Billboard mocking Ohio State's Jim Tressel appears along Michigan interstate
![LiarLiar.jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2011/05/LiarLiar-thumb-590x392-76814.jpg)
A billboard ad along Interstate 94 westbound near the Wayne exit.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
There was a sense the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry had been rekindled when new Wolverines coach Brady Hoke installed a clock that counts down to the annual game inside Schembechler Hall.
Consider the bar raised once again this off-season.
Someone, ostensibly a Michigan football fan, paid for a billboard ad along Interstate 94 westbound outside Detroit near DTW that reads: "Liar, Liar, Vest On Fire!"
The sign, if you live under a rock, is a reference to embattled, sweater-vest-clad Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who has been the subject of an NCAA investigation that produced a Notice of Allegations last week.
Comments
Blue in a Red State
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 3:41 a.m.
Pete, consider the investigative work Brian over at Mgoblog has done on this subject. It sheds a lot of new light on this matter and may provide just enough crows for the haters on the comment trail here. <a href="http://mgoblog.com/content/tressel-billboard-not-our-fault#comments" rel='nofollow'>http://mgoblog.com/content/tressel-billboard-not-our-fault#comments</a> Certainly not conclusive... but, the evidence sure does seem to point a big green arrow at a Sparty fan!
tracyann
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
Well, color me immature because it sure did make me laugh!
UMtailgater
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 3:47 a.m.
I can't believe how many people take themselves so seriously. The billboard is funny. Yes it's a play off a childrens "whine" It was all in jest. I have a lot of OSU friends who laughed over the billboard. I dont think the billboard was meant to have anything to do with the on field results as it was about getting a good laugh at the expense of our rival. I believe with all thats going on with Coach Tressel the billboard wouldve been put up regardless of the record over the last 7 yrs.
cutty240
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
To Craig, Looks like your wife pays more attention to Fashion,and Football than you do.Wish her a GREAT MOTHER'S DAY.She's a KEEPER.Your a Lucky Man Charlie Brown.
trigg7
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 5:04 p.m.
No class from a bunch of loosers! Talk smack when you win, if ever.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Looser than what? Must be a grad of The O-Lie-O State University. Good Night and Good Luck
Ben
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
Oh Jessica, I agree! (smiley face) Laughing Out Loud. That billboard is FUN-NY! It represents the best and brightest our University has to offer (winking emoticon). We should erect lots and lots of billboards all over Washtenaw County...each one could be based on a children's mocking whine. As you say Jessica, we're gonna be kickin' some serious butt this year...(umm, but maybe not ND, MSU, PSU, Wisc or of course OSU). Bring on Appy State, we're ready for them! Laughing Out Loud. Equals sign closed parenthesis. It's soooooooo funny! Fresh 'n funny from Michigan Wolverine intellectuals in Washtenaw County.
Jessica
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
Lol I love that some of these people are getting so touchy over this..who cares! It's funny...get over it. We're competitive so of course we're sore losers. Oh well, we're gonna be kickin some serious butt this year just so we can put some more billboards up making fun of you Ohio State fans and we don't care what you think about it =)
tater
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
The rivalry didn't need to be "rekindled." It never left. Not when Carr lost four straight or RR continued the streak with three straight. Michigan has lowered themselves to TSIO's and MSU's levels by installing game clocks in their locker room: big deal. It doesn't mean the rivlary needs to be "rekindled." It just means Michigan needs to win again. The billboard is really, really funny though. It would look great right outside the horseshoe.
glimmertwin
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.
I think this is kind of funny, but I sure wish the team and fans would do their talking on the field. The team has been terrible against OSU and the fans, well, let's just say the OSU fans say when they are here it's like being at an opera.
