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Spielman, Herbie Stoke the Rivalry Flames

In case you don’t get 1460 The Fan which is likely if you live outside the outerbelt, Herbstreit and Spielman had a great back and forth yesterday as they discussed this Saturday’s clash.

With tongues somewhat in cheek, the two didn’t paint a pretty picture when discussing the Wolverines and what they expect to occur in The Game.

The Detroit News was able to pick up the comments and put them out there for the Wolverine faithful to see. Normally, I’d assume the head coach of said team up north would use these comments as bulletin board material but considering the current coach doesn’t seem interested in grasping the rivalry, maybe not. Either way, the conversation was classic sarcastic Spielman with a touch of tolerable Herbie.

Spielman lobbed this bomb to kick it off:

“Anybody that played in that game understands what that game is and how special it is. For Michigan, I think it’s vital for them because they have absolutely nothing. I admit when I’m wrong — I was wrong about Michigan winning four games. I think they’re going to win three…This team has no confidence, man. They’re dead men walking.”

Gotta love a guy that will admit when he’s wrong.

After some minor comments from Herbie about UM just wanting the game to be over, Spielman struck again prompting Herbie to fully join the fray:

Spielman: “I don’t think it’s going to be close. They’re not very good. The problem Michigan has is they know they’re not very good, and the coaches know they’re not very good, and the fans know they’re not very good.”

Herbstreit: “They’re a tough watch, watching that outfit. This is a great example of why I like to see Michigan be a very good, very competitive team. They’re 3-8 on their way to 3-9. And this is like the year somebody told you (the truth) about Santa Claus. This is like taking all the wind out of the sails.

“I know it’s still Ohio State-Michigan, and when the teams run onto the field, it’s still special, but this is just anti-climatic. (Michigan is) going to run onto the field, and ‘Booooooo!’ Who you booing? They’re 3-8.

“If they didn’t have to be there, they wouldn’t be there. They’re sorry they have to be there. They don’t want to be. They’re going to take the game, get it over with and get out of there.”

I think I’m tearing up…

Herbie, correctly, lamented the fact Michigan stinks and the impact their suck has on the rivalry but Spielman didn’t seem too sympathetic:

Spielman: “I love seeing them beaten down. It’s not our fault Michigan’s bad. What do you want us to do, give ‘em some of our players to make it fair? They’re not holding up their end of the bargain. It’s on them.”

Herbstreit: “I understand that, it’s on them. But the rivalry is built upon the game meaning so much to both sides. When I think about being a little kid and watching that game, I think of great Ohio State and great Michigan teams, and that’s the way I wish it was every year.”

Spielman: “I wish it was, too, but they screwed up. They had to go and mess it up. They got their dirty maize-and-blue hands on it, they screwed it up.”

God Bless Chris Spielman.

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65 Responses

  1. frosty says:

    Correction: You may not be able to tune into 1460 on a cloudy day or even during Daylight Savings Time.

    Seriously, I can hardly pick it up these days & I work in Dublin & live near the Bethel/Sawmill area. It’s ridiculous. I find myself listening to Mark the Shark on 103.9 FM lately because I can’t stand the fuzz & weak signal on 1460. I can sometimes pick up Cleveland’s 1100 AM better.

  2. vermont buckeye says:

    If you are online you can stream 1460 the fan. Living in Vermont, I occasionally listen to columbus radio.

  3. Chris says:

    I hear you, Frosty. I was being kind because I have the same issue in Westerville at night. I think they put Ricordati up on the roof in a construction hat with a coat hanger sticking out of it to try and help matters. No dice.

  4. BrotherBuck says:

    I’ve seen 10,000 posts on various boards since Saturday stating, “RichRod doesn’t get it.” How could he possibly “get it” unless he’s been part of it before?

    The enormity of this rivalry is finally becoming a realization for him and he is obviously, overwhelmed.

    For Pete’s sake, he crapped his pants looking across the field at Dave Wannstedt. Imagine what this week is doing to him.

  5. Chris says:

    Good point, BrotherBuck. I completely agree you can’t “get” something you haven’t experienced.

    That said, my observation so far is what I wrote - he doesn’t seem interested in grasping the rivalry. Like he wants to pretend it’s not a big game until he’s got a team he feels can compete in it.

