I am writing this post before today’s football game in Ann Arbor. So, I do not know how it turned out and I will not be making any predictions. It is supposed to be a close game. It is sunny and bright here in the Lou, so likely we will be out and about during the game. Today is shop local Saturday and we plan on hitting some local stores in Maplewood. Tomorrow there is even a chance of snow. The chances are not that great, but they are probably still better than those of Michigan State’s this season. State’s coach misbehaved earