11/05/24
November 10, 2007
For The Love of Sport: Rivalry: This game is a classic rivalry, it will determine the Big Ten title, and by establishing a Big Ten champion it will punch at least one BCS ticket.
Many would argue that the most interesting match-up this week is quite possibly the greatest rivalry in all of sports. I would definitely put the annual Big Ten finale between Michigan and Ohio State in the top ten but I personally wouldn’t have them at number one (a little more on that later). It is easily; however, the most interesting match-up of the week and quite possibly the most interesting in the college football season thus far. This game is a classic rivalry, it will determine the Big Ten title, and by establishing a Big Ten champion it will punch at least one BCS ticket. Additionally it is a match-up between two teams who have won at least eight straight games and if Ohio State beats Illinois on November 10th than Michigan becomes the last hurdle between OSU and a second consecutive chance at the national championship game. If Michigan can upset OSU than they would get the BCS game, in spite of starting their season off with the now infamous loss to 1-AA Appalachian State, regardless of how they do against Wisconsin. After a bit of research on where some other writers and websites rank this rivalry I felt that it would be a nice subplot to weigh in with my top ten greatest rivalries (let the debates begin): 10. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns. This classic features two rabid fan bases separated by less than 100 miles. 9. Richard Petty vs. Cale Yarborough. Most people know that Petty won 200 times but people forget that Yarborough is fifth all-time with 84 wins and ran a lot of his career against Petty. 8. Celtics vs. Lakers. The stature of this rivalry is only tempered by the fact that these franchises were only great at the same time for about ten years. 7. Ali vs. Frazier. Cotta / Mosley can only wish that they had the fire of these two guys. 6. Palmer vs. Nicklaus. In my opinion two of the three greatest golfers that ever lived went head to head week after week for several years. 5. Cowboys vs. Redskins. This one is quite simply the best in the NFL. 4. UNC vs. Duke. The energy of these games is freakish. If only they played other sports. 3. Red Sox vs. Yankees. The 100 year rivalry was looking pretty one-sided for a long time but the Sox always made it a battle even in the lean years. 2. Ohio State vs. Michigan. This is a classic conference rivalry that also manages to consistently find itself on the national stage. 1. Army vs. Navy. This rivalry goes so far beyond sports its hard to put into words. Men and women serving around the globe take pause where they can and try to catch this game. Dodgers/Giants, Packers/Bears, Alabama/Auburn; there are probably another half dozen or so that could easily fit into a thoughtful top ten. Everyone has their own bias that would cause them to put this one in or leave that one out. I spent eight years in the Army and I am a lifelong Red Sox fan so my bias is obvious (if you don’t like it make your own list). The point is that no matter where you are from there is a good chance that the Michigan/Ohio State rivalry is somewhere on your list. The thing that separates a lot of college rivalries from say Cowboys/Redskins is that college is a student’s whole life; classes, job and evening entertainment. Those colors and that team become for many a reflection of who they are. More than that, many college rivalries date back more than a hundred years, predating the very existence of the NBA, NHL and NFL. Given the way in which the NCAA crowns their champ every game is crucial on the path to greatness. So effectively you are combining an absolute must win game with a hundred years of bad blood and the event is attended by 100,000 or so rabid fans who’s entire life revolves around their university. I think that just about sums it up. As far as this game is concerned Michigan leads the all-time series 57-40-6. After the stunning upset at the hands of 1-AA Appalachian State (I am still boycotting the new bowl submarine terminology or whatever it is) Michigan went on to get manhandled by #3 ranked Oregon. With two home losses in their first two games any dreams Michigan had of a national title were gone two weeks before the official end of summer. With only two ranked opponents, a highly talented team, and just four road games the Wolverines really had the stars aligned to make a run at the title. Now in order to salvage their season it all comes back to the Ohio State game. A final note on Michigan, while Mike Hart gets all of the press and glory keep an eye on OT Jake Long (who opens up many of those running lanes). Long is projected by some to go as high as number one in the NFL draft depending on where the Rams ultimately select. For Ohio State this game is déjà vu all over again. Just as last year, they can enter the game undefeated and #1 in the country. Unlike last year not to many people expected them to be in this position. In the game last year Ohio State jumped out to a 28-14 half-time lead but had to survive a second half Michigan surge in order to hold on for the 42-39 victory and maintain their perfect record. Ohio State has junior Todd Boeckman at quarterback who prior to this season had thrown just 10 collegiate passes. Boeckman has matured rapidly passing for 1965 yards 23 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions. Michigan expected greatness and failed to deliver while OSU has delivered greatness in spite of expectations. I expect this game to add one more chapter to a historic rivalry. I can be reached via email at kyrilmitch_76@yahoo.com.
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