An Ohio State fan on 'The Rivalry'...

[Doc]

Should Ohio State win out this season, the seniors on the team would compile a 44-7 overall record for the past 4 years. Michigan's seniors would lose 9 games this year. Their 4 year record would be 30-20.

Saturday was Jim Tressel's 100th game as coach - his record at Ohio State is 82-18; two more wins this year would obviously make him 84-18. During that same time, Michigan is 67-32 with a very distinct possibility of making it 67-33 on Saturday. I know there are people here who believe OSU is obsessed with Michigan; I guess that's true similar to the way the Red Sox are obsessed with the Yankees, UNC (basketball) is obsessed with Duke, Auburn is obsessed with Alabama, Army is obsessed with Navy and Xavier is obsessed with Cincinnati - it's their biggest rival and fans are many times more concerned with winning that game than the rest of the season - that's why rivalries are so special. I'm just greatful that Coach Tressel gets it because Coach Cooper didn't.

Hopefully the rivalry means something to Coach Rodriguez because both sides have to buy into it for the game to be special. Right now Ohio State has the upper hand but it wasn't long ago that the Bucks were in the midst of a horrible 2-10-1 streak. I know how it feels, it's painful. I don't expect Ohio State to continue beating Michigan year after year but I'd be shocked if they lose on Saturday. College football needs teams like Michigan and Notre Dame to be good every year. I'm afraid that the coaches at Nebraska since Osborne retired have caused serious damage to the Cornhusker mystique. As much as I dislike Michigan, I respect the program far too much to wish that kind of future on the Wolverines. If Rodriguez isn't the guy I hope they realize it quickly and get someone in there who has a passion for Michigan and 'the game'. I don't want to see Michigan have another year like this year.

[Hail to the Victors Valiant]

Well said. What pains me about obsessions is that you named two of my alma maters and my favorite team of all since my birth, the NY Yankees. I have accepted this fate of mine, which lasts year-round. At least I have been to the mountaintop a few times with these teams.

[Doc]

See attached. Rodriguez tells Michigan fans 'to get a life' and that there are more important things in life, like the economy. This coming from a guy who has a multimillion dollar a year contract and had to pay $4 million to get out of his previous job. And what does he expect from the fans? He only 'lead' the Wolverines to their worst record in 129 years...in 129 season you were the absolute worst, that's something to be known for! He thinks it's bad now imagine what it will be like should OSU win! 3-9 and 9 months to hear about how horrible the team was. I swear this guy didn't realize what he was getting in to. No clue. And I hear there are several players ready to transfer at the end of the season. I'm a Buckeye fan and Rodriguez pi$$es ME off.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8811864?MSNHPHMA

[Lincoln Tower]

Rumors here (http://www.mgoblog.com/) about McGuffie transferring.

I do think Michael Shaw is the better back of the freshman, and Brandon Minor shouldve been the starter from day 1.

But goodness, this is rougher than anyone thought.

[Coach 3]

maybe the diference between michigans woeful 3-9 finish and6-6....with that said, i also see people,are overlooking the fact that lloyd left the talent cupboard quite bare. recallcarr with an unheard of 6 offensive starters now on nfl rosters , this juggernaut of talent was STILL ONLY10th in the big ten in total offense...rodriguez urgentlyget a new D coordinator or at least better secondary personnel..without a high performing qb next year, he is looking at 6-6 a he might wind up doing"a moeller"in a restaurant at that point...

[ZOOMBAG]

Should Ohio State win out this season, the seniors on the team would compile a 44-7 overall record for the past 4 years. Michigan's seniors would lose 9 games this year. Their 4 year record would be 30-20.

Saturday was Jim Tressel's 100th game as coach - his record at Ohio State is 82-18; two more wins this year would obviously make him 84-18. During that same time, Michigan is 67-32 with a very distinct possibility of making it 67-33 on Saturday. I know there are people here who believe OSU is obsessed with Michigan; I guess that's true similar to the way the Red Sox are obsessed with the Yankees, UNC (basketball) is obsessed with Duke, Auburn is obsessed with Alabama, Army is obsessed with Navy and Xavier is obsessed with Cincinnati - it's their biggest rival and fans are many times more concerned with winning that game than the rest of the season - that's why rivalries are so special. I'm just greatful that Coach Tressel gets it because Coach Cooper didn't.

Hopefully the rivalry means something to Coach Rodriguez because both sides have to buy into it for the game to be special. Right now Ohio State has the upper hand but it wasn't long ago that the Bucks were in the midst of a horrible 2-10-1 streak. I know how it feels, it's painful. I don't expect Ohio State to continue beating Michigan year after year but I'd be shocked if they lose on Saturday. College football needs teams like Michigan and Notre Dame to be good every year. I'm afraid that the coaches at Nebraska since Osborne retired have caused serious damage to the Cornhusker mystique. As much as I dislike Michigan, I respect the program far too much to wish that kind of future on the Wolverines. If Rodriguez isn't the guy I hope they realize it quickly and get someone in there who has a passion for Michigan and 'the game'. I don't want to see Michigan have another year like this year.

People used to laugh at the notion that Service Academy fans would be accepting of a 2-10 season so long as those two wins were over the other two academies. AFA will go at least 8-4 this regular season and get a nice bowl game, but it is not viewed as a successful year because our #1 goal, the CIC Trophy, still resides in Squidsville.

[Hail to the Victors Valiant]

Michigan is in a great position right now. Let the transfers transfer and the decomits decommit. And Justin Boren is still too fat to succeed under Coach Rod's offense and he may never play at OSU.

Those who stay will be champions!

Doc, Coach Rod was referring to some fans and not all Michigan fans when he responded to certain bloggers. That's an important distinction that you failed to make. The early critics were correct in stating that Michigan does not have the QB or O-line to succeed in this system. However, the times they are a changin'.

The still all-time winningest program climbs to the top again but what a climb it appears to be.