O’s moving across the screen, showing plays unfolding in real-time. The team colors — Scarlet and Gray for Ohio State, Maize and Blue for Michigan — become animated elements that push the viewer forward, almost like they’re in the huddle with the teams.

These transitions seamlessly blend into the fast-paced cuts of game action, ensuring that the commercial’s energy never slows down. The use of playbook-inspired transitions adds a layer of strategy and intensity, drawing viewers into the chess match that is college football.

The look is sleek and modern, keeping the visuals fresh and exciting while still staying true to the tactical nature of the sport.

A Layer of Authenticity
To add a layer of authenticity and immerse viewers even further into the experience, the commercial is enhanced with football sound effects that punctuate the action. The sound of a roaring crowd, the thud of a hard tackle, the crack of a helmet hitting the turf — these effects amplify the intensity of the visuals. These football sounds serve as a reminder that this rivalry isn’t just about the spectacle; it’s about the grit, the toughness, and the pure physicality that defines the sport.

A Modern, Fast-Paced Look
What really sets this commercial apart is its modern, high-energy aesthetic. The visuals are sleek and contemporary, using fast cuts, smooth transitions, and dynamic camera angles to capture the intensity of the rivalry. The pace of the editing mirrors the tempo of the game itself — quick, urgent, and unrelenting.

A Crafted Build-Up
A Pregame Live Show serves as a perfect build-up to one of the most anticipated games of the college football season. Through its high-energy music, electrifying highlights, bold use of team colors, animated playbook transitions, and authentic football sound effects, it perfectly encapsulates the excitement and drama of the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry.

So whether you’re a diehard Buckeyes fan or a proud Wolverine, this commercial will leave you on the edge of your seat, eager for the game to finally begin.
The Rivalry is coming — and you won’t want to miss it.