Urban Meyer sends verbal jab as stark reminder of 'A' side in Ohio State-Michigan rivalry
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Urban Meyer sends verbal jab as stark reminder of 'A' side in Ohio State-Michigan rivalry originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Even though the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry is renewed once a year, it's a 365-day ordeal for anyone involved from both teams (fans, alumni, players, etc.)
That's at least how former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer views it, at least. After finishing his tenure with the Buckeyes undefeated at 7-0 in seven appearances, Meyer remains adamant that the entire season hinged on whether his team beat the Wolverines.
Meyer told "The Script" podcast just how much of the season was dedicated to that one fall Saturday in November, regardless of how every season played out. It's a narrative he still carries with him today.
"I made that whole facility all about that game," Meyer said. "We never went more than a week without either talking about the game or practicing for the game. I would have Tim Hinton, one of our assistant coaches… that's all he would do. He'd watch film. We'd be working on this game and I'd walk in and spend some time with him watching [Michigan]. I'm talking about September or even spring practice."
For the majority of college football programs, getting ready for the season really kicks into gear come spring. For the Buckeyes, though, it was multiple steps ahead and then some. And for Meyer, it was especially personal.
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“There's no — name another person who respects that school more than I do," Meyer said. "And I'm including probably some people who have gone there. That's how much I respect that school.
That's why we work so hard to beat them. I know their history. I was friends with Bo Schembechler. I was friends with Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller. I know those great players."
So, with the deep-rooted history, Meyer said the Wolverines' disconnect outside of football, with numerous off-field issues, has put a stain on the rivalry that few can understand, he said.
"When someone says they have great players, I snap all over people and say, 'What are you talking about? And so the respect I have for that school academically, the school as a football program," Meyer said. I'll tell you, that's taken a little bit of a hit, though. What's gone on the last four or five years?”
With Kyle Whittingham succeeding Sherrone Moore as coach, though, Meyer said the program's mystique could return as soon as this fall.
"They hired the right guy to get them back. He's 66 years old, but he's in a 50-year-old body and mind. And then after we talked for about 20 minutes, my comment was, "That's a perfect fit. I get it.”
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This November, Meyer will look on, knowing that his friend will be a critical part of the rivalry's growing history and has the potential to maintain his importance in Ann Arbor for years to come.
In a few short months, we'll find out what the next chapter brings.
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