The Real Red Versus Blue - Ohio State v. Michigan

The ballots are in, the voters have spoken, Democrats take Congress, Bush dumps Rumsfeld, and the GOP is reeling. So what does it all mean? For this Citizen Hunter, it means it's time to forget about politics for 3 hours on Saturday, ok maybe more if you count making nachos, and turn to the biggest regular season college football game of the new century.

This Saturday, #2 Michigan will travel to Columbus, Ohio to face archrival and #1 ranked Ohio State for all the marbles - national bragging rights and a first class ticket to the BCS title game. How unusual is this particular Red v. Blue matchup? It will be the first time since 1974 that the two Big Ten big dogs will meet undefeated.

You might be saying, "Sure, it's a big game. There are lots of big football games every year so why are you wasting time talking about it on a civic website?" Football is more than a game for many people, it's a passion, just like politics. And college football especially, has a connection with its fans that professional leagues never will.

I used to be a huge sports junkie, having played many my whole life at every level. I lived in Philly during a great sports era (Mike Scmidt and Dr. J--heaven!). Then I moved to Michigan for 10 years and watched the Red Wings kick butt, the Tigers dominate, and the Bad Boy Pistons start the era that would end in back to back championships. Michigan won the Rose Bowl and the NCAA hoops title, later the Fab 5 were national news. It was hard not to live and breathe sports, and why would you want to?

But then something happened, players acted out more than I had remembered, cry baby complaints over already bloated salaries, and scandal after scandal that revealed what I guess everyone knew besides this pollyanna girl, that college sports is not an amateur undertaking after all. My grandfather was a ref for the olympics, my uncle and step-mom made the team and I grew up with such a respect for those who give it all for the love of the game. In a minute I snapped and said forget this, you guys lost me.

Sure, I missed it. I missed the feeling of having something in common with every person on the Detroit Streets, something that brought people who had little else to agree on together. I missed sitting in nose bleed seats and cheering my heart out like every player heard my pasison and that would be what made them give just a little bit more. But I am stubborn, and I would not give in. No more watching sports for Flavia, just play them!

I have started cheating over the years and the affair at different points has become pretty intense, but it was a very sweet, and super handsome, I might add Michigan football fanatic who gently brought me into the fold. Ok, not so gently, he brings Michigan football up at every possible moment and relates all political, social, emotional, and spiritual topics to his beloved Blue. So here I am, preparing for game day.

I played a Division 1 sport, and it wasn't football, in case you were wondering. Just making it to Division 1 football is a dream for most high school players, and only a blessed few will ever see an NFL paycheck. Most of us who never played the game assume all these guys were just born strong and fast because it looks so easy, but football is both strategically complex and brutally primitive. You need to constantly be in the right place at the right time, and push a huge, powerful guy out of the way or drag him to the ground ( I know something about that) many, many times, over the course of several hours. The work ethic and dedication required to earn a spot on the field in a game like this one is incredible.

Americans by nature take pride in what they do, and this game offers us a glimpse at our ideal selves. Even though we don't always succeed, we know what it takes to reach the top of the mountain to become a doctor or engineer, start a new business, write a book, or even win an election. And that special quality is precisely what will be on full display this Saturday when this year's group of Buckeyes and Wolverines take the field.

UPDATE: It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Michigan's legendary coach, Bo Schembechler, this morning. Bo meant more to Michigan football and its fans across the country than I will ever know. Let's just say that no one mattered more than Bo. Rest in peace, and Go Blue!

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