Michigan-Ohio State: An Old Rivalry with a New Face

Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes you may get it. It’s a little early to be knocking those who desperately wanted a leadership change in Michigan, but I’m sure their expectations of a rebuilding project didn’t include digging the deepest hole in the history of Ann Arbor.

The blueprint called for the resurrection of new on the foundations of old, but that original foundation could not secure the weight of incoming change. The year of 2008 offered a ground breaking ceremony. The deeper we dug into the season, the lower the descent of the program, and appreciation for the ousted Lloyd Carr rose to the surface like dust in the air.

Some are probably wishing they could take that old Carr for one last spin. Flushed from Wolverines’ sidelines, he takes with him many proud moments. With a career record at Michigan of 122-40, he was a National Champion and five time Big 10 champ. He led the Wolverines to 13 consecutive bowl games, and four Rose Bowl appearances.

In this BCS era, his Michigan teams went 6-1 against the mighty SEC and he is only the third Michigan coach to defeat rival Ohio State in his first three seasons. But, other figures loomed greater, large enough to force a resignation.

Carr went just 6-7 in the postseason, including 1-3 in the Rose Bowl. And though he had early success against the biggest rival, he finished just 6-7 against the Buckeyes, including four consecutive losses to end his Michigan tenure. The voices of change were singing, and the athletic department chimed an answer.

That “answer” now faces Ohio State this Saturday for the first time. Rich Rodriguez, the West Virginia success story, can make everyone forget the worst season in Michigan’s history, by pulling a major upset over their hated rivals. Beat the Buckeyes and the project is welcomed with open arms.

The most losses in the programs' history would suddenly be acceptable in Rod’s first year. Not making a postseason appearance becomes irrelevant in comparison to the appearance of a victory on this weekend’s scoreboard. Accomplish with this team what Lloyd Carr couldn’t in the past four years, and you are the new hometown hero. This is the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, where a struggling 3-8 program can feel like a champion without receiving a crown. It’s one final opportunity to glorify an entire season.

And oddly enough, if Saturday’s victory belongs to the Blue, there will be a sudden shift in pressure. The Rodriguez hiring will be justified, and Jim Tressel’s leadership becomes more questionable. Tressel’s Buckeyes have a National Title, bowl appearances, and a string of victories over their rival.

But…so what? Didn’t Lloyd Carr begin that way? A lesson learned, and a good indication that you may be pushing closer to the exit, are voices flowing with repetition, claiming you can no longer win the big games.