Notre Dame Rivalry vs. OSU Rivalry
I know that the OSU game is the most important game every in our schedule, but I wanted to get your opinion on this. I think this year the ND game will have more meaning than the OSU game. It was just a thought that i had and wanted to know what you guys think.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:20 PM ^
I think this is a question that can only be answered at the end of the season.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:20 PM ^
There is never a game more important than the O$U game!
September 8th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^
Except for whichever game is next
September 8th, 2009 at 1:17 PM ^
but it is always in the back of your mind. See article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?page=rivalryweek/ohiostatemich…
Now, if $weaterve$t thinks that about us, shouldn't we think the same way? "Ohio $tate versus Michigan trumps everything."
September 8th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
Agreed, if you ever watch any of the old Michigan games on the Big Ten channel its always made clear the OSU is a must win game no matter what. Often its been a game that determines the winner of the Big Ten.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:23 PM ^
I disagree. I do think this ND game is HUGE could be a big statement game for Michigan.... but we have lost to Ohio St. 5 years in a row. Its brutal right now and as much I hope pryor does not improve I think its pretty safe to say he will, so a win at the big house this year would be huge bigger than Notre Dame in my opion.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:26 PM ^
but, I despise Notre Dame more than OSU. I generally don't care what OSU does outside of the UM game, but I root for anybody playing against ND. When MSU blew that game in E.L. against Quinn a few years ago I was actually as mad as my MSU fan brother. So I don't think it has more meaning, I just hate them more.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
The rivalries (and Michigan's other rivalries) are different.
Ohio State I hate, I hope a meteor lands in Columbus and turns the horseshoe into a pile of flaming rubble. If it can be during the USC game, that's what we call a "twofer". However, as much as I hate them you have to admit that they're always going to be a tough opponent, so there's some respect there too.
Notre Dame I've thought as more of a "classy" rivalry between two storied programs. There's just not as much hate there, although that might change if Fat Charlie sticks around for a few more seasons.
Michigan State and Minnesota are "oh god I hope we don't lose to this inferior team because then we won't hear the end of it until next year" type rivalries. That's the worst kind of rivalry - when we lose, it's terrible, but when we win, all we did was take care of business.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:43 PM ^
I'm the opposite. I have much more distaste for anything ND related than I do OSU.
I still hate the Bucks and would rather beat OSU than ND, and it is the bigger game.
Hating on the Irish is one of the few things that can bring UM and OSU fans together, although briefly.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:32 PM ^
All of the Michigan rivalries outside pale in comparison to OSU. ND and MSU (and to a lesser extent PSU) are great rivalries, but lack the significance of The Game.
ND has the history and tradition of the two programs, and it used to (and hopefully will soon again) pair teams regularly ranked in the Top 10. MSU is in-state and in-conference, but lacks the national cache and significance. OSU has the tradition of the ND game, while even greater conference significance than the MSU game.
Its not really close.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
I can't stand either of them but in the long run this game will be a learning experience for the two Freshman QB's. It won't mean a thing in the Big Ten race. That said there's no reason Tate and Denard can't learn a lot while beating ND 38-10. The OSWho game will always be bigger because there is more at stake..but I certainly see your point for this year.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:37 PM ^
From 1987 through 1994 the ND was way more important than the OSU game.
Very few of those OSU games during that stretch could tip the Big 10 scales to one or the other and the UM/ND games were all matchups with both in the top 10, if not higher.
But, they are both bitter, bitter rivals. Both are MUST WIN games.
The 2004 Big 10 Champion team is a little bittersweet knowing they got worked over by ND and OSU to book end the season.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:39 PM ^
Not beating Ohio State is like tailgating and forgetting to bring food, beer, and a car. Not beating Notre Dame is like forgetting to bring a football or frisbee.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:41 PM ^
[TEAM REDACTED] is our biggest rival, or did you guys not get that memo? They own this state!
[/sarcasm]
September 8th, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^
Beating OSU is more important, and it is a better rivalry, but I at least respect OSU. I have nothing but disgust for ND.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^
I will always see OSU as our biggest rival on the football field, then ND, then PSU, then MSU.
You may despise ND, but their fan and alumni base has more in common with UofM than UofM does with OSU. And ND is generally more highly rated academically than OSU, although this has apparently been changing in the last few years.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:20 PM ^
The cheeseball answer right now is Notre Dame BECAUSE THEY'RE NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE BROTHER, but I would contend that the Irish do indeed play a more telling role in defining Michigan's 2009 season, if only for their placement within the schedule.
I know many of you would prefer Michigan go 1-11 if that one win were against Ohio State, but this is an important year to gauge Michigan's improvement under Rich Rodriguez. A victory over Notre Dame puts us at 2-0, potentially squeezing us into the lower fifth of the polls. From there, Michigan has a realistic chance to open the season 5-0 heading into the Iowa game or even 7-0 heading into the Penn State game. If Michigan enters the Ohio State game with a tremendous record, I would contend the season could already be deemed a successful one.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:23 PM ^
I couldn't possibly pick between the ND rivalry and the OSU rivalry. I love having both as rivals. ND game is always the pace setter for M. And OSU is the exclamation point to the season. Both are important.
I suppose ND more so for morale and confidence value, and the fact that they are the two winningest programs. OSU because they are Big Ten and because . . . well, they're OSU.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:23 PM ^
Last week the discussion was whether WMU was the most important game of the year. This week the focus turns to ND. IME, no single game is ever more important than the OSU v UM game but in terms of the reprecussions for the season this weeks game in very important.
It will set the tone for the season and a win here would really have the critics scratching their heads. Most of the college football world would consider it a big upset and it would have this young team really excited and convinced they belong again.
This year more than ever it seems that "the most important game of the season" is always going to be the upcoming game. That should culminate in "the game" being our most important game of the season as it usually is.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
Growing up in many different places in the US and Canada as well as 3 years in Africa I might have a different perspective. I was born in Detroit and have always been an M fan. My fanship really developed in the late 80's as I began to follow sports in general (I am 30 years old right now).
During the late 80's as I began to follow M closely, the rivalry with ND was the most important. Bo vs. Lou Holtz. Rocket. Desmond! Remy! Classic games. The whole season depended on the outcome of that game. I think because the game is early in the year that if both teams are good and history has usually meant that both are, that this game is more important for the outcome of the whole season. Many Ohio State games have been played for "pride." ND game is for hope, momentum, a chance at everything still available.
Nothing compares though to the oSU game when championships are on the line. When the ND game is played it almost always gleams with hope.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:58 PM ^
but I think the OSU rivalry is bigger and more important. Fail at the beginning of the season, you can overcome that, lose the final game of the season and there is no redemption, especially when that game often determines the conference championship. Besides, if we continue to be on time to 'Shock the world', you best bet that will be the biggest game!
GO BLUE!!!
September 8th, 2009 at 2:05 PM ^
I think Notre Dame is the more important game this year, because odds are we're not going to be competitive in the Ohio State game this year, while a win over Notre Dame will propel us to a likely 4-0, top 20 ranking going into East Lansing.
But anyone arguing they hate Notre Dame more than Ohio State definitely has something a little off. I don't know what it is, maybe they're not from the region and have never actually lived in the midwest? Maybe they grew up in South Bend? We never played Notre Dame consistently until this decade. The deal was set up by Bo and Ara because they were close friends. Neither team considers it to be their biggest rivalry, lately Navy and MSU might have superseded it.
I prefer to look at our rogues gallery this way: If State is little brother, and Ohio State is your archenemy, Notre Dame is that kid in class who we're constantly competing with but otherwise not concerned about.
September 8th, 2009 at 4:28 PM ^
I think a lot of us grew up during the Cooper years. At that time I must admit I "hated" ND more than OSU or MSU. But yeah, how a UM fan could hate any team more than OSU these days is beyond me.