Arcing through the sky and landing...
...in hell.
Intensity?
HA!
You have no idea unless your heart is firmly in the hands of either
OSU or UM. This is the standard. This is Ohio State Michigan. No need for the “versus” or the “and” in the middle. In this game the two warriors become one to the outsiders. Fitting in that this is an inner battle. True, it is fought on the field, but at the expense of the nerves and the minds of the combatants. It is a mental game before it becomes a physical game. Waiver or doubt and you are beaten.
This is what it is all about. It is tribal.
The crowd shakes the earth and the hits jar consciousness. The pain is forgotten...VALHALLA AWAITS!!!
Sure, these kids chose
OSU or UM because they love the school and are passionate about the tradition that is woven into each university's core. But make no mistake: the beginning and end of the thread used to construct all that is
OSU and UM is the rivalry. With out each other we are just two more big ten teams. Leaning on each other in battle we become two of the greatest and most renowned boxers in the game, thanks to THE GAME.
Coach speak tells us every game is critical and we want to beat everybody. The faithful are not fooled...we want M*ch*gan. The rest of the games are just the means that justify the end. Another year and the final closing chapter of the season becomes the prelude to the NEXT year. THE GAME is upon us. An era comes to an end for the seniors. They will be remembered for their record against UM more so than their overall winning percentage.
Heroes will be made. Lives will be changed, and not just on the field. This is about passion, pride and respect. Self worth hangs in balance for literally millions of people. Think I am kidding? Sounds too extreme? Check yourself and think again. Win and feel at ease. Lose and doubt fills the gaps in our lives. Really. Subconsciously or straight up in our thoughts and prayers...it is that significant. Being a Buckeye is part of how we are defined by those around us. It is part of our character. It is who we are. It is how we are often introduced to new people....I'd like you to meet a friend of mine..he went to Ohio State and is a BIG Buckeye fan...I see by your resume that you went to Ohio State. How about those Buckeyes? Think they will beat M*ch*gan this year?
Beat M*ch*gan.
The words bring chills to all of us, no matter the context, no matter the time. Utter those two words in any setting and thoughts are immediately drawn to November. UM fans can say we are just another game. For all I care they can even believe that. For me, it is on the line Saturday. The joy of victory or the agony of defeat. I can't claim a role in the outcome, but I will have tears on my checks just like the kids in the trenches whose effort won or lost the day. I am there.
I am the rivalry.
Are you ready? After Saturday we wind the countdown back to 364 days and start over. This is the time. This is "why". We waited all year for it.
What have YOU done today to BEAT M*CH*GAN?
The ball hangs there against the blue sky for a moment... peaceful.
Linear Mode
