I find a lot of the blabbering by Michigan fans about the past to be odd. They still seem to believe Bo Schembechler is the Wolverines' head coach, and Woody Hayes remains at Ohio State.
In truth, Ohio State, its loss to Wisconsin last week aside, has dominated the Big Ten in recent years, while Michigan is in danger of falling off college football's relevance map.
When Michigan plays Ohio State in November, the stakes don't figure to be high for Michigan, other than perhaps head coach Rich Rodriguez will be coaching for his job.
The game won't be nearly as big as the Wolverines' game Oct. 9 against Michigan State. That was, in reality, the crossroad game for Michigan. The Wolverines BIG GAME. And it took the wrong direction for the third year in a row.
Notre Dame isn't any good anymore, either. In fact, Michigan State has basically manhandled the Irish for more than a decade. Michigan's wins over ND the past two seasons have been rendered meaningless. Navy and UConn beat Notre Dame now.
The new standard for the Wolverines is Michigan State. It's all they hear about these days. The Curse of Mike Hart. How Michigan State has crashed the Top 10. How Michigan State painted Detroit green at the Final Four in 2009, and reaches the Final Four an average of every other year for a dozen years under Tom Izzo.
Ohio State? To the Buckeyes, Michigan is just a little blip on the screen. At least MSU cares when it beats Michigan. At this rate, Ohio State might not want to protect it "rivalry" status with Michigan in the future.
The Wolverines, 4-15 in the Big Ten since 2008, might be a more fitting opponent for homecoming.
Could be the case for the Spartans, too.

Random Thoughts

- I know the Rams have played pretty well at home, but I'm shocked they have three victories based on the team I saw play against the Lions at Ford Field. They just don't have that much talent. I predict that by the end of the season, the Lions will have more wins than the Rams.

- Ohio State was due for a fall. Wisconsin is a much better team at home traditionally than on the road. Madison is a very difficult place to play. Wouldn't surprise me if the Buckeyes still manage to find their way into the BCS title game.

- Scouts loved the talent of former Tiger Cody Ross, but didn't like his lack of size and, oddly, that is he is left-handed thrower, but a right-handed hitter. Ever notice you don't see that often? It's really rare. And it made scouts skeptical about Ross. Obviously, he's proved them wrong. There was some question at the time he was drafted, too, whether it would be as a pitcher or outfielder. His arm is that good.