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The Greatest Rivalry in Sports?
They talk a lot about the Michigan-Ohio State game as if it has been like this forever. It has not been. It just seems like that. And in a way, 1969 was forever ago. It was, after all, 37 years back. They did have the snow bowl game in 1950. They did have a game during which Tom Harmon accomplished incredible feats. But really, the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry did not begin in earnest until 1969 when Bo Schembechler's first Wolverines squad upset perhaps Woody Hayes' greatest team. Since then, every year, like clockwork, the game has meant a lot. There are no lulls in its intensity. That is what separates it from other rivalries in sports. There have been many years - more often than not actually - when the Red Sox were not that good and the Yankees-Red Sox meant little. Does anybody really care about the Redskins-Cowboys or Packers-Bears rivalries right now? Love the Canadiens and Leafs. But neither one of those teams is that good anymore. Celtics-Lakers? What does that mean about now. Same with college football and the end-of-season games. The one that endures is Michigan-Ohio State. And this season, it only gets more intense with the teams being 1 and 2 in the rankings. I do think it is the greatest rivalry in team sports. At least right now it is. And I also think Saturday's game will live up to its hype.
Random thoughts
- The National League was awful this season. A 16-game winner, Brandon Webb, as the Cy Young winner? No wonder an 83-win team like the Cardinals got through the playoffs. Makes you wonder about missed opportunities for the Tigers, who played particularly poorly during the World Series.
- Guess they messed up a video presentation for Pat Tillman in Arizona last Sunday. It is so unjust and Tillman's intentions were so noble. And everything about his ultimate sacrifice has been so blundered - from the military killing him with "friendly fire" to a coverup to a botched tribute - that it's an utter shame.
- A lot of people are saying Ohio State's defense is better than it was last year despite losing half of the NFL Draft. I do not believe that. I think it is more a case of the Big Ten overall not being as strong. Also, Ohio State played Texas early in the season before Longhorn QB Colt McCoy got his feet underneath him.
Random thoughts
- The National League was awful this season. A 16-game winner, Brandon Webb, as the Cy Young winner? No wonder an 83-win team like the Cardinals got through the playoffs. Makes you wonder about missed opportunities for the Tigers, who played particularly poorly during the World Series.
- Guess they messed up a video presentation for Pat Tillman in Arizona last Sunday. It is so unjust and Tillman's intentions were so noble. And everything about his ultimate sacrifice has been so blundered - from the military killing him with "friendly fire" to a coverup to a botched tribute - that it's an utter shame.
- A lot of people are saying Ohio State's defense is better than it was last year despite losing half of the NFL Draft. I do not believe that. I think it is more a case of the Big Ten overall not being as strong. Also, Ohio State played Texas early in the season before Longhorn QB Colt McCoy got his feet underneath him.
posted by Pat Caputo at
10:13 AM
12 Comments:
Dude not because I am a homer. Listen to the logic man. Tell me if I am a F*&king idiot I can handle it if what I am saying isn't true. But lets face it. Henne hasn't been Joe Montana and lit it up this season. He has played good/smart foortball. In the fact that he didn't do anything to hurt the team. He just managed the game. I think there are 3 key factors. #1 - Henne! If he just manages the game. Don't force anything. Play the short game like they did in 97. Run the ball with Mike Hart keep OSU guessing. #2 - Breaston/Receivers! I say this I think if Breaston was to ever solidify himself as even being thought off in Michigan history as a good player and not a bust this would be it. His speed is crucial. He has it and he can out run any member of that OSU D. Can he do it with the ball in his hands? There is no question about the other two kids Mario and Arrington. His speed can be huge becasue this OSU D is good, but no where near the speed of last years. #3 - The Pass Rush!!! Get in Troy Smith's face. Make it hard for him to get any arm in the ball to go deep. Keep the receivers in front of the DB's. Because those guys have loads of speed and they can easily brun Michigan with big plays. Personally I think this is either going to be Mich- 20 & OSU - 17 or OSU 34 - Mich 13 type game. But in mind hinders on those three key factors.
Ugh you have to keep reliving the Tigers last year. Speaking of which I read about Adam Larouch from atlanta. Personally with guys like that. I think you need to give him a few years before making jurastic move. Personally I prefer them resign Casey and Keep Bonderman. Yeah he was inconsistent, but when he was on he is as dominate as any pitcher in the league. He is 24. IF he is inconsistent again this year I think you can get just as much in value next year as you would this year. ONe thing I liked about the sheffield trade is that you can move guys up. I kind of liked MOnroe in the #2 whole. I think a lineup of Polanco, Guillen, Casey, Sheffield, Ordonez, Monroe, Granderson, Rodriguez, Inge. Is pretty darn good. With a Catalanatto, Shelton, Wilson, Infante, Cleyvlen (I like this kid think he could be good) coming off the bench. Not bad.
I agree about the Tillman thing. You know what if you are going to honor a hero do it with class and don't mess it up.
Mr. C. Rivalries: You mentioned Mtl & Tor. Back around 1967 we had to go to Chatham Ont. to see these 2 teams in the playoffs. for some reason we were blacked out here. It was so long ago i think the score ended up 2 - 0 Tor. It was probably one of the best playoff games in memory. Unless i am mistaken Dave Keon scored both goals. It would be great to see the tape of that game. It may be that To beat the Habs in Mtl that my memory says best game. Did you ever see Tim Horton play before he was traded to Buffalo? He had the ability to skate out of a scramble in the corner wth the puck better than most. A lot of defencemen without the talent he had would shoot it along the boards and the opposition somtimes would get a good point shot. I am stealing this from a reporter who said the game is so fast now that one cannot see a play developing like we once did. I have to agree with him, he is probably as old as Vinny!
