Michigan vs. Ohio State (THE Game)

My first memory of this classic series is 1986. The Harbaugh led Wolverines walked into Columbus and fell behind Cris Carter's Buckeyes 14-3. However, Big Blue stormed backed from the early deficit to clip the Bucks 26-24, to clinch the Big Ten and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

I was 9 at the time and the hatred began that day. Over the years it has intensified and now lives at a soft boil, some 21 years later.

The 18th of November, 2006, will present to us one of the best match-ups in college football history. Not only is it Michigan vs. Ohio State, but it's for all the marbles. As if pure detest isn't enough, these two powerhouses will decide who books a trip to the National Championship this Saturday.

The ferocity of this series is unmatched. The war of the border is like no other. The tension escalates with each passing year and has now come to a climax. In the 102 year history of this epic series, never have they met ranked #1 and #2 and its quite possible it will never happen again.

For the fans, it is a week of two tales. The media coverage will be intense. You'll hear more statistics regarding the two teams then you'll care to know. The analysts will spew their meaningless jargon to hype THE Game to its highest magnitude. But come Friday night, every Michigan and Ohio State fan will have a feeling in the pit of their stomach that will not let them sleep. In fact, I doubt many do. Saturday morning will be welcomed with arms wide open, yet the nervousness and tension will escalate to unprecedented proportions.

Nobody is fooling anybody this week. Those fans who have an attachment to this game cannot concentrate a lick without thinking to Saturday. The game will be joyous for one side and sorrowful for the other. The emotions let loose during the week could supply enough power to generate a major city for months. What this game means to many cannot be quantified by on-field statistics. We will all hear why one team should beat the other, but emotions win in this rivalry. More often than not, the more talented team walks off as the loser. Heart and determination trump god given skill in this battle.

The media content this week has gotten so large that one doesn't even know where to begin. Maybe its best to just sit back and reflect. Enjoy some old classic battles between the two schools and relish in the history this rivalry has provided. After all, nobody truly understands the magnitude of this match-up outside of the two teams and its fan base. No one can comprehend the difficulty sleeping the Friday night before the game and the angst leading up to it on Saturday morning. Most of all, nobody on the outside understands the anguish of a loss that lives with us for 364 days.

But those within the walls of this classic rivalry fully understand what's at stake on Saturday for the 103rd time. Some will pop out of bed Sunday morning, while others will try to convince themselves it was only a dream.

Michigan vs. Ohio State for a chance to claim it all.


DP