Another post-worthy mention coming out of Adam Rittenberg’s ESPN Big Ten Blog:
Dan from Minneapolis writes: Adam, you pointed out the unique nature of first time coaches in the UM – MSU rivalry. I also wanted to point out uniqueness about first time coaches in the UM – OSU rivalry. Aside from Cooper, going back to WW Hayes, first time coaches have WON their first meeting in the series. Correct me if I am wrong but that is quite impressive
Adam Rittenberg writes: You’re correct, first-time coaches have fared well in the Michigan-Ohio State series, perhaps because the games typically are played later in the season when coaches have a better feel for their teams. Woody Hayes lost his first meeting with Michigan, 7-0, in 1951, but Earle Bruce beat the Wolverines in 1979 and Jim Tressel did the same in 2001. The Buckeyes went through four coaches during the 1940s who went 1-2-1 against Michigan. Michigan hasn’t had a coach lose his first game against Ohio State since Harry Kipke in 1929. Kipke’s first game, interestingly enough, was played midway through the season on Oct. 19. Rich Rodriguez will have a tough task to keep Michigan’s run alive, but it helps that the game is at the end of the season.
Next, Dave Dye of the Detroit News drops some more history when he makes this prediction:
Michigan State will finish ahead of Michigan in the Big Ten standings for only the second time since 1969, the first year Bo Schembechler took over in Ann Arbor. The only time has been MSU’s 1987 Rose Bowl season.
Really? Not even when Gibby was there?
Finally, Eric Lacy, in his blog post on DetNews.com pointed out this beauty of a photoshop from spartantailgate.com:
