Michigan’s Jake Long in 2007.(Photo: Julian H. Gonzalez, DFP) No Michigan Man worth his salt would ever want help from Ohio State to win a Big Ten championship. Or would he? Most of the former Michigan players interviewed this week said they couldn’t bring themselves to hope for a Buckeyes win over Michigan State on Saturday even though it would keep alive the Wolverines’ title hopes — as long as they win at Penn State. “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 passion created by what many call the greatest rivalry in college football runs deep on both sides and extends well beyond the late-November Saturday each year when Michigan and Ohio State meet in what’s simply known as “The Game.” 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. You’ll never convince Irons to put his hatred — really, that isn’t too strong a word — on a one-week hiatus and hope Ohio State knocks the Spartans out of the East Division race. If Ohio State and Michigan win this week, it would set up a showdown in Ann Arbor, Michigan next week for a trip to the Big Ten championship game. Of course, cheering for the Buckeyes against the Spartans would be choosing the lesser of two evils. Ohio State always will be Rival No. …
Continue Reading: UM needs OSU’s help, but ex-players don’t want it
