Pride — not roses — on line for OSU, Michigan
Associated Press
ANN ARBOR, Mich.
Brady Hoke has added his own twist to The Game.
The Michigan coach refuses to identify his team’s archrival by its proper name. He demands that his players respond with “Ohio” when he says the word “Beat.” He offers the Wolverines constant reminders about how much they’ve been dominated by the Buckeyes lately.
Bo Schembechler would’ve loved it.
Woody Hayes probably would’ve, as well.
Hoke will lead the Wolverines against Ohio State for the first time today after watching the storied series as a kid in Dayton and experiencing it up close as an assistant at Michigan under Lloyd Carr.
“You can be the favorite and the underdog, but none of that matters in this football game,” Hoke said. “It never does.
The 17th-ranked Wolverines (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten) seem to have much more to lose. They have a good shot to snap a school-record, seven-game losing streak in the series and possibly play their way into a BCS bowl for the first time since the 2006 season.
“It’s kind of exciting,” said Michigan tight end Kevin Koger, who hails from Toledo. “If it is the BCS, better for us — right?”
Not for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes (6-5, 3-4) are motivated — especially the senior class — to avoid being on the field for Michigan’s first win over them since 2003.
Linebacker Andrew Sweat said Ohio State has “everything” to play for at the Big House.
“This game is bigger than any bowl game,” Sweat said.
A loss would sink the Buckeyes to their first 6-6 season since 1999, John Cooper’s next to last year, and end a season that has been miserable off and on the field.
“It would definitely say something if we came here and left without ever losing to them,” Ohio State center Mike Brewster said. “It’s definitely going to be a big memory and big part of our legacy. Even though this season has been rough, this would be a good way to end it.”
When the Hoke era began at Michigan in January, he pounded his fist with each word he spoke about beating the Buckeyes.
Hoke had a meet-and-greet session with his new team at the Big House and later told the Wolverines they were to say “Ohio” when he said “Beat” every time they got together.
The coach, who never wears red and won’t allow the color on clothes in Schembechler Hall, had clocks installed at team headquarters to count down the time before the game and posted signs showing players how many days it has been since they beat their archrival.
“You want to motivate your players on a daily basis,” Hoke said. “It’s just a reminder.”
Ohio State has won the last seven games by an average of two-plus touchdowns — by 25.3 on average the past three years against Rich Rodriguez — not long after Michigan enjoyed a 10-2-1 run in the rivalry that dates to 1897.