Michigan v Ohio State 2006 Edition

It is being called the game of the century. It is being called the national championship game. It has been hyped up since the middle of October, as the showdown. But to any true Michigan or Ohio State fan, it is simply "The Game".

When you talk to anyone in either state, and it does not matter if their first loyalties lie with OSU or Michigan, college football fans in both states openly admit that this game is the one that can make or break a season. The only difference is this is the first time in nearly 30 years both teams are undefeated going into the game. That one fact that it has taken nearly all of my life time for both schools to come into this week without a loss says something about both the changes in the Big Ten, College football, as well as the fact that both teams have had their share of ups and downs. Now the big issue I have is the fact that this game could very well end up just like all the hype and hoopla that ABC and ESPN have piled upon it, or it could end up as a brutal and ugly game like some of the old Bo v Woody games. Either way the true fans of both Michigan and Ohio State will enjoy it.

I can sit here and debate who is better, who has more talent, does Jim Tressel have Lloyd Carr's number like Carr did john Cooper, as well as many other aspects of the game. The list is huge, and the opinions run the gamut. But this is a rivalry game first, it is for the Big Ten Title, and a BCS Bid second. Woody Hayes said it best when he said, it would not matter if both teams were 0-10 going into this game the intensity and emotion would be the same. Neither teams season is considered a complete success unless they beat the other. And it is for those reasons alone that this game like every one before it will come down to some very simple guidelines.

• Who will play better football for a full 60 minutes.
• Who makes the fewest mistakes.
• Who runs the ball better.
• Which quarter back handles the pressure of a big game better.
• Which special teams does a better job of getting good field position.
• And which player on the supporting cast comes up with the most big plays.

Despite the fact that every "expert" on the face of the earth has sorted out the who, what, and how. I really believe that it will not be the stars on either team that will be the difference on Saturday. It is going to come down to which of the supporting cast stands out. Will it be Anthony Gonzalez, Tyler Ecker, Antonio Smith, Garrett Rivas, or some other player who steps up in what could be the biggest game they ever play in their lives and does something outstanding to change the game. Both teams have many players who are listed as having NFL caliber talent, however very few of those will ever again play in a game with as much hype, passion, history, love, hate, as well as what is at stake, The OUTRIGHT Big Ten Title, the Big Ten's automatic spot in the BCS, one of the 2 spots in the National title game on January 8th, and the continuation of a perfect season. All that being said, I am looking forward to a great football game that will be talked about for days and months in the future.

Links to UM-OSU articles and some Michigan memories. There are more than I can post here but enjoy the game.

And finally my prediction.... Michigan 20 Ohio State 17 with Michigan wining on a score in the last 3 minutes to either break the tie or come from behind.

http://www.ufer.org/sounds/Woody_Hayes_Poem.mp3
http://www.ufer.org/sounds/Billy_Taylor.mp3
http://www.ufer.org
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6179946
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2664956
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2661402
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=davie&id=2663536
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?page=Michigan-OhioState2K6
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6166680
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6179542