  6. ck says:

    listen I’m 99% sure we’re going to win. But this is The Game, right? I mean, wouldn’t that be a kick in the nuts to us if we lose simply because we didn’t treat it like it was The Game? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think RichRod is treating it that way, but my gut says Michigan is going to put up a fight. It’s not like the players don’t know - most of them probably grew up with hatred towards all things OSU. And despite what the coaching staff thinks about this rivalry, the players have not forgotten the fact they’ve lost 4 in a row. This game is not guaranteed and all of this talk scares that 1% of me.

  7. Jason says:

    ck, I hear you, but I’m taking my schadenfreude chances this week.

    They will come out fired-up, but the emotion is only going to carry them for so long. First, they’re just plain bad. Like typical Northwestern bad. And they’re pretty banged-up as well.

    As fans we can be as confident as we want. We’re not taking snaps out there. I’m sure the players will come out with the proper amount of hatred and take care of things knowing they have a chance to really put a hurting on their fiercest rival. They know that completely obliterating the Wolverines will take some of the sting out of the season.

    And if all else fails. Pryor.

  8. Chris says:

    Right. UM was bad when healthy. They are even worse unhealthy. Anything can happen, but not this week.

  9. Tom Blogical says:

    Chris Spielman is my favorite Buckeye of all-time. Hands down. This is exactly why.

  10. Chris says:

    Spielman is also far and away my favorite Buckeye of all-time.

  11. J.B. says:

    It still maybe Ohio State and Michigan running out of the tunnel, but this game doesn’t have the same feel as it has had every year of my life. The old phrase about this game has always been “You can throw wins and losses out the window, it doesn’t matter during “The Game”", but the statement means NOTHING this year.

    If Rich Rod doesn’t understand the rivalry, then how does he get his players to buy in to it? The only reason why the above statement was true is because of the rivalry and the motivation to destroy the other team no matter how much better they were. Teams on both sides have been able to rise up and play their best game of the year, but if you don’t understand that then it’s just another game.

    Michigan is horrible, the fact that Sheridan is starting makes them even worse!!! Horrible team with a coach that doesn’t get it…. Makes this game no different than OSU-Northwestern.

    You give Les Miles this same Michigan team… Then I might understand the “Anything can happen in this game” speech.

  12. Tom Blogical says:

    This was a very entertaining read also.

    RichRod. The gift that keeps on giving.

  13. tampa buckeye says:

    If we don’t show up we will lose this game. Stay focused.

  14. buckeyedude says:

    I highly doubt that Ohio State is taking this game lightly. But by the sounds of Rich Rod, UM may be taking this game lightly. RR better not have sex with Rita on friday, because he’s going to need all of his energy to yell at the UM players at halftime. Then it’ll get even worse.

  15. Mike says:

    RR reminds me of some guy who used to parade the sidelines in Columbus…he too just didn’t get it! “Just another game” as I recall…yes and that’s why he was fired! Go Bucks!

  16. Steve says:

    Wow, Spielman holding nothing back. GO BUCKS!

  17. flipbuckeye says:

    You can stream the Big Show online or even download the show with a little googling. It helps me get through my work day for sure.

  18. Bucksfanxc says:

    Listen, we definately should win this Game. But on a “normal” year, where the teams are somewhat close in talent, coaching, execution, etc., if we lose The Game, it is devastating to watch. Imagine if we lose this year, it would be suicidial. That’s what has me worried.

  19. PALM BEACH BUCKEYE says:

    ………. If the Buckeyes come out and play with the same intensity that we did against Illinois, we will be fine and it will be a Buckeye Massacre….

    If the boyz read their own press… it could be a long day. Michigan has everything to gain from this game. Since Tressel got here (2001), the Buckeyes have played their best games vs UM. They have given 110% in all of these games, even the 2003 loss….. I just don’t see the letdown here.

  20. BuckeyeSki says:

    Do it for Woody

  21. GO BLUE says:

    You all make fun off rich rod saying its just a game. well isn’t it just a game? I mean you have posters talking about committing suicide if *S* loses. “Get a life!” I’m pretty sure those were the losers he was commenting to. The crazy die hard fans that invest so much emotionally you’d think they were actually playing. All in all, it’s these seniors at UoM’s last game they will be fired up to play no matter what. Win or lose (probably the latter) they’ll leave it out on the field.

