Of two minds

The Battle for the bowls:

No. 10 Michigan vs. Ohio State

Chris Tribbey

: The Lantern

Subpar season doesn't change meaning of game

From Columbus

Not so long ago, some Ohio State genius (probably a grad student) made a few hundred shirts depicting Michigan cheerleaders performing fellatio on Brutus Buckeye.

But ever since coach Earle Bruce was given the boot in 1987 and replaced by John Cooper, hardly any of the talk has to do with football.

Maybe the numbers 2-8-1 have something to do with it.

Since 1988, the Wolverines have owned Ohio State, with Cooper's Bucks mustering a measly two victories in 11 tries, with neither win coming in Ann Arbor. Ohio State was the favorite in six out of eight of those losses. Two of those cost Ohio State a shot at the national title.

Last year's win was, unbelievably, expected. Ohio State's team was one of the most talented ever, and beating Michigan 31-16 was a sweet little chunk of redemption, one that numbed the pain from the Bucks' one loss to that other Michigan school.

What a difference a year makes.

Now the Buckeye are 6-5, 3-4, plagued by in-hous fighting and unable to muster one more win to make them bowl eligible. In its loss to Michigan State two weeks ago, Ohio State mustered a measly 79 yards total offense, with zero coming on the ground (so much for three yards and a cloud of dust).

Last week, the Bucks surrendered 46 points in their loss to Illinois (I guess Michigan can relate), the most given up in Ohio Stadium since 1946 (a 58-6 loss to, you guessed it, the Wolverines). It was Ohio State's worst loss to Illinois since 1904 (and on Senior Day, no less!).

This is only the third season out of 110 that the Buckeye have had five double-digit losses.

The Wolverines, on the other hand, are having a typically great season. Only two losses, a comeback win against Penn State in Happy Valley (or State College, or University Park; can we say identity crisis?!) and, likely, a New Year's Day bowl.

But does it change The Game? It's widely accepted that rankings and records have about as much bearing on Ohio State vs. Michigan as the weather in Timbuktu. And it doesn't change the hatred either (Buckeye legend Woody Hayes nearly ran out of gas once in That State Up North, refusing to give his business to a Michigan gas station).

However, while anything and everything is possible in this final game of the season, most everyone, from both states, is vigorously nodding their heads at the twelve-and-a-half point spread in Michigan's favor.

Ohio State just isn't that good this time around.

So, go ahead Wolverines, just try and beat us.

Even if you do, there's one fact that you'll never be able to escape.

Our coach has a bigger contract than yours.

- Chris Tribbey is a senior journalism major at Ohio State. He does believe the Bucks can upset the Wolverines (but he won't be calling his bookie). He can be reached at tribbey.2@osu.edu

The Ohio State Lantern

11-18-99