Jim Harbaugh was asked in his press conference earlier this week if he respects Ryan Day and his staff. Harbaugh, as he often does when asked about something that makes him uncomfortable, hesitated before deflecting the question.
“It’s all about our preparation for Ohio,” Harbaugh said. “The days, the minutes, the hours, everything, leading up to this game, that’s where we’re focused. Preparing yourself and planning, practicing and then executing. “When you get into a big game like this, nothing else is irrelevant.”
A day later, Ryan Day was asked the same thing. He too was not interested in giving honest answers.
“Whatever is going on and things that are out there, we have stayed away from all the distractions and focused our attention on our team,” he said. “I think our guys have done a good job of that. … I’ve talked to him many times about what’s happened this season, what’s going on in the game, but he’s focused on the game. “His focus is on this season.”
Writing a column right now and have a question: Is this the best/most hyped Ohio State-Michigan game ever?
– Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) 22 November 2023
Four years earlier, following Ohio State’s 56–27 victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor in Day’s first year as Buckeyes coach, the rivalry ended because Urban Meyer ended it. Meyer was no longer Ohio State’s coach, but the foundation of what he built carried over into the Day era and the Buckeyes swept the Wolverines. The game was unbalanced, recruiting results were unbalanced and Ohio State was more concerned about Clemson than its most bitter rival.
But the rivalry was not over. Turns out, it can’t be killed.
And if you’re looking for something to be grateful for on Thursday, how about this? The greatest rivalry in sports, which was on life support less than five years ago, has not returned. It’s better than before.
After Harbaugh defeated Ohio State for the first time in 2021, he said in a postgame news conference that “some guys are born at third base and act like they hit a triple,” referring to Day’s position as Buckeyes coach. yes.” A public shot at your rival’s head coach and all he’s accomplished in his career? There is no return from that.
Of course, Harbaugh later said that this comment was retaliation towards Day, who reportedly said he would “hang 100” on Michigan during a dispute over a Big Ten coaches teleconference. Sadly, the motivation for this isn’t really important anymore. This is not a comment you can just brush aside.
go deeper
Michigan hasn’t fallen yet, but will gravity pull Jim Harbaugh’s program back to Earth?
But this year’s game is about much more than public nonsense. On the Ohio State side, you have an elite-level program that expects to win a national title while living in a reality where it is no longer even considered the best program in the Big Ten East. Day has lost consecutive games to Michigan after the Buckeyes lost only once in this rivalry from 2004 to 2019.
Day’s record is impeccable and he was on the verge of winning a national title last year, yet many Ohio State fans question whether he is the right man for the position. Call it the ghost of John Cooper.
Michigan is looking for its third consecutive win in the series, which would have been an unthinkable notion in December 2019. But the Wolverines are reportedly being investigated for a personal scouting scheme and people are throwing the word “cheating” around. Harbaugh has been coaching his team during the week, formulating game plans and normally performing his media obligations, but he is serving a three-game suspension from the Big Ten and will not be at Michigan Stadium on Saturday .
Many Michigan fans wholeheartedly believe that Day hired a PI firm to investigate the Wolverines, and they hold the Ohio State head coach responsible for all of the program’s problems. Day’s brothers have been implicated in allegations that were widespread on X (formerly known as Twitter) and college football message boards.
You have the real-life rivalry between two coaches as an appetizer for a game that will likely determine who wins the Big Ten and advances to the College Football Playoff.
The two undefeated teams in the 2006 edition were named “The Game of the Century”. Legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler died of heart disease the day before the game. Doctors said he probably died because of all the excitement associated with the game.
It should not be heavier than that. Many people will tell you that 2006 cannot be compared to anything. Maybe it is not so. But it feels bigger in a different way.
This year we have two programs and two coaches that legitimately hate each other. Rivalries exist at all levels of the game and hatred is perhaps more common in the stands than on the field. but this? This is natural.
Even Schembechler and legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes – two men who presided over the Ten Year War from 1969 to 1978 – had love and admiration for each other. The two were close friends, even though they spent the entire year learning how to defeat each other. Woody visits Bo in the hospital after he has a heart attack. Bo gave a eulogy at Woody’s funeral.
They are the ultimate signs of respect. The two current coaches can’t even muster the energy to say words.
No matter the outcome of this game, it will resonate.
• Michigan wins: The Wolverines remain on top. He also says that the sign-stealing scandal has been fully exposed, and that the win over Ohio State is proof that they were always the better team. Even without sidelining Harbaugh, Michigan is better than its bitter rival. This victory also validates the results of the last two seasons. In return, Day has to return to Columbus with his tail between his legs to a fan base that has already attacked him.
• Ohio State wins: Day evened its record against Michigan at 2–2 and all was forgiven. His record against his biggest rival may not match that of Meyer (7-0) or Jim Tressel (9-1), but he gets extra credit for winning the biggest edition of this bitter rivalry. Ohio State re-establishes itself as the class of the Big Ten and possibly returns to the College Football Playoff to try to finish the job after coming close a year ago. Meanwhile, Michigan has been kicked out of the CFP and begins to face even more pressing questions about the Connor Stallions, the cheating scandal and how much improved scouting has helped the program in the first place .
When has any game been more compelling? Championship trophies are at stake on the field and self-respect is also at stake. For both teams.
Whether you’re an Ohio State fan or a Michigan fan, you can probably agree on one thing – that this is the best rivalry in college football and perhaps in sports. And the anticipation and genuine hatred that exists makes this Thanksgiving week even sweeter than usual.
This rivalry is nirvana.
It epitomizes what makes college football great.
Who isn’t grateful that this rivalry is back… and better than ever?
(Photo of Jim Harbaugh and Ryan Day: Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
