As a former Michigan quarterback, new Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh knows the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry as well as anyone. But apparently he doesn't have quite the same contempt for the Buckeyes as do many Michigan fans who will be rooting for Oregon to spoil OSU's season in the national championship game on Jan. 12.
Harbaugh, in fact, will be pulling for Ohio State, he said on "The Rich Eisen Show."
"I'm going to be rooting for Ohio State," Harbaugh said. "I'm a midwesterner. I was raised in Ohio and went to Michigan. Was raised in Michigan, as well. For Big Ten football, for midwest football, there has been a lot of talk about other conferences, etc. I think it's just fabulous that a team in our conference is playing in that game. I'd rather it be us; I'd rather it be us."
Not exactly what die-hard Michigan fans probably wanted to hear from their program's new leader, but there it is nonetheless. From a recruiting standpoint, a Buckeyes national title would undoubtedly strengthen the magnet that is already pulling some of the top recruits in the Big Ten region to Columbus, Ohio. Not to mention widen the perception gap for those recruits between where OSU is as a program and where Michigan is -- starting over.
From Harbaugh's standpoint, Ohio State has a chance to re-establish Big Ten football as strong a national brand -- something that can benefit every school in the league. It would also make the Buckeyes all the more a target within the league, one that no school would like to take down more than the Wolverines.
There might be a smattering of Michigan fans who take on Harbuagh's approach and embrace conference pride when the Buckeyes and Ducks take the field in Arlington, Texas.
For most, however, it can't be done without biting a lip and popping a few Rolaids.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
