"Most" Ex-Wolverines Players Would Rather See Ohio State Lose Than Michigan Win the Big Ten
By Kyle Koster
Michigan-Ohio State is a fierce rivalry. Perhaps you’ve heard about it. Passion runs deep on both sides. The hatred runs so hot that it sometimes makes those involved make completely illogical choices. See: the legend of Woody Hayes pushing his car over state lines when it ran out of gas because he refused to spend a dime in enemy territory.
In 2015, such honor-based decisions are still being made.
The Associated Press contacted several former Michigan players to get their thoughts on the Wolverines’ current situation. Big Blue needs to win at Penn State and the Buckeyes to beat Michigan State on Saturday to set up a winner-take-all game for the Big Ten East title next weekend. A spot in the conference championship game would have delighted most Michigan fans before Jim Harbaugh began his first year in Ann Arbor. Forced into the undesirable position of rooting for their neighbors to the south, however, some would rather stick to their principles than get there.
"“Root for Ohio State to win?” 1971 All-America offensive lineman Reggie McKenzie asked incredulously. “I root for them to lose all the time.” The idea of pulling for the Buckeyes in any circumstance, 1996 All-America linebacker Jarrett Irons said, is unthinkable. He’s sure old Buckeyes feel the same way about Michigan."
That sentiment is popular among former players. The AP says “most” would rather root against Ohio State than win the division. There are some notable dissenters like Chad Henne and Jake Long who “swallowed hard” before admitting he’d be pulling for the scarlet and gray.
As a Spartan, I approve of the stubbornness and tradition of hatred. As a thinking person, however, I simply don’t understand it. Especially considering the fact that Michigan’s national title hopes — although slim — are technically still alive and would be buoyed by an extra game against highly-ranked Iowa and a conference crown.
Surely I don’t “get it” as I’ve only known a secondary rivalry with Michigan.
Sports makes for strange bedfellows, and with the College Football Playoff, rooting for future and past opponents to have success is, if not a necessary evil, more palatable if you believe the end justifies the means.
That being said, those former Wolverines hopping on the MSU bandwagon should brace themselves for a disappointing three-plus hours and blown pass coverages. Just a word of warning.
Image via USA Today Sports