Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State vs. Michigan: A Rivalry Like No Other

By Thomas Scurlock

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches player warm up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches player warm up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Countdown to ‘The Game’, Ohio State vs. Michigan.

Where did this college season go?  Seems like yesterday it was August 31 and Ohio State was playing Indiana.

Now it is time for the men of the Scarlet and Gray to head North to take on Michigan.

‘The Game’ is not just college football’s best rivalry, it is the best rivalry in sports.  The disdain for the other side is felt 365 days a year.

Few moments in life are treasured more than defeating your rival, especially in this game.

The Buckeyes have enjoyed success and fortune for the better part of 20 years.  Anyone who has been around a while understands the pendulum swings back and forth and the better team does not always win.

Last year is a good example. Michigan failed to put a dagger in Ohio State when it had the chance to do so in the first half.  Urban Meyer pounced.  Jim Harbaugh floundered.

The lessons from that game hold true every year.

Keep your head down, focus on executing each play and don’t let the emotion of the moment disrupt your team from performing.

The stakes are high again.  That’s just how it is when these two teams play.

For Ohio State, it needs to win big to stay in the hunt for the College Football Playoff.

For Michigan, Harbaugh needs to finally beat Meyer and bring the rivalry back in its favor.

More from Scarlet and Game

The Buckeyes appear to have turned the corner after getting hammered at Iowa a few weeks back, but many have to be wondering which Ohio State team shows up.

If it is the one from the Michigan State game or the one that was playing in the fourth quarter against Penn State, Buckeyes roll.

If not, it could be another nail biter.  That would be unfortunate because the Wolverines lack the offensive firepower to keep pace with an Ohio State team playing to its potential.

I suspect it will be a tight game in the first half, and after the adrenaline wears off, the Buckeyes take control sending the Wolverines into the cold winter pondering why they can’t beat their rivals anymore.

Next: Week 12 Big Ten observations, who's up, who's down?

The answer to that question is easy.  Urban Meyer.

Home/Ohio State Football