Ohio State Football: The Game is most important thing in the world

Saturday’s game will determine whether the Ohio State football team will have a stained regular season or perfect one. The Game is on, get ready for war.

The 116th meeting between Ohio State and Michigan in The Game, which is known as the greatest rivalry in all of sports, is set to take place on Saturday in Ann Arbor.

This rivalry isn’t just between two teams who hate each other. It’s between two lifestyles that prepare for each other 24/7, 365 days of the year; not just the coaches and players, but the fans too.

The hatred and disdain ooze from each state and university, but above that hatred is a mutual and abiding respect that transcends the rivalry. The respect is what makes Ohio State versus Michigan so special as two first-rate college football programs and universities collide on a football field.

This year the Buckeyes and Wolverines have taken different paths to get to where they are but the result on Saturday will either affirm or stain their accomplishments up to this point.

Ohio State enters The Game 11-0 for the first time since 2012 and a win would give them a perfect regular season whereas a loss would stain their entire resume. You are remembered in this rivalry by how you perform against the other team. For the Buckeyes, they cannot take the Wolverines lightly despite nothing “being on the line” in terms of the Big Ten race.

In fact, everything is still on the line for Ohio State. Some believe the Buckeyes can win the National Championship this season, so what if they do but lose to the Wolverines in the process? The title wouldn’t have the same buzz to it because the team would be remembered for losing to Michigan first and then winning a championship.

It would permanently stain the resume regardless of future outcomes. The argument of the loss and ring balancing each other out is a fallacy. Of course, it would take away some of the satisfaction from Michigan for winning The Game because Ohio State would’ve won the title, but it certainly wouldn’t even things out.

Moreover, the Buckeyes would still have to eat the loss for another 364 days until the next meeting and the championship wouldn’t mean the same. A victory for Ohio State is crucial because it will set the tone for the Ryan Day era, as well as propel the Buckeyes into the postseason, plus give them another win over their rival.

11-0 means nothing if you don’t win The Game and though the Buckeyes are in the midst of something special, a win is still paramount on Saturday. Losing isn’t an option at Ohio State against The Team Up North.

You eat, breathe, and sleep this rivalry all day everyday and this year’s edition is going to be a war in Ann Arbor. It’s the only game that matters. The Game is the most important thing in the world.