Across The Field: THE GAME Preview: That Team Up North At 10 Ohio State

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

THE GAME Preview: That Team Up North At 10 Ohio State

No rivalry in the history of sports compares to this one.

This year, The Game is a little lackluster in hype as it isn't going to be the marquee game on the slate. Maybe it's because that team up north comes in with its historic losing record or because Ohio State isn't in the running for a national title.

Regardless, this is still Ohio State-M*CH*G*N, and this is the championship. This is the season for both of these teams.

And I don't care if they both came into this rivalry 0-11--you beat Michigan, and you're golden (pants).

All the talk is squarely on Rich Rodriguez who should consider his public image since even quiet Mark Dantonio refuses to root for his team in order to claim sole possession of the Big Ten Championship.

If there is one person who does not deserve to win this game, it is Rodriguez because he has no morals and coaches that team up north.

I try not to downgrade M*CH*G*N too much because I believe that doing so could backfire and cause harm to the Buckeyes; but, I truly wouldn't root for that team unless it suited up to go play the Bush administration.

Early predictions indicate that the No.10 Buckeyes will steamroll M*CH*G*N, but I know better than to expect that. They really haven't steamrolled the Wolverines since 2004 when, ironically, Ohio State was the underdog. That game set off a three-game winning streak by Troy Smith and company.

It is pretty clear now that Terrelle Pryor thrives on rivalries, but he kind of overdid it against Penn State. This time, though, he will not be trying to prove anything to the folks back home. He'll (hopefully) come out ready to show the Wolverines what's in store for the next three years.

Meanwhile, the game changer for Ohio State has to be Beanie Wells who single-handedly beat the Wolverines last year. Beanie will have to be on the mark if Pryor and the receivers are to get some breathing room.

Interestingly, while Pryor and Rodriguez are introduced to this rivalry, you can look across the sidelines and learn that no active Wolverine has experienced a win in this rivalry. That doesn't hurt my feelings and won't if they don't win this weekend, either.

Still, you have to throw out all records and realize that it's 0-0 when you play that team up north. This is why players come to these schools and fans love this rivalry--it's just the way it always has been and always will be.

Let's enjoy THE GAME this Saturday, and GO BUCKS!!!