Rivalry weekend is finally here! Ryan Day and his squad are going to face their biggest rivals, Michigan. It is THE biggest matchup for Day, not just because they are still in the race to win the national champion title but because of the rivalry between both football programs since 1897. And the stakes are even higher, particularly for Day, who is under pressure to end a three-year losing streak against the Wolverines. Do they have the luxury to not play the game?

Well, the entire world of football knows the relationship between Texas and Aggies. They had a happy ending in 2011 and did not face each other after that until and unless SEC chipped in. But is that the case for Michigan and Ohio State? Do you remember what exactly happened in 2020?

So, the matchup was canceled between Buckeyes and Wolverines due to the  COVID pandemic and Wolverines did not travel for the game. The game holds a lot of significance because the Buckeyes were 5-0 entering the matchup while Michigan was 2-4. Now RJ Young has shed light on the double standards of the college football rivalries.

On November 30, just before the game, the analyst for FOX Sports highlighted the luxury Texas and Aggies had for so many years and said, “When Michigan pulled out of the game in 2020, everybody’s feelings were hurt, right? Because this game has to be played. It has to be A&M Texas. No, we don’t. If we never played him again, it would make us fine. It would be fine. We both didn’t. The program said that we hate them that much. Same dude, Oklahoma State, probably pretty excited that OU is not on their schedule this year as they have gone winless. In big twelve competition for the first time ever and winless in conference play for the first time since 1994.” 

He further reflected on the high stakes for Day and how people might react if he loses. “Let Ryan Day lose this game. He loses this game, all of y’all. Going to be out there going, why is he still the head coach?” RJ added, “Yo, Russ, you should have fired him before he got a football field to lose this game to. Michigan because we gave him all this money. Go get these players. We gave him all this money. Go get his coach staff. And we are tired of watching that team in Ann Arbor come down. Here we go up there just to get our b–ty beat.” 

Why is the 2020 “The Game” so important? ESPN named the matchup the greatest sports rivalry in North America, and it is also featured in Rivals! Not just that, Encyclopædia Britannica, which is the longest-running encyclopedia, also recognizes it as one of the ten greatest sports rivalries ever. But Michigan refuses to travel. Another big reason is that both teams maintained an uninterrupted annual series from 1918 until 2020, which ultimately excites the fans and at the end of the day, sports is about competition and rivalries that ignite the spirit of the game. Moving forward, let’s see Day’s record versus Michigan.

Ryan Day vs Michigan Wolverines

This season Buckeyes and owned the No. 2 position and how? Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy, but they have dominated all the opposition. Did you see them playing against Indiana? Which was again the highly anticipated game of the season. The Hoosiers entered undefeated, but Buckeyes gave them their first defeat of the season.

But hold on! Is Day prepared today? His guidance against Wolverines has been a point of concern as he holds a record of 1-3, which includes the three consecutive losses. Michigan was ranked first last season; they defeated Ohio State, who were ranked second 30-24 and secured a spot in the Big Ten Championship and then what?

Ultimately, they were the national champions. But this season can be with the loss of challenges for the not-so-new head coach of Michigan and now, in week 14, they do not really have anything to lose. On the other hand, today’s game is very crucial for Day and his team. Since last three years, Day has lost to Michigan each year, the foundation is set. Will he end his losing streak?

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