TTUN fans may think a revival is in short order, but I think over the last 10-15 years, the climate has changed a lot in ways that will make that comeback pretty difficult.

Main factors in keeping TTUN irrelevant in college football:

(1) Ohio State: the Academic prestige of the university has grown the past 15 years. Alumni. TBDBITL. The whole athletic department success in multiple sports. The talent rich state of Ohio football. Archie Griffin. 

(2) Urban Meyer: football innovation. Competitive fire. Recruiting. Swaggernaut.  Organizational management. Donor relations.

(3) Mark Dantonio: 6-2 record versus TTUN. Chip on his shoulder. Tressell protege. Develops talent. 

(4) UM "politics." M-Man regularly speaks to the very weird political struggles that influence TTUN athletics. The kind that lead to not supporting Rich Rod & hiring Hoke and Brandon. 

(5) Detroit: When your main city is an utter mess, it's hard on everyone.

What at others can you think of?