MOUNT VERNON — College athletics is full of intense rivalries, but the most intense of them all perhaps involves The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan. The matchup has been a long standing battle between two consistent powers both in the Big Ten and the national football scene, and this year, the game is no different. Both teams are looking for a big win, and the game, once again, plays a factor in conference and national standings.
For local OSU alumni, the game is a must watch, and always lives up to the hype.
“The OSU-Michigan game is the most important game of the season,” said Dave Daniels, vice president of the Ohio State Alumni Association-Knox County Chapter. “The records mean nothing when it comes to the game. It is the most looked forward to game in the OSU season. There is a lot of history here; this is a friendly rivalry.”
For Earl Bechtel the feeling is mutual. The Fredericktown native was a proud member of the varsity football squad in 1951 and 1952. He played with two Heisman Award winners and under, arguably, the most famous of all Ohio State coaches — Woody Hayes.
“The rivalry is so special,” said Bechtel. “Sometimes it is overwhelming; sometimes ridiculous and idiotic, but it’s football and our culture and society. While we were there, we knew it was something special; it was intense.
“It’s pretty hard to imagine any game bigger than this one, and there are a lot of them around,” continued Bechtel. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Michigan. It’s a marvelous university, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to kick their butts.”
That is a general consensus among OSU fans. Of all the games in the season, this one is the one that every fan circles on their calendar. Bob Lantz, an OSU grad and member of the OSU marching band for all four years of his college career from 1944-1947, still waits for the match-up every year. He doesn’t miss it.
“The game is an old rivalry,” Lantz said. “We are neighboring states and Michigan always has a good team. There is a long standing tradition associated with this game. Everyone thinks about this game all season long.”
There is no doubt that this is a rivalry with serious implications. This year, Ohio State looks to grab a share of the Big Ten title with a win and a Penn State loss. The game captures the attention of not only two entire states, but most of the country.
“Without a doubt this is one of the best rivalries in all of sports,” said Lantz. “I think the entire country is interested in this game. They almost always both have a good season and many times the Big Ten championship is being decided by this game.”
All the alumni agree, this is the most anticipated matchup for both teams, and they all agree that Ohio State will come out on top this year. The one thing they don’t agree on is how much the Buckeyes will win by.
“I think this year will be a great matchup,” said Daniels. “I don’t think it will be pushover. I think it will be an intense, hard-hitting game. I believe OSU will come out ahead by two touchdowns.”
Lantz agrees that the Buckeyes will come one step closer to evening up the series record.
“Ohio State will win by the score of 24-6,” Lantz said. “It will be a very good game.”
Bechtel doesn’t see this year’s match-up as much of a contest however, and Buckeye fans hope to see a result like he expects.
“38-10. I can’t imagine it being a very close game,” said Bechtel.
No matter what the outcome, there is no doubt that television sets will be on throughout the country to watch one of the most storied rivalry games in all of college football, and there is very little doubt that fans will once again be treated to a great game.