Records aside, there's plenty riding on Michigan-Ohio State football game
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel on Saturday's game: "It’s a big game for everyone involved.” (Photo: Associated Press)
But Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel shuddered at a reporter’s suggestion Tuesday that circumstances have taken some of the shine off Saturday's Michigan-Ohio State game (noon, ABC-TV).
“This rivalry has been going on long before the last 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 years,” Tressel said. “It’s been going on for I think 105 games or so, so no, I don’t think it’s lost any of its luster. I’ll bet you there’s about 110,000 people there excited about it on Saturday.”
Ohio State (9-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten) has dominated the series lately, winning 5 straight and 7 of 8 against the Wolverines. Last year’s 42-7 OSU victory was the most lopsided the rivalry’s seen in 40 years.
“I would probably differ with your thought that this not a big game,” Tressel said. “Kids come to places like Ohio State and Michigan and Penn State to play in games like this, to play in venues like this, to be on stages such as this. It’s a big game for everyone involved.”
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he hasn’t considered what the repercussions of another loss to Ohio State would be for him and his program.
“Obviously, you don’t want to lose, and I don’t think you can be a revisionist and look at the history,” Rodriguez said. “It’s been several years since we beat the Buckeyes, so that’s always a sore point for us and for our fans and everybody who follows our program. But you just got to look at what’s immediate and what’s going on right now. I’m very excited about the future, and one loss is going to upset us, but it’s not going to deter the process we’re going to continue to make.”
Rodriguez said a win Saturday would change the tone of the season for his 5-6 team.
"From a selfish standpoint, it’ll allow us as coaches and players to feel good for the first time in a long time and let our seniors feel good," Rodriguez said. "More than anything it would just let our guys have some enjoyment for a change."
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 1:31 p.m.
81wolverine, I think the record speaks for itself. 1-6 in the B10. "Those who stay will be last place losers"
uminks
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 12:35 p.m.
It would be nice if we could pull off a big upset! OSU defense looks too good and currently our defense looks horrid. Our next best chance to beat OSU will be in 2011 at home. But TP will be a senior that year, so it will be tough even if our defense improves. We are not going to be much better in 2010 but by 2011 we should win 8 or more games and the OSU game will be very competitive.
A2Bud
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 11:13 p.m.
Right on Blue 50...RRod is pathetic.
blue50
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 11:05 p.m.
Everything I read and hear coming out of the lips of RR leaves me in disbelief with the utter stupidity of this man who calls himself coach. I enthusiastically agree with the other writers who are stunned with the realization RR does not know the last time Blue beat OSU. Damn it. Fire that man. Not next year. Fire him now. The conditions of termination must include the marching out of his entire staff. We fans get enough politically correct comments from the politicians. We want a coach who speaks tough and acts tough. Perhaps some of the toughness might rub off onto the team. As an example, I know Danny Hope would not have dared confront Bo as he so boldly did to RR. RR is getting the respect he has earned.
gman
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 10:55 p.m.
A win will buy RR time to implement his coaching philosophy and schemes. A loss will put him on a hot seat sitting on the sun until next year in which he would have to be nothing less than a contender for the big ten. No middle ground. The direction of the program riding on this game.
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 7:28 p.m.
If RR says another thing about NOT BEING A REVISIONIST!It truly shows how stupid he is!I mean, to not be a "revisionist" means he doesn't know ANYTHING about Michigans(or any teams for that matter)history b/c he chooses not to "revisit" history!But let me guess.When he starts winning,he'll revisit those games.Dude,just say b/c of what YOU DID to the recent history of the program and recently,our talent level(especially on defense under your coaching)just plain sucks right now!PERIOD!!Some of the things this guy says is unbelieveable.Keep him AWAY from microphones and media.PLEASE!!!
Jaxon5
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 7:28 p.m.
What's riding on this game is the rivalry itself. Unfortunately it's a forgone conclusion that OSU will win this one handily. It won't even be a contest, if everything goes as it has for the last 6 weeks. So, that will be 8 OSU wins to 1 MI win over the last 9 games when it's done. That represents almost 8% of all the games played in the rivalry. That's a significant turn of events no matter how you look at it. It's total domination for a significant period of time. And, most importantly, it's the most recent period of time. The rivalry will be dead if this happens, for all intents and purposes. That's not to say it won't be revived in the future. Only the vest can save the rivalry this year. I am hoping Tressel shows some mercy and keeps the score reasonably close to make it look like it was competitive. That's the only way the rivalry survives another year. If he cares about the rivalry, he'll keep it close, and MI can come back perhaps next year with a more competitive team.
A2D2
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 7:15 p.m.
For the best "Top Ten Reasons U of M Should Hire Jim Harbaugh", go to. www.hirejimharbaugh.wordpress.com. pretty funny.
Jaxon5
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 7:09 p.m.
Tressel knew when the last time OSU beat Mich when he came in. He addressed the biggest gap in OSU football which was to beat Michigan. He made it first priority, made it public, made sure everybody knew it. Our coach came in and set no goals, no targets. The team is wandering aimlessly without direction. OSU 45, MI 6.
jwgoblue
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 7:05 p.m.
Please get Real..... Who cares if he knows it matters when he beats them....
GettingBluer
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 6:44 p.m.
Am I the only one who thinks RR should KNOW the last time Michigan beat OSU, or is "several years" OK with all you RR fanboys?