The Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry has tilted in U-M\u2019s favor over the last two years, and the conversation has revolved around how the Wolverines have bullied their long-hated rivals. OSU head coach Ryan Day has taken exception to that, and made a statement about his team while bringing an 86-year-old man into the conversation.<\/p>\n
Former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz questioned OSU\u2019s toughness under Day earlier this week, and moments after a walk-off win in South Bend, Day was fixated on his team\u2019s perception.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now,\u201d Day said in his postgame interview on NBC. \u201cWhat he said about our team, what he said about our team, I cannot believe. This is a tough team right here. We\u2019re proud to be from Ohio and it\u2019s always been Ohio against the world. And it will continue to be Ohio against the world. But I tell you: I love those kids and we have a tough team.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody\u2019s questioning these kids all the time. We had one bad half the last couple years. That\u2019s it. Everybody wants to question these guys. These guys are warriors that can win. \u2026 I\u2019m emotional about this for a reason. A lot of people question these kids and say a lot about them. And I love them. When someone attacks your family, to come in and win is special. It\u2019s a great win for our program and a great win for Ohio State.\u201d<\/p>\n
The problem is that OSU has had more than one bad half over the last few years. Michigan outscored the Buckeyes 28-14 in the second half of The Game in 2021, a 42-27 Michigan win. Then last year, the Wolverines outscored Ohio State 28-3 in the second half, and it should have been worse if not for a pity whistle on a sack-fumble that would have gone for six.<\/p>\n
For those doing the math at home, that\u2019s a 56-17 margin in the second half over the last two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne bad half.\u201d<\/p>\n
So Day appears to be trying to will toughness into existence. We will have to wait and see how they matchup against Michigan when the Buckeyes come to Ann Arbor on Nov. 25.<\/p>\n