I'm a senior at Ohio State, majoring in finance and/or journalism, depending on which week you ask me. I'm originally from the New York area, thus explaining my unhealthy obsession with the Mets, Giants, and Rangers. If a team can get paid a lot of money to play in NY and lose, chances are I'm a big fan of theirs.
    I don't know anything more than most of you about OSU and Michigan. I was not really "born" into this rivalry, and have only really been a big OSU fan since around 1993. Being in Columbus for THE Game during the 1996 and 1998 seasons and road-tripping up to Ann Arbor in 1997 and 1999 has really gotten me interested in the history involved, and since there was nothing substantial out there on the Net, I decided to make a page myself.
    Most people that have e-mailed me have told me at least one thing I didn't know (Bo WASN'T the most evil man ever? Really?), and almost all have been very helpful. I feel like, at least for me, making this page has turned this rivalry from a "hate" thing to a "mutual respect" thing.
    Don't get me wrong-- I'd still love to see the Bucks kill UM in Columbus next fall, but I've found out that Michigan fans are generally just as good (or bad) as OSU fans. Michigan and Ohio State players and coaches have the same weaknesses. Michigan and Ohio State fans have the same jokes about each other, with different schools plugged in different places. Both schools have their share of asshole fans, but have a great core of alumni and students who cheer their team, but respect the opponents too.
    Really, as much as most people say they'd LOVE to see the other school go 0-11, the rivalry would not be the same if one team was really down. To paraphrase Andy Geiger (OSU's Athletic Director) "Do I hate Michigan? Heck, no. A great Michigan program helps make a strong Ohio State program, and vice versa." Over the course of making this page, I've gone from a "wouldn't a matchup between 10-0 OSU and 0-10 UM be great!" to a "wouldn't a matchup between 10-0 OSU and 10-0 UM be great!" person. With that, I feel like I've gained a greater appreciation for what this game means to both sides.
GO BUCKS!
GO BLUE! (until the 3rd Saturday in November, anyhow)