Today was the big day. I am sure many people are having several takes on the games today. However the game of the day was #2 Michigan vs. #1 Ohio State. In this writer’s opinion, the game ended with Ohio State still the #1 team and Michigan still the #2 team. This game, no this rivalry, embodied all that is good about college football. The teams respected each other, and each other’s abilities.

            To the Ohio State Buckeyes:

You played a great game today. You showed the nation why you are the #1 team in the land. You played a hard fought, emotional game against a bitter rival. You deserve your victory and your trip to Glendale this year. You should be proud of your accomplishment this year, your Big Ten title, and your victory over a great Michigan team. You showed respect to a Michigan team feeling the loss of a beloved coach, mentor, friend, and a legend in college football. To this Michigan fan, you are more then just another opponent and rival. You are a true testament to what is great about this rivalry and about, Respect, honor, and integrity. Even though my beloved Wolverines lost this game, it could not have been to a better opponent.

            To the Michigan Wolverines:

You played a great game today. You never gave up in the face of adversity or backed down from the challenge. You are true champions. Even with the loss, you honored the memory of Bo Shembechler. You stayed with it. You ARE champions. You too played an emotional game today. The losses felt by us all were enormous. College football may have lost a great man, but you proved to the nation that his spirit lives, and will continue to live in all of the future generations that attend and play at the University of Michigan. There is no shame in your loss today. What you did today will live on in the memories of all Michigan fans. Most of all though, you made Bo Shembechler a proud man. Even he knows you can’t win them all.

            I don’t want to hear Michigan fans (or Ohio State fans) complaining that there were bad calls on the field. I watched the game. There were not any such bad calls. Yes, the field conditions were bad, but that’s part of the game. There are no excuses for what happened. It was a great game. What happened happened…end of story. Good teams overcome adversity and all odds to win. In the end, that did not happen for us. That is the way it happens sometimes. Congratulate the Ohio State Buckeyes and move on, there is always next year.

            Michigan did nothing today to prove to me that they are still not the #2 team in the nation. The championship game should feature the two best teams in college football. The voters have a lot to consider the next few weeks. Even though a lot of people do not want a rematch, the game should be the best two teams. Even if it is a rematch, the two best teams DESERVE to play in that game. It should not be about money. It should not be about this, that, or the other. It should be about who is the best two teams. After today, I have seen nothing to change my mind that Ohio State and Michigan are STILL the two best teams in college football.

And on that note, I have one more bit of business to attend to…..how it pains me so…..

In old Ohio there's a team
That's known throughout the land
Eleven warriors brave and bold,
Whose fame will ever stand.
And when the ball goes over,
Our cheers will reach the sky,
Ohio Field will hear again
The Buckeye Battle Cry!

Drive, Drive on down the field,
Men of the scarlet and gray;
Don't let them through that line,
We've got to win this game today,
COME ON OHIO!
Smash through to victory,
We cheer you as we go!
Our honor defend we will fight to the end
for OHIO!

Real bad or real good depending on how you see it. If anyone watched Gameday this morning, they pretty much confirmed what I said eariler this week. If West Virginia, Louisville, and USC all lose (all three have a shot to drop one of their last games) and Michigan and Ohio State Stay undefeated to the Nov 18 showdown, the loser of that game could still be playing for the National Championship. And really only USC has to lose for that to happen given the distance between the 3rd and 4th place teams.

Is this good, or bad. Is the Big Ten really that good? Is any one loss team better then a 1 loss Ohio State or Michigan? Is this really the year that if this happens that the major confrences start throwing a huge fit? It really seems that this could really expose the BCS for what it is.

Or does it? Maybe Michigan and Ohio State really are the two best teams in the NCAA? If that is the case, then I guess the BCS would be fine.

Dou you think it could happen? Seems like it could if you do the math. Especially if the Michigan/Ohio State game is close.

While I agree that the Offense is seriously lacking, the defense has been amazing. While for me, that would not be enough to count Indy out of the game, several inches of snow and possibly freezing temps will. The Indy running game will be stifled in Denver, no doubt. However, Peyton Manning in his two illustrious trips to Denver have netted 0 Touchdowns (that's right 0) and 1 Interception. Granted, he did not finish the game in Denver last year but I wonder how well he really would have fared. Considering the weather and the fact that Harrison will be covered by Champ Bailey all day and the improved play by Williams and Foxworth (I expect to see alot of nickle with these 3 in the game), I just don't see Manning having a big day.

Also while I am not sod on Jake "The Mistake" (can he really be called anything else this year?), he does have the advantage here. He has played in this weather many times over and is very strong under these conditions. Javon Walker knows how to play in inclimate weather and should be able to show up the corner and break for big plays. Tatum will pound the ball mercilessly against a horrible run defense and probably rack up close to 150 yards and at least 1 score. I imagine Mike Bell gets in on the action as well. I would not be at all suprised if Denver goes for over 200 yards on the ground.

Now on to my college beef of the season so far. It has to be the most highly rated, yet underrated team in the NCAA, Michigan. While quietly moving up to the #2 spot, everyone still says the same thing, they cannot beat Ohio State. Yet this Michigan team has done what it does every year. Great Defense, Average Offense. Then I wonder about the BCS. Say the rest of the undefeated teams loose a game, would any of those teams really be better then a 1 loss Michigan or Ohio State? I honestly think as screwed up as the BCS is, Michigan and Ohio State could be playing for the National Championship game. But what a game that would be. But I still take Michigan to be the #1 team after it's all said and done. After all, Ohio State has not faced a great defense yet, and Michigan is looking for payback. Probably more so then the Notre Dame game.