  22. flipbuckeye says:

    It must be easy to detach yourself from your team when you’re facing a 3-win season.

  23. blazers says:

    I wouldnt be making excuses about Tress if we were as shitty as UM. and NO its not just ‘another game’

  24. GO BLUE says:

    No not really. My parents have had season tickets to games since I was three. I’m as big of a Michigan fan as you can get. It’s just football. I remember one of my friends who is a buckeye fan (a true buckeye fan, archie griffin is his godfather. I met him in person, shook his hand, posed for photos with him and got his autograph on christmas eve years back) told me “I hated losing to michigan in the cooper era and it drove me crazy, and you’d show no emotion after the win. Now, we beat you four years in a row and it kills me just as much to see you not care. I want to see you just as pissed off as I was.” This was just comical to me cause why am I going to get upset and commit suicide over nothing I can control. It’s just a game. I just sit there with a remote in my hand. I had cleats once but I don’t put them on Saturdays anymore. So, to you suicidal fans: honestly get a life! Please, don’t burn the city down and make Columbus anymore of a shithole

  25. GO BLUE says:

    I never said it’s just another game. I said it’s just a game but a big one in that. Just from my responses you people are getting fired up. Relax calm down. There’s no need to grow mullets and beat your wives over this. It will be ok. Deep breathes

  26. PALM BEACH BUCKEYE says:

    Blue Man:

    Those quotes about this being just any game–that was the same attitude John Cooper had and he always came out strong, but lost in the end because Michigan treated the game differently and prepared for it differently. It is not debateable.. 2-10-1 Coop 3 undefeated teams beaten by lesser UM teams— 93, 95, 96 because he treated the UM game as “just another game”—

    Newsflash: this is not just any game and this is the Championship game every year–regardless of records. DickRod will be fired withing 3 years if he keeps making stupid “get a life” comments and does not treat this game as a special one every year. He needs to quit banging that Lounge Ho, RitaRod and focus on the tradition and special nature of this game. Those UM fans in Ann Arbor and Detroit do have a life and it is pretty brutal right now with the shitty economy and bankrupt auto industry…. DickRod needs to devote his attention to them and realize that this game may be the focus of alot of these people for weeks and their enjoyment on a Saturday afternoon. Earn your millions DickRod and work for the people….. Tressel has figured this out.

  27. PALM BEACH BUCKEYE says:

    Blue:

    Your are a gutless coward, because you are setting yourself up for the loss and claiming to “not care”. Losers don’t care….. real fans care. Grow a set…

    And Ann Arbor is one of the shittiest places I have ever visited… the entire town goes to sleep at 7:30pm. Can’t even get good Chinese or Mexican food there– What the hell is in Ann Arbor besides that Stinking University?? Detroit doesn’t count–different city

  28. Bo Schembechler says:

    GO BLUE sounds like a fairweather fan to me. Give your tickets to someone more worthy.

    “I’m as big of a Michigan fan as you can get. It’s just football.” <– lol? No emotion after a win over OSU? GTFOAA.

  29. GO BLUE says:

    Wow, very insightful palm beach. You basically made the same statement as rich rod. THE ECONOMY sucks, especially for those people living in Detroit and Flint Michigan. Do you honestly believe one win on a Saturday will carry away all the woes these people have about losing their jobs? Maybe, for one night, but newsflash that problem will still remain. Will your jubilation carry on for weeks and weeks after you clobber a sub-par team? The fact of the matter is this: Rich Rod was dealt a poor hand coming into this season. Walk-on quarterback starter, a terrible offensive line, only two starters back on offense, and a new system. Him being canned in three years will just start the cycle all over again with the players he has coming in.

    Again, these “get a life,” statements were meant for the morons who put their lives in this game. Commiting suicide if they lose? Now that man needs a life.

