The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is about many things, including football.
It’s about psychology. Ohio State coach Woody Hayes refused to utter the word “Michigan.” Instead, he referred to it as “that school up north.”
It’s about geography. Dozens of players have crossed enemy lines to play for the rival school. Ohio native Charles Woodson led Michigan to a share of the 1997 national title, returning a punt 78 yards for a touchdown in Michigan’s 20-14 victory over Ohio State.
But this year, Ohio State-Michigan is about a history that has shown that the school with the most to lose is the school that loses most of the time.
That could be bad news for the second-ranked Buckeyes when they play host to No. 12 Michigan Saturday afternoon.
“Obviously, everyone knows about what’s happened in the past,” Buckeyes quarterback Craig Krenzel, a native Michigander, said. “But we’re not thinking about that.”
Coach Jim Tressel hasn’t tried to ignore history. In the spring of 2001, he broke down film of the 2000 game–Michigan won 38-26–and showed players where a few plays might have made the difference.
“You talk about the ups and downs of a season–there are many ups and downs in one Michigan game,” Buckeye linebacker Matt Wilhelm said.
Meanwhile, Michigan players are spouting coach Lloyd Carr’s line that they aren’t trying to play spoiler.
“I have heard all of the stories,” Wolverine senior safety Charles Drake said. “We are not looking to spoil anyone’s dreams, but we have our own goals.”
Ohio State-Michigan is rarely a stepping-stone to bigger things. More often, it’s a stumbling block. That’s why Saturday’s game seems so foreboding for the Buckeyes. If they win, they will be headed to the Fiesta Bowl to play for their first national championship since 1968.
If they lose, they might end up in the Capital One Bowl. It’s an irresistible, all-or-nothing story line.
“It’s a bigger game this year because they are trying to take away what we have, and they’re coming into our house,” Buckeyes defensive tackle David Thompson said.
No. 2 Ohio State (12-0) vs. No. 12 Michigan (9-2)
Time: 11 a.m. TV: WLS-Ch. 7
At stake: A win gives Ohio State a share of the Big Ten title with Iowa and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl to play for the national championship. A Michigan win gives the Hawkeyes the conference title and Wolverine fans bragging rights for another year.
Miami stays perfect with a hard-fought 28-21 win against Pittsburgh 18
