This is typically what Michigan football fans feel every year when the Wolverines clash with rival Ohio State. But, heading into Saturday’s match-up in Ann Arbor, there is an extra element — anger.
On top of the usual motivation and excitement, Wolverine partisans are between frustration and rage heading into the Nov. 25 game, particularly about the ongoing sign-stealing allegations and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s subsequent suspension.
For fans, such as Michigan native Joseph Anker, “The Game” is a chance to shut up Buckeye fans who have chirped about the scandal for weeks.
“I’m so angry,” said Anker said. “This isn’t even about the (Big Ten) title or (College Football Playoff) anymore. I just want their fans to feel the hopeless sadness that they’ve earned with their behavior over the past few weeks.”
Saturday’s clash is the last of a three-game suspension for Harbaugh, who was slapped with punishment from the Big Ten for an alleged advanced scouting scheme currently under NCAA investigation. Harbaugh was not formally linked to any violations, but Michigan accepted the suspension after former linebackers coach Chris Partridge reportedly tried to interfere with the NCAA’s ongoing investigatio
Heading into the game without Harbaugh has fans like Anker feeling “nervous rage.” Many others, such as Dan Rodenwald, a Wolverine fan who’s based outside Columbus, Ohio, also suspect Ohioans have blown the sign-stealing story out of proportion.
“I believe Ohio has been the one pushing this narrative, because without Michigan, Ohio has nothing to live for,” he said. “From the chants and songs to (crossing) out the letter M, and they couldn’t accept the fact Michigan had turned the corner and slayed the dragon.”
Even university leaders have turned their criticism toward Ohio.
University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker referenced allegations that someone affiliated with Ohio State started the sign-stealing scandal by hiring a private investigator to look into Michigan.
“Do they hire PIs because they can’t beat you, whine to the commissioner to enact extraordinary measures without precedent,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Acker also used the hashtag “thirdbase,” a Michigan joke that Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day was “born on third base” by inheriting a dominant program rather than building it himself. Meanwhile, current Regent Chair Sarah Hubbard simply wrote about Michigan’s chances on Saturday — “Excited!”
Alum Shrav Gummadi is angry the university accepted Harbaugh’s suspension, while also nervous that interim head coach Sherrone Moore has too many responsibilities. Moore is the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, as well.
“The fact that we could not negotiate having (Harbaugh) on the sidelines at least for the game is baffling,” Gummadi said. “The O-line suffers without Sherrone talking them through things. (Quarterback J.J. McCarthy) suffers without (Harbaugh) on the sideline.”
Aside from the anger, a number of fans are looking to enjoy the typically intense rivalry.
Former Wolverines kicker Brandon Kornblue said that “outside circumstances rarely make an impact,” so he’s most excited about bringing his family up from Florida.
“I’ve been at every home UM-OSU game since ‘85,” he said. “The unique part is that this will be the very first Michigan game for our 6-year-old. Can’t wait!”
The last few weeks have been “an emotional rollercoaster,” said alum Jeff Pfeifer, but he’s most looking forward to a competitive game.
“It’s obvious that both are high caliber teams, and I’m just looking forward to UM playing hard-nosed Big Ten football and prevailing over OSU,” he said. “Go Blue!”
Scott Davis, a Wolverine based in Virginia, is stoked to take his wife to Michigan Stadium for the first time. He still remembers the Wolverines two decades of mostly losses to the Buckeyes prior to 2021.
Success feels fragile still, and even more so with all of the disruptions this season,” Davis said.
Michigan natives are also Detroit Lions fans, who got a rivalry appetizer when former Wolverine defensive end Aidan Hutchinson sacked former Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields to clinch a win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Nov. 19. For Zack Lybeck of Farmington Hills, that was a harbinger of good things to come.
“I’m confident that Hutch’s safety on Sunday will foreshadow a third straight Michigan victory against our rival down south,” he said.
Former Detroit Free Press sportswriter Bill Roose said Saturday’s game has so many storylines to add to the intrigue. The sign-stealing, Day possibly losing a third straight game to his rivals, Harbaugh’s future and more make this as high stakes a rivalry as its been, he said.
“Honestly, I’m so pumped for Saturday’s kick off that I’m looking past Thursday’s turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie food coma,” he said.
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