[NU Sports] Urban Meyer and The Game

[Mike Nolan]

Urban Meyer didn't go as far as Tressel did when he was hired and promise
a victory over Michigan, it'll be interesting to see how he approaches
The Game.

Personally, I'd love to see that rivalry become competitive again,
it's part of what makes the Big Ten great.  

Brady Hoke ends every player meeting with the phrase "beat Ohio",
pointedly leaving the 'State' off the school name.

It reminds me of the days when Woody Hayes would refuse to call the
school Michigan, referring to it as "that school up North".  Hayes went 
so far as to refuse to buy gas in Michigan on recruiting trips.  

It's a shame to see so many long time rivalries die out due
to realignment, a trend which probably started with the end of the 
annual Oklahoma-Nebraska game by the Big XII.  The Big Ten did themselves 
no favor when they allowed some of their rivalries to become less than 
annual affairs, too.  

Personally, I don't buy for 30 seconds Texas's claim that there's
no room on the schedule for A&M until at least 2019.  If they
really WANTED to find room on the schedule to keep that rivalry
going, they could find a way to schedule it in 2012.  I think they're
secretly (or may not so secretly) relieved that they have one fewer
tough game each year.  Here's hoping that TCU and West Virginia
beat the snot out of the Horns, with great frequency!
--
Mike Nolan