Ohio State—The Team From Up North...Greatest Rivalry In Sports?

The greatest rivalry in all of sports will be happening this weekend. But does anyone care?

It does not seem like it. Maybe it's because the Rich Rodriguez led Wolverines has lost the game, a school record, eight games (more than likely will get their 9th tomorrow).

Ohio State was at the beginning of the season, some people's pick to win the BCS National Championship (they still could if they used my playoff system). These two things are adding up for the making of an old fashioned stomping.

Ohio State has won the past four meeting against the team from up north and are 6-1 under the direction of Tressel. They are a 21 point favorite at home tomorrow.

Sure, the fact that the team from up north is so terrible this year they take away from the national exposure the game will get. But it's still Ohio State—team from up north. It doesn't get any better than this rivalry.

New York and Boston fans will tell you it's the Yankees—Red Sox. And fans from Alabama will tell you its Alabama—Auburn. But those and other good rivalries are so regional. The following of the Buckeyes is truly national if not global.

Why is it that they are always playing in BCS games? (Sure, it's because they're good), but the bowls know how much of a following they bring. They will sell out any stadium they play at. The team from up north has a huge national following as well. People all over the country are fans of both teams. 

This rivalry spans especially over the Midwest. Everywhere I go around Chicago, someone is fan of either. There is not a rivalry out there that spans as the Ohio State—team from up north rivalry does. So, is this year "tainted" because of the lack luster match-up? No, there is plenty to be looked at in this game.

This is the best situation for Pryor to begin his career against the team from up north. Not too much pressure, but will still get to feel what it's like to be in this atmosphere.

This could be Bennie Wells' final home game. Who knows if he will come back next season or not? A win coupled with a Penn State loss gives the Buckeyes their fourth straight Big Ten Title and a trip to most likely the Rose Bowl and a possible rematch with USC.

A win and a Penn State win, sends Penn State to the Rose Bowl and Ohio State will more than likely get sent to the Fiesta Bowl (which they are pretty good in, winning the National Championship, beating K-State and Notre Dame there, only losing to Florida in 2007).

The game may have lost its glitz and glam for this year, but it's still the best rivalry in sports, bar none. As a Buckeyes fan, it doesn't matter how bad the team from up north is, beating them is one of the best days of each year. GO BUCKS!