NYT on Michigan-Ohio State

This is beautiful. Michigan is the Yankees and osu is the Red Sox.  They have the recent history, but we have the all-time history. They constantly compare themselves to us, trying to reach our standards. Winning this one would be a wonderful return to the historical norm. 

Ironic that Putin would post an article from the NYT...

“It is likely that we are witnessing not Michigan’s rejuvenation, but rather the latest stage of the elegantly managed decline of a great empire. Which, to be honest, seems rather in tune with the times.”  

This piece sucks. 

Don’t like the Yankees/Red Sox analogy at all. Hardly fits. 

I also don’t see this anymore as a referendum on Harbaugh. We’ve got our guy. I felt that way even throughout last season. 

And this - “Almost everything Ohio State does — academically, athletically, or otherwise — they compare to Michigan,” he said. “Michigan almost never does that.”

For sure... we are in a league of our own. Winninest program ever. Go Blue!

Interesting read. Quoting Ramzy of 11w no less: "The story is that Ohio State’s aspiration is to be Michigan."

The historic vs the modern angle is one reason why I just created a diary post (50 Years of The Game), to see how one-sided the rivalry has been as of late. Even with the current OSU dominance, the last 50 years have been surprisingly even.

'Steady' it? We want to set fire to it and hope it burns down their whole stankin' city and takes their lyin'-azz coach with it. Steady it? I don't think so! We want to get them back to punching players and breaking down markers!

Besides, the only chip Ohio has on its shoulder is the lower-class resentment of a country cousin for a beautiful, popular, and famous city cousin. Yoohoo! In the overalls! We're over here and we're coming for you!

Fan base wise the Yankees and OSU are damn near identical.  Those idiots in the Bronx want to fire Boone after a 100 win season and finishing second in the division...just ignoring the fact that Boston was a historically good team this past year.  But hey, FIRE BOONE!

The writer, or the editor, should have cut out the last 3 paragraphs and ended with a simple non-conclusive sentence, such as, "time will tell" after the question mark.  

It was also silly to give the guy from 11 warriors equal billing with John U. Bacon.  

We could reach their standards just for once and i would be pretty happy 

The New York Times editorial department has never let facts get in the way of their opinion. If this was being graded in high school it would get a C+, an A for research and an F for logic. 

"we may not be witnessing Michigans rejuvenation but their elegantly managed continuation into decline"  - I got news for ya bud Michigan aint going anywhere. Yes College footballs landscape is tougher today but Michigan is back to being a power right now, deal with it. And the author is completely incorrect with his assertion that its not recruiting but "management" that is key. Recruiting does matter, alot.  Look at the recent champions, all of them are in the top 10 if not top 5 in recruiting, in fact recruiting is probably the number one factor in modern college football. Hey, Western Michigan can have Donald Trump as the manager and they aint winning a national title 

nm

To hell with the Yankees.  And Boston.  And Ohio State.  And Notre Dame.

Did not enjoy the last sentence but Michigan will, for the foreseeable future, have an uphill battle when it comes to recruiting.  Michigan needs to recruit virtually nationally to capture enough talent to compete, while there is probably enough talent/ population in Ohio for Ohio.  Luckily, the Michigan alumni base and brand are strong in practically every inch of this country so it's doable, though it requires greater resources and effort.

Fuck Ohio. They dont get to play the underdogs. They've won 13 of 14. They fall ass backward into 10-11 win seasons. That were the default Big 10 champion for years. They don't get to play underdogs.

Decent article but M is not the Yankees.  Unless you're from NY you hate the Yankees.  I know I always have.  That isn't the case with M.  Guess they had to draw some kind of comparison.  Think they did nail what fuels tOSU's animus though.  They cannot and never will have the respect that M has.  

Can assure all readers that - having moved from M 30 years ago - and landed in SoCal, there are many people from B1G country who have become friends and acquaintances.  Beating Michigan is the prized desire of every B1G team.  Iowa, Illinois, Minny, Wisc you name it.  They all want to beat OSU don't get me wrong - but M is the biggie on every schedule.  We get every teams haymaker.  Every year.  Never changes.  Never will.  

Traveled all around the country taking in many games at many a sports bar in some far flung places.  There are M fans everywhere.  OSU fans too.  M is and will always be the shining block M at the top of the hill.  tOSU is behind it jumping up and down waving its arms shouting - "Hey look at me!!  I'm here too!"  But no one really notices and it makes them crazed.  

Great read minus the ending. And, regarding the Gold Pants, perhaps Michigan football players should receive platinum pants, lapel pins, or something for wins against Ohio State.

Seemed kind of lazy to me. A lot of rehashing of games but no REAL insight into the game despite trying to see it at a higher level. Bo and Woody started it and it took on a life of its own from there. All the other stuff...blah blah blah. 

Re the "elegant decline," Michigan and Ohio State are probably best situated to the direction college football is headed. Jim Harbaugh excelled in the NFL--towards which the author states the college game is bending. Urban Meyer has defined the last fifteen years of college football. Both coaches excel in recruiting and retaining coaching talent, which has become critical to being an elite team. 

It also suffers from a serious case of recency bias. There are ebbs and flows in all rivalries. 

Screw that guy