  30. GO BLUE says:

    You got me good with another insightful post. The chinese food sucks in ann arbor. their aren’t any fine mexican diners. haha what a joke you are. If you want fine chinese dining go to china. For mexican food go to mexico. I mean what kine of a post was that. Grow a set and then do what? Cry when my team loses? Dump a bottle of gatorade on my son when they win, and shake a bottle of champaigne and have it explode all over my family room? Haha rich rod got it right. Get a life.

  31. BuckeyeSki says:

    Being the poker player I am……being dealt a bad hand doesnt mean you have to lose with it….make it work. DickRod is a loser and I’m not just saying that because he coaches scUm….he was a loser at WVU too. I actually had a speckle of respect of Carr….at least he knew what it was all about.

    Don’t let the Big Blue Troll get you guys fired up…his season has been over since Labor Day and its been almost 2000 days of real time since he’s had a victory over the team for “shithole columbus” STFU and have fun at the hockey games….seems to be the only sport scUM excels at

  32. BuckeyeSki says:

    If we were having the horrid season you know that these boards would be flowing with anti-scarlet sentiment compliments of the Urine & Blue. But thats right….a bad season for tOSU is only getting 10 wins……

  33. GO BLUE says:

    Dont forget baseball and swimming. You all probably couldn’t even root for phelps huh. haha and the 03 game wasn’t even that exciting. My favorite game of all time was 06. Nothing can beat that classic, and wait my team lost. I didn’t get pissed. I was actually pleased with that game cause it was probably the one of if not the best of all time.

  34. LiC says:

    It’s funny that he thinks it’s just another game, yet he goes out of his way to visit a Buckeye blog to try and convince us that he doesn’t care. If you don’t care then go away. We’ll still enjoy another consecutive victory over Michigan whether or not you think this is a big game.

    Fair. Weather. Fan.

  35. GO BLUE says:

    You all act like OSU has never been bad there ski. You’ve had 6 years now of solid football. Don’t forget cooper and don’t forget who has the winningest program of all time. Don’t forget in the big picture we still dominate this series. Don’t forget!

  36. PALM BEACH BUCKEYE says:

    Blue:

    There are 2 ways to look at life:

    1: I was born with 3 strikes against me and I am going to do something about it and improve my lot in life. This person will work his ass off and get what he wants by the strength of his efforts.

    2: I was born with 3 strikes against me and I am going to cry about it and be a bitter non-productive sob for my entire life. This person has no passion and doesn’t care.

    Please teach your son to be #1…… my kids cheer for the Buckeyes with me every Saturday and we are all bummed out if they lose. Our life continues because there is much to be happy about other than football, but we cheer for Our beloved Buckeyes with 100% effort and we feel the pain of a loss with 100% effort as well. That is what seperates a winner from a loser in life–effort.

    I am sorry about the wise-cracks about Ann Arbor, you are right– I should go to China for Chinese food and Mexico for Mexican food. What the heck kinda food can I get in Ann Arbor–oh Yea isn’t Dominoe’s pizza based there???

  37. GO BLUE says:

    Fair.weather.fan? haha i heard that one before. Read the posts before putting in your input and wasting your own time with pointless statements like that. Come up with something original LiC then talk. I’ve seen some of the same names on here on the michigan blogs so I thought why not come and post on your site.

  38. Mike Hart says:

    For the record, GO BLUE is not representative of the Michigan fanbase. He is obviously a fairweather fan by the way he talks about our team. He’s the loser in the stands that doesn’t stand up and cheer, or even boo the team when they’re struggling. I’d rather have fans that cheer and boo than not do anything at all. Good riddance to you. Give up your seats to the real fans.

    P.S. I am gay.

  39. Buckrific says:

    It is easy to not care when you are losing every week. A “die-hard” scUM fan would show emotion after a win over tOSU. This guy is a douche, don’t let him get to you. I would care if tOSU lost to TOLEDO! Give me a break.

  40. LiC says:

    Just stating the truth. You must hear it a lot.

    You aren’t much of a fan if you aren’t happy when the team wins or sad or angry when they lose.

  41. GO BLUE says:

    Again LiC you point out something someone has pointed out. You are a clever one aren’t ya? Shit, I cheer at the games and no I won’t boo. Maybe you all should start from the top and actually read the posts instead of reading one statement and making exaggerations. When the game is said and done I’ll be disappointed, or happy, for about a minute. I was originally responding to the morons who said they were going to commit suicide if OSU loses. I was originally defending rich rod for saying get a life to those type of fans. Thats just idiotic. Go ahead keep spitting your hate fueled propaganda. This world is a better place for it.

  42. GO BLUE says:

    Palm Beach to your Dominoe’s statement: THAT WAS AWESOME. You’d be like the top shit talker in the best shit talker contest in the world. That one felt like a knife went right thru my heart.

  43. flipbuckeye says:

    You’re still here? Go away.

  44. PALM BEACH BUCKEYE says:

    Knife thru the heart……………….. guaranteed in 30 minutes or less

  45. GO BLUE says:

    Wow internet tough guy. So are you going to teach that lesson to your kids as well?

  46. Brian says:

    Whats going on Blue? I appreciate you trying to talk some sense into us Bucks fans especially those that say they are going to commit suicide. BUT, I think you are missing a point. They are exagerating, using a figure of speech. I will be pissed off for a couple hours if we happen to lose, then I’ll get over it and go about my life. The fact is Michigan is a shitty ass team this year. Secondly, Rich Rod doesnt understand how important this game is to both Michigan and Ohio State fans because he is not from either state and ten to one has never been to a game. After this game he is going to get a rude awakening whether he wins or loses. Preferably the latter. The fact that he is coming out and saying that this is just another game is ludicrus. In our two states this is the only game that truly matters all year. When the teams our having great years its a bonus to each team. Especially when it has Big Ten championships and Rose Bowl berth appearences involved. I’m a die hard bucks fan, I hope we destroy you Saturday. I think it would be good though that Rich Rod gets his had out of his ass soon and realize how important this game truly is.

  47. Lloyd Carr (aka Palm Beach Buckeye) says:

    Dear Buckeye Fans:

    I am writing this letter in support of GO BLUE. He is the reason that I stayed in Ann Arbor and the reason that I coached with such a passionless disdain. It is fans like this that motivated me to such mediocrity and helped me to recruit the fine athletes that are playing for my Beloved Miiiiiiiichigan today.

    Please allow him to continue his efforts and to pass his efforts along to his offspring. I also would like to wish my friend Jim Tressel well and I thank him for allowing my best offensive lineman the opportunity to continue his career at such a fine institiution.

    Yours Truly:

    Lloyd Carr

  48. GO BLUE says:

    Yes committing suicide is a figure of speech a great one in that. I use it daily! Stuck in traffic-Im going to commit suicide. Hard day of work-I’m going to commit suicide. It just rolls off the tongue so nicely. Now “it’s just a game” is a figure of speech. You don’t think he wants to lull these buckeyes into coming out thinking they are just going to roll Michigan. He wants them to think Michigan believes “it’s just another game.” Why? Cause just another game for us this year is just another L. We are undersized, injured, and have a lot less talent. The only thing he has left is mind games. I’m a sports fan, but I have never been to a bo sox game or a yankee game. Yet, I still understand the whole spectrum of that rivalry. I’m guessing rich rod is a sports fan as well and does know what this rivalry means to Michigan fans. Thanks brian tho, for not bashing me with jibberjabber and actually making a statement to something I said instead of these other chuckleheads who just want to tell you dominoe’s sucks and ann arbor has no where good to eat and I’m lloyd carr and you got me fired.

    ps I hope to destroy you all as well

  49. Lloyd Carr (aka Palm Beach Buckeye) says:

    You are a condescending a-hole who does not understand anything about sports rivalries….. Lets just all get allong… you like Michigan, why?? Nice color hat, great wings on the helmets, you like the fight song??? Where is your passion man….. the players feel that lack of passion as well.

  50. blazers says:

    Guys,

    Can you believe those losers actually care if their teams win or lose? What a bunch of losers.

    Love,

    Go Blue

  51. BuckeyeSki says:

    For the record, I def. would not waste my time going on the Miiiiiiiiiichigan sites and proclaiming victory…….at least not this year LOL

  52. GO BLUE says:

    Ya the players feel that passion from charlotte, nc sitting in my living room. Haha palm beach your posts just get worse and worse. Now I am only responding to someone who wants to talk football not just food sucks, youre an a-hole, I teach my kids to care, grow a set, lack of passion. Youre attacking me there buddy i started out defending rich rod and since most of you posters here do not know how to debate you just attack with negative statements about nothing. Fair weather fan blah blah blah. Use that brain of yours palm beach to defend something. You sound like my little boys and their friends argueing in the back yard. “Oh ya well your dad’s a poopy cocka face.” Please stop wasting your time Palm Beach. Maybe, get a job or something. (To save you some time there about asking me what my job is and pointing out that I’m probably a poopy garbage man I’ll tell you I’m on sick leave) So let the verbal bludgeoning continue. I can’t wait to hear lloyd carr’s next great revelation! I hope it’s something about my mom!

  53. PALM BEACH BUCKEYES says:

    ……. For the record I could care less about what you do/don’t do for a living. I live very nicely in Palm Beach, Florida.

    I won’t insult your mom at all–that is out of bounds. She has to acount for you, that is enough.

    Passion is felt through the Alumni association, the message boards, the publications, the TV and radio announcers, the coaches, and the fans in the stadium. Believe it or not, players make choices of schools based on perceptions and passion (ask Terrelle Pryor)…. and before you can say it doesnt matter…. DickRod called him first to inform him of his decision to go to Miiiiiiiichigan and DickRod pursued him to the last second.

    I am truly sorry that you are out on sick leave and I hope you return to good health and get back out there and contribute to the tax base. Lets see if you log into this site on Monday if the Wolvereeeeeniiies lose.

  54. BuckeyeSki says:

    what is this ‘if’ nonsense Palm Beach?

  55. Tbuck75 says:

    I heard this exchange on the radio and also Desmond Howard the other day basically saying that, as an alum, he is not looking forward to Saturday in the Shoe. Rich Rod in less than a year has done way more harm than good for “the School Up North”. Is Michigan the next Tennessee or Nebraska (way off of the national radar for years). As an OSU alum and Big Ten fan, I hope that Michigan is relevant again sometime and that this rivalry gets back to where it was just 2 years ago. Michigan needs Hart….I mean heart!

  56. PALM BEACH BUCKEYES says:

    pardon me ski……… When

  57. Bucksfanxc says:

    Boy, guess I shouldn’t have used the word suicidial, huh?
    But besides that one word (which, by the way, was a bit of hyperbole, I wouldn’t kill myself over anything that UofM does, especially on a football field), are you criticizing us for caring too much about our football team? It’s not as if we don’t care just as passionately about other things. I know for sure that’s not the case for me. I hope for your sake you have something in your life that you can love as dearly as I love the Buckeyes, my friends/family, and my career. If you don’t, than I feel sad for you, and not just because your football team sucks, is going to be 3-9, won’t be at a bowl game, and has to cling to an antiquated statistic that shows off how many times it used to beat all the other teams that were around in the 1800s.

  58. North Coast Buckeye says:

    All - Doesn’t it piss you off that DickRod is going to ruin this rivalry? He was a scumbag at WVU and looks like things aren’t going to change in Ann Arbor!

  59. Born Buckeye says:

    Spielman is awesome - he is the type of Buckeye that lives for this week. Whether he is a player or not you have to think his blood boils during the week of THE GAME. GO BUCKS!

  60. Dean says:

    GO BLUE can’t read. Yes, the word “suicidal” was used, but he was saying it would be suicidal for the program to lose to the cream puffs that are coming down to Columbus this weekend. I don’t think ANYONE said they were going to kill themselves. I suppose they don’t teach reading comprehension up in Ann Arbor these days.

  61. Kev King says:

    “Getting it” IS the problem. I say this as I bleed for Michigan…RichRod HAS TO get it. Tressel got what the game means almost a year before he even coached in it, and even during Ohio State week he, Rich, doesn’t GET IT…telling people to get a life, yada yada yada. He needs a hardcore humbling and a kick in the ass, and if 3-8 and a home loss to Toledo wasn’t enough of a humbling (and it doesn’t seem like it has been for him), then maybe losing down there by 5 TDs will make this smug megalomaniac understand it….GO BLUE, but sadly I say that meekly. It sucks to not really even care about the game.

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