I am old.    I think that is an important preface to what I am about to express.    I was alive and well during the "10 year war" with Woody and Bo.  Those games were epic - and it is difficult to explain to younger generations, because of evolution of media and access to almost anything.    In the 70's, you got to see Ohio State play on TV twice a year - IF you were insanely lucky.  Usually, they would be on TV for 1 regular season game a year - yes, when we play Michigan.    To say it was an "event" is an understatement.    As a child, I could not sleep before the game.    The Columbus Dispatch would have daily articles on "THE GAME" and even had an "IRON ON"  that I gleefully affixed to an old T-shirt.    It was all encompassing.   

I detested Michigan almost as much as I loved Ohio State.  But...I did respect them.   They played hard.  They had iconic helmets.  Their stadium seemed unfathomably huge.  Bo was a hard nosed coach - a lot like Woody.

I was at Wood Hayes funeral in the stadium and Bo spoke.   I remember coming to the realization that Michigan is Ohio State - just further North.  They love their team and they don't like us.    Bo spoke so highly of Woody - I almost tear up thinking about it.   

I was in the NYC during Big Ten meetings and I was staying at the Waldorf Astoria and I had the opportunity to meet a retired and much older Bo.   I was scared to approach him, but I did.   I said "Sir, I am a Buckeye, but I wanted you to know how much I respected what you said about Woody and watching OSU/UM with my father were some of the greatest days of my life!"    He looked at me and he smiled and he said "WE are part of something special - I am so glad to meet you!" and he had a twinkle in his eye - a sincere smile.  He was much smaller than I anticipated and also much larger than I had ever dreamed of.

Now - to my point.   I struggle to believe that Bo would be proud of where UM football is now.   We can begrudge UM all we want, but they are a blue blood.     But - in that last few decades, they have morphed into more of a "rogue" program - they seem to embrace being thugs.  Maybe influenced by the Pistons - or even the Raiders, but they are embracing a brand of football that I believe is beneath Michigan.

I am hoping to NOT get a lot of comments about how "they suck!," and "Michigan is the worst!"     I am honestly shocked that the institution has allowed Michigan to slip into this.    They are indignant about cheating, they try to intimidate before and after the game.  They try to instigate during the game.   I know Harbaugh famously said " Win at any cost - or die trying," but I am honestly shocked what UM has become.

I was SO VERY HAPPY that we did not "plant a flag" at their place.  That is bush league.   That is what "middle of the pack" teams do.    I am not sure if you heard about the entrance to the game.  UM players were screaming profanities, making threats and basically screaming before they exited and ran under their banner    OSU (as reported) did not say a word.  The reporters say you only heard their cleats coming out of the locker room - it was almost eerie.   

We are a program that gets respect.   Our coach doesn't taunt the  opposing crowd (who in the hell does that??).  Our team doesn't plant flags.   We don't blatantly cheat and then deny and deflect.   We don't pull opposing players shoes off during a game.   We also don't average 3.8 losses a year this century - not counting the 3 "questionable" years.

I have friends who are UM fans.    I know they are frustrated at what UM has become.    I am in disbelief that Michigan has allowed it to get to this point.    They do NOT respect the game.  AS much as I hate Michigan, I miss when they respected themselves.  

Anyways. GO BUCKS....and please never fall into this pit.