Wolf's Bane
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
I guess I live under a rock, but at least I don't waste my time following college football. :)
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 1:19 p.m.
maybe he is a bill board aficionado.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
Your post here notwithstanding? Good Night and Good Luck
Mick
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
As a long time M fan, I really am not too crazy about seeing this billboard. Come on, we need to show some class here, if it is in fact an M fan that did this. -I want to beat those guys on the FIELD -I would rather have TSIO not cheat either -And I would like to point out to Superbuck that maybe over the last decade, somethings might have gone differently, or maybe not, no one knows, that's my point. -How would TSIO have done last year if not for those at least 4 critical players and 5 in total, so there is that hanging out there, Superbuck, you know, just sayin' -I want TSIO to be a great team when we beat them, not an also ran, potentially, like we've been for 3 yrs. -I want to beat JT out of coaching there, not this garbage he brought on himself for probably a decade now -I want to move "The Game" to the 1st Saturday in Nov. -Don't scream at me, hold on, all I'm saying is that it's entirely possible for us to face each other twice in one year in back to back weeks at least 3-5 years in any one decade in my est. -I don't believe that to be fair to either program, let's make it the 1st Sat. in Nov and build the rivalry even more based on that, why not, it can still be special as long as the programs are winning -I think both schools should get a bye week the 2nd Sat. of Nov for having to play each other every year, despite being in different divisions. Oh wait , some will say that MSU and IND. have to play every year too, yeah that's the same thing, there you go, whatever. -That way , we'd both have 4-5 weeks to get ready for each other again, that's exciting to me -Hello to all my great commenter buddies on here, and sorry for the lack of posting on my part, I still read and cheer on all you guys that I agree with, and most of you should know who I'm referring to.......TiM Go Blue!!!! P.S. What did I tell everyone about how Hoke can recruit back in Dec., I'm sensing great things in this decade, great things!!!!
Jimaize
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2:25 a.m.
I personally am steamed that sweater vest may have caused his own demise, and possibly may bring down the level of the OSU program for a while. When the Michigan program turns around, I want them to defeat the best the C-bus college can put on the field, and to include Tressel in any beatings so delivered. Go Brady; GO BLUE!!
DonAZ
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
I agree ... I'd rather beat the best OSU has to offer, not some hobbled shell of a program. In a way, that must be how OSU feels about beating Michigan these past three years. A win is a win, but when it's no contest it's no fun. There is simply nothing better than two mighty programs suiting up and doing battle ... a hard fought, mistake-free and clean fight ... and when the final gun goes the victor salutes the vanquished. That's Big 10 football.
bluefanfromohio
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
As a long time Michigan fan who lives in southern ohio I often have to tell my friends who root for the columbus state university that all those jokes they circulate about The Wolverines were written long ago by Michigan fans during the cooper era. They simply reverse the names now because they weren't smart enough to write them themselves. This billboard only proves my theory! The Wolverines will rise again!! A new chapter begins. God Bless Coach Hoke and MY MICHIGAN WOLVERINES!!!
Irvine CA
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 11:08 p.m.
I want to see an Wolverine team to beat J.T. on the field. After 7 long years, we deserve a win. I don't want the NCAA beat him for us.
DonAZ
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2:40 a.m.
Exactly correct.
Sienna Sacha
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 11:04 p.m.
The mere fact that Tressel continues to be employed by O$U tells us all about everything we need to know. For the rest of conference, O$U's actions are a plus. . . the longer they wait to do the inevitable (he's gone, IMO) the more damage is inflicted on that program. If they wait until after the August hearing, I think next season is a write off, as would be the 2012 season. If they act now, the 2012 season may be saved. Let's hope they drag this out as long as possible. . . . the vest is no more, IMO.
superbuck
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:56 p.m.
Don AZ I agree 150% even if we have to give up lasts years win what would it mean? The reality was on the actual field in the actual game the Bucks won .
DonAZ
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.
OSU did beat Michigan this past November ... pretty handily, as I recall. I imagine that wasn't really all that satisfying for you. Like beating Indiana or Purdue. Michigan will be back. And when they are, I'd prefer OSU in good form as well. Then the W for Michigan will be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
Buster W.
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.
OSU cheated. That's the reality.
