Why Michigan fans are ignoring the game against Ohio State

Michigan fans are so embarrassed about their season this year they are claiming they don’t even care about "The Game" against Ohio State. Yep, the same rivalry that defines their season is suddenly no big deal. Why? Because they landed Bryce Underwood, the number one recruit in the country.

It’s like they’re saying, “Who cares if we lose, we won in recruiting!” That’s some world-class mental gymnastics right there. That's like your car got totaled because you have a brand new one, but completely ignore that you spent your entire life savings buying it and are now working two jobs.

Let’s not forget, this is the same Michigan fanbase that has spent all year mocking Ohio State for a "$20 million roster" and criticizing the Buckeyes for paying players through NIL—something that's been legal for years. Fast forward to now, and they’re celebrating Underwood’s commitment, which reportedly came with the largest NIL deal in college football history.

The best part? Underwood lives 20 minutes from Ann Arbor! Michigan needed a record-breaking payout just to land a kid in their own backyard. If that’s not desperation, I don’t know what is.

And it gets even better. Michigan had to call in Larry Ellison—one of the richest men in the world—to help seal the deal. Yes, the founder of Oracle, a guy who didn’t even attend Michigan, had to cut the check to get Underwood to commit. Meanwhile, Ohio State signed the second-best player in the country, Tavien St. Clair, for much less because, get this, he actually wants to be a Buckeye. He’s already recruiting other top players, not just looking to cash in but to win championships. What a concept!

Now, back to this “we won our national championship last year, so who cares” narrative. You mean the championship that could be stripped by the NCAA? The one Michigan won while being investigated for one of the biggest on-field cheating scandals in college sports?

The one where any college football fan laughs at the name 'Connor Stalions' because of how absurd he was and how desperate Michigan was? That’s the title Michigan fans are hanging their hats on? Even if it’s not vacated, it’ll always be remembered as the one Michigan had to cheat for. The program will forever be known as the one that needed an in-person scouting sign-stealing operation just to get over the hump.

It’s times like this that we’re reminded just how fickle and soft the Michigan fanbase really is. A school that proudly calls itself the “leaders and best” now resorts to ignoring and deflecting.

Instead of owning up to the fact that their team is barely bowl-eligible and playing some of the worst football they've seen in years, they just pretend it doesn’t matter. This is the same fanbase that predicted this year’s team would be better than last year's! But now, with "The Game" around the corner, they can’t even take it seriously because deep down, they know what’s coming: Ryan Day and Ohio State are about to get their revenge.

But maybe I shouldn’t be too harsh. After all, in my years watching Ohio State, I’ve only seen one Buckeye team finish a season with six wins or fewer. Meanwhile, Michigan fans have had the pleasure of watching five such seasons in just the last 20 years. Maybe they’ve just gotten used to disappointment.

So yes, Michigan fans can brag about landing Bryce Underwood and winning their coveted games last year. But deep down, they know Ohio State isn’t losing any sleep. While Michigan is shelling out cash to get local recruits, Ohio State is signing players who are focused on winning—not just collecting a payday.

While Michigan is deflecting the current season to remember a mockery of true success, Ohio State is on its way to winning it all the right way. While Michigan is looking at fake recruiting rankings, Ohio State is watching the College Football Playoff rankings show and knows Michigan is still behind them in the recruiting rankings.