Mr. C. Rivalries: You mentioned Mtl & Tor. Back around 1967 we had to go to Chatham Ont. to see these 2 teams in the playoffs. for some reason we were blacked out here. It was so long ago i think the score ended up 2 - 0 Tor. It was probably one of the best playoff games in memory. Unless i am mistaken Dave Keon scored both goals. It would be great to see the tape of that game. It may be that To beat the Habs in Mtl that my memory says best game. Did you ever see Tim Horton play before he was traded to Buffalo? He had the ability to skate out of a scramble in the corner wth the puck better than most. A lot of defencemen without the talent he had would shoot it along the boards and the opposition somtimes would get a good point shot. I am stealing this from a reporter who said the game is so fast now that one cannot see a play developing like we once did. I have to agree with him, he is probably as old as Vinny!
Vinny,
I loved the old NHL rivalries. Montreal-Toronto in the 1960s was a classic. So was the Red Wings and Canadiens during the 50s. Boston and Montreal in the 1970s.
Caputo
Maddog52,
I like Michigan's chances in this game. I wouldn't be surprised if Henne outplays Troy Smith.
Caputo
Mr. Book,
I wanted to write you how much I enjoy listening to you on the X. I especially enjoyed evenings this past summer hearing your talk shows after Tiger games. I throughly was delighted when you went "wall-to-wall" on baseball during rainouts or off nights.
One thing I that causes me to tune out, is Lions babble. Nothing is a greater waste of time and energy than devouting time to "dem bums". Heck, since they moved back downtown, they can't even be referred to as the Pontiac Pussycats.
As a hockey and football fan, I thought I would share a dilemma I have no out on this Saturday afternoon. My son skates in a hockey game at 6 p.m. Saturday evening. Naturally, we have to be at the rink a half hour early to get him dressed for his game. The Game of my lifetime, and probably all-time, and I'll be sitting on a hard bench in a cold arena. Once again, Bo was right, toe should meet leather at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoons.
Drew Winkle
Drew Winkle,
I appreciate the kind words. The UM-OSU game is huge, but it's not as big as your family. And the beauty of it, is that we have TiVo now. It is a wonderful thing. You feelings are understandable, but a lot of people still have passion about the Lions, if for no other reason than they are the local NFL team. That is why I write and talk about them so much.
Caputo
I Rule,
Like I wrote to blogger Vinny, I love the old hockey rivalries. And I admit I love the old stories about the Original Six days. They used to play each other 15 times a year. That's 15 times of Howe vs. Richard. Those teams had to develop a dislike for one and other that was incredible considering the physical nature of hockey.
Caputo
thinkingman,
No problem. Comment on what you want on this blog. That's one of the reasons it is here for you. It's funny the perception people have about me and my thoughts on the trade. I don't "Hate it" I just understand some things about it that were off course and seemed rash that I was surprised about. And I think it is a fascinating deal, so I talk about it a lot. There is an upside to it that's obvious. Gary Sheffield has always been a big-time hitter. If he continues to be, that will obviously help the Tigers.
Caputo
Mudhenfan,
I'm with you on the pitch count thing. It is ridiculous. Pitchers hurt their arms now more than ever. Obviously the pitch count thing isn't working.
Caputo
Not a big surprise. The Tigers got their guy. I think it is a good key signing. The Tigers lineup appears to be set now. THe leadoff spot still concerns me as Ireally don't think granderson is that guy. I the lineup will consist of Polanco, Guillen, Casey, Sheffield, Ordonez, Monroe, Granderson, Rodriguez, Inge. As I really don't see them making any other bold moves this off season. Ohter then a reliever to replace walker.
Pat,
I'm happy to say that after running into a few friends Thursday night, I am now right for the U-M/OSU game! (well, and a certain sports enthuiast alleged to not know shinola!) I had been thinking that Tressel was really in Carr's head, and that perhaps he'd blow it by trying to over-coach in this one. But no... it is the players who will decide this one, and I believe Chad Henne will outplay Troy Smith, with plenty of help from Hart, Manningham, Arrington, Breston on special teams, and the trump card... the Wolverines DEFENSE! I sense a composed Michigan team to shock the nation, with something like a 24-16 upset of the highly tauted Buckeyes. This will be one for LLoyd and it will be one for Bo, just because.
Stay off the road, and spend the night; the traffic tickets will be reeling after this one.
PAT TILLMAN...
There isn't another athlete I'll ever admire more than him. What a great American and an example for all of us.
TIGERS...
I'm elated with the signing of Sean Casey; for less than what I figured it would take. He must really want to be a part of this. It's all over for now, but I would have traded Bonderman for Texiera; only because of their pitching depth, and that's what it would have taken to land our first premier first baseman since Norm Cash. He might have been easier to lock up for 7-10 years than Bondo. Dombrowski needs to now address filing some holes in the farm system now, with the leftover players. There are players who will never get a chance, so it's time to work on the future infield.
I'm with you about Brandon Inge. I think he'll only get better as the Tiger's regular third baseman. There's too much to say about him, so that will have to wait until later. I'd still like to see them add Frank Catalanotto for versality, if they don't have to spend an arm and a leg. It would appear that Aubrey Huff is now out of the question. Why would he accept a utlity role? Speaking of utility... Santiago or Infante? Who do you trade? Tough one there.
BRANDON WEBB WHO???
I agree with those who say it should have gone to Trevor Hoffman instead.
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