Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry: It's Staying One-Sided...for Now

Five straight wins over Michigan has made Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel a walking legend. If everything else holds to form, don't expect anything to change for a while.

In total, it has been 1,924 days since Michigan last beat Ohio State. In that time-span, two different presidents have been elected, two leagues went into a lockout, and an entire coaching roster of the SEC has changed.

This OSU dominance is not the result of talent like some might assume. From 2003-2006, Michigan missed the BCS only once. And they did beat Florida in 2008 in the Capital One Bowl.

The problem lies in the class of 2008 that boldly guaranteed they would beat Ohio State in their senior year. Henne, Hart, and that crew talked a good game, but put zero wins against Ohio State in their respective resumes.

Even a coaching change failed to bring Michigan success. Ironically, it brought them their worst season ever, and second-worst loss to Ohio State in history.

The true difference, at first, was ideological motivation. When Tressel (aka "Vest") came to Columbus, he vowed he would never play Michigan lightly.

Soon after, building a long winning streak may have created a feeling of inferiority amongst Michigan fans, who still support the winningest program in the FBS.

Nowadays, talent is the difference, and the gap isn't shrinking any time soon. Back-to-back top-five recruiting classes by the Buckeyes have brought a high-level influx of speed and talent rarely seen in Columbus.

Michigan has also improved its recruiting base, landing a solid class in 2009, including two QBs capable of running Rich Rodriguez' spread-option which made him a legend in Morgantown.

The difference is, the Buckeyes' new players are coming into a program where young studs are playing with guys who have championship game experience.

Michigan does not have that luxury, and must learn how to win big games.

And as far as Buckeye fans are concerned, Terrelle Pryor may be the difference for years to come. Wolverine Nation is still bitter about his loss, while placing their hopes in incoming freshmen QBs Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson.

Conventional wisdom says OSU will win again in Ann Arbor next season, but this rivalry has always been anything but conventional. More times than not, the better team has lost this game.

The Wolverines could be back to their old selves around 2010. They will head back to the Horseshoe, facing junior QB Terrelle Pryor and what could be one of the greatest OSU teams ever.

If the direction of the rivalry is going to change any time soon, it will take some divine intervention to do so.

With a lengthy streak of losses combined with seeing your rival take amazing stockpiles of players and adding to their talent factory, it's tough for anyone in Ann Arbor to not fear the Buckeyes at this point.

The rivalry will come back one day, but it looks like it won't happen for a long time.