COLUMBUS, Ohio — If there’s one “what if?” moment that’s stood out in the recent history of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, it came in 2011.
With the Buckeyes having won their previous seven meetings with the Wolverines, they headed to Ann Arbor as an underdog and with no shortage of baggage still stemming from the “Tat-gate” scandal that resulted in the departures of head coach Jim Tressel and star quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Michigan would take advantage of the opportunity, beating Ohio State by a score of 40-34, sealing a trip to the Sugar Bowl in the process.
The victory over the Buckeyes was Brady Hoke’s first in college football’s most storied rivalry.
It would also prove to be his last.
Two days later, Ohio State hired Urban Meyer, and the Buckeyes proceeded to reel off a 48-4 record—including three wins over the Wolverines—in the next three-plus seasons.
Four years after Michigan’s short-lived changing of the guard in its rivalry with Ohio State, the Wolverines have their chance at a do-over. And with Jim Harbaugh prepared to coach in his edition of The Game at Michigan Stadium and the Buckeyes coming off their first loss in a 24-game span, it may not have come at a better time for the Wolverines.
Because while Hoke’s 11-2 start to his tenure in Ann Arbor proved to be fool’s gold, Harbaugh’s history would indicate that there’s nothing phony about the 9-2 start he’s gotten off to while coaching his alma mater this season. After…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Must Beware Changing of the Guard in Rivalry Showdown vs. Michigan