DonAZ
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
Not sure I see the value or purpose of that billboard. The losses to Ohio State over the years have been painful. The most exquisite form of satisfaction will be had by winning a hard fought football game. Not by posting billboards.
superbuck
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
What we have here is poor losers. Remember last years game when the Vest could have let Pryor run up the score but he didn't. And the way J feel about our kids breaking rules it was their stuff they should be allowed to do what ever they wan't with it. And as far as count down to the Game. Don't get to hiped up Urban Meyer has been here twice in the last 30 days . Just imagine what will happen as far as recruiting if he takes over and it is very likely he will even the sports analysts for SI are predicting this and the deep pockets of the Buckeye Nation and the University will probably make this happen. We will see what your 3rd or was it 4th choice coach will do. By what I have seen on all your threads in you the fans opinions not much improvement so far. And remember if there was a federal drug investigation in progress against the tattoo parlors owner then I commend Tress for keeping all the heat on his head. You can put up all the billboards and sling all the crap you wan't one thing is for sure and you can't change it JIM TRESSELL OWNED MICHIGAN GO BUCKS OH----IO OH----IO OH----IO
missionbrazil
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
"And remember if there was a federal drug investigation in progress against the tattoo parlors owner then I commend Tress for keeping all the heat on his head. " superbuck, you have all the makings of a full blown man crush ... it causes you to say illogical things like this. The Vest had a chance to do the right thing 3 times ... as soon as he heard about the problem in April 2010, then when he signed the NCAA form saying he didn't know of any violations, and then late in the year when the problem & investigation came to light ... he chose to lie every time, and no way was it because of a drug investigation.
Blue Marker
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
Superbuck, You're actually buying the "protecting the kids" bit from JT. I'll admit the billboard is a desperate act from a desperate fan base if you admit JT lied because he wanted to win. There is no good reason not to tell the compliance department or the AD. Anyone with half a brain can see he cheated to gain an advantage and that's all. And, you're delusional if you think Urban Meyer is going to OSU to clean up this mess. He's working for ESPN and that's why he's been to OSU. I hate to break it to you but he's been to Ann Arbor too. Sure, OSU has owned UM for the better part of a decade. But they've done it with a coach that cheats and lies. Maybe he should write another book about ethics and morals.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
Yup Seven straight losses to a team that cheats. Much for the state of O-Lie-O to be proud of there. Good Night and Good Luck
Stephen Landes
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
Just remember that the deep pockets of OSU aren't supposed to be paying players....
Buster W.
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 1:59 a.m.
I believe Urban Meyer is 0-1 vs. UM. I'll hang up and listen...
D21
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:46 p.m.
Theo212, Was that your handiwork? If so, great job. Hope you will have enough $$$ to put in a RR love poem billboard ad one day?
GoBlueGoWing
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
put in in ohio
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
when the NCAA is done the losing streak may be broken. They may end up vacating all their wins last year. ;)
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 11:16 p.m.
The little ;) thing at the end of my post was a "wink" Ben. I'm not sure you caught my tongue in cheek intent.
Ben
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
When you lose SEVEN GAMES IN A ROW, it's always effective to make up a billboard based on a children's whine. What will we do after EIGHT? Suck our thumbs? Man, this is an embarrassment to all Michigan Wolverines.
81wolverine
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.
Ha-ha-ha very good! Another good one would have been "O-Lie-O-State" with the first O looking like their squared-end O. But, that probably would have gotten into trademark issues.
NoBowl4Blue
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Until Michigan can actually beat the Buckeyes it sure seems like sour grapes from sour losers. Win but lets show some class.
lumberg48108
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
DTW means Detroit Metro Airport - even though the letters dont make sense of course, the author assumed you knew this rather then explain it
jns131
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
From what was explained to me. DT is short for Detroit, hence DT and W is of course, Wayne county. You are flying into Wayne County, city of Detroit. Although you are actually flying into Romulus. Go figure.
Rod Johnson
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2:47 a.m.
@craigobr: excellent comment.
craigobr
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
Please replace "letters don't make sense" with "letters I don't understand" and allow somone that does understand to answer the question instead in the future.
semperveritas
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
'W' is for wayne county
Elaine F. Owsley
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
What is DTW?
UM owns
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
LOL someone doesn't leave the state much.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
The abbreviation for Metro airport
hypsi
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
I confess..I live under a rock.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
I first saw the sign Saturday night. I was driving and couldn't figure out what the heck it was about. It was my wife who put it together in about 10 seconds.
jns131
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 2 p.m.
I am glad this on line service explained it to me. I had no clue. I thought it was in retaliation to the lay offs of police and fire officials. Clueless and now informed here.