ANN ARBOR – There are college football rivalries that are more competitive (Army-Navy). There are rivalries that generate more bad blood (Auburn-Alabama). There are rivalries in which the schools are located closer together (Lehigh-Lafayette). And there are rivalries that have been going on longer (Minnesota-Wisconsin).
But there is no college football rivalry of greater importance than Ohio State-Michigan.
“It is, ‘The Game,’ ” said Giants linebacker Dhani Jones, a former Wolverine. “The whole world watches that game. It’s ‘The Game.’ “
Ohio State and Michigan today meet for the 100th time, and “The Game,” as it is known, could define the 2003 season.
If the Buckeyes (10-1) win, they almost surely will get the chance to defend their national championship in the Sugar Bowl. If the Wolverines (9-2) win, they will go to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten champs for the first time since 1997, the last time they won the national title.
“Basically, it always comes down to that one game,” said Jets fullback B.J. Askew, who went to Michigan. “That one game can be for going to a BCS bowl or going to just a regular bowl.”
“[Last year] we were playing for a BCS berth and they were playing for a national championship berth,” Askew said. “When two teams have that much on the line, bodies are flying and it’s a great experience being in games like that. It’s the biggest rivalry in college football.”
Michigan leads the series 56-37-6, but Ohio State has won the past two and is seeking to win three straight for the first time since 1960-63.
From the day Jim Tressel was named as Ohio State’s coach three years ago, he began talking about beating Michigan. Before Tressel, John Cooper’s futility (2-10-1) against the Wolverines cost him his job.
Yes, the game is that big. And this year it will be played in the Big House, where a crowd of more than 110,000 is expected. Kickoff is at high noon.
Ohio State can put itself in position to go down as one of college football’s most storied teams. Michigan, which has won or shared 40 Big Ten titles, can reassert its conference dominance.
“You’re not supposed to lose to Ohio State,” Jones said. “They’re beneath Michigan. There’s a reason why we’re called ‘The Big M,’ there’s a reason why we sit on top of the world. People dream of coming to Michigan, sometimes they have to settle for going to other schools.”
The Buckeyes could be without starting wide receiver Santonio Holmes and kick returner Troy Smith, who each were charged with disorderly conduct following a fight last weekend outside a dorm near Ohio Stadium.