When: Noon EST
TV: ABC National
Don't be fooled.
Do not for a second think that this rivalry is going down hill.
Webster's dictionary defines a rivalry as (ahem) "the act of being a rival"... wow, that's an awful definition.
I define a rivalry as... ummm.... yeah, i guess the previous definition kind of sums it up, but there has to be a better way to define it. So what is a true rivalry? I will attempt to come up with something along the way.
Ohio State will travel to Ann Arbor tomorrow having already wrapped up at least a share of the Big Ten championship (their fifth straight), while in the process clinching a trip to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1996 season. Michigan will host the game having almost suffered a total and complete meltdown since starting 4-0 on the year. Remember when people were praising Rich Rod's name? I remember. It was a slight blip on the radar. The pace at which this team has collapsed into sub-mediocre realms can only be matched by watching Obama's weekly approval ratings (and to be fair, Bush's approval ratings would probably at 9.5% right now). Mediocrity has become a far too familiar word floating around the city of Ann Arbor these days. A recent Detroit newspaper wrote that if Rich Rod returns, he needs to win at least 7 games in 2010 and win their bowl game. THAT'S IT!!!!!!! Are you serious?? That is NOT Michigan football. And it is only going to get worse unless Michigan improves really really fast (hint: fire Dick Rod).
All the Big Blue negativity aside, OSU has its own obstacles to overcome. It has been stated over and over and over again how many times the Buckeyes have lost to Michigan after clinching a trip to the Rose Bowl or, in general, how many times they have lost as the favorite versus Michigan. This is a highly focused group of constantly maturing young men and football players that will go to battle for Wolverine-slayer Jim Tressel tomorrow at noon, and they shouldn't disappoint the masses of Buckeye fans throughout the world. Yes, of course I am picking the Buckeyes to win this game. They are the better team talent wise and overall. Their coaching is better. Their program is better. They are so much better than Michigan it is crazy. It takes a lot for me to say that the Bucks are that much better than another team (no, seriously) because of the way Tressel can allow his conservative style of play to dictate the other teams chances of climbing back into a game and, in many cases, forcing OSU to play down to their opponent's talent level. That has never been the case in any Michigan game in Tressel's career. Expect a smart, aggressive game plan for the Wolverines tomorrow in the Big House.
None of this matters. It doesn't matter that OSU is better. It truly doesn't. This is Ohio State vs Michigan for an outright Big Ten championship. Michigan cannot win the Big Ten, but it certainly can go to a bowl game, extend their season, get the several weeks of bowl practice, improve their team and continue to try to establish their identity under Rodriguez. This game is HUGE for both teams still. It means the world to them. Michigan wants to live to see another day in 2009. Ohio State doesn't want a piece of the Big Ten pie, but rather the whole thing. 9 wins versus 5 wins. Rose Bowl vs potentially no bowl game. It still doesn't get better than this, guys. This is what OSU and Michigan fans live for, and tomorrow it is game time. Get ready for the 106th installment of the greatest rivalry in college football.
What best defines the word rivalry? Ohio State Buckeyes. Michigan Wolverines.
Prediction:
Ohio State- 34
Michigan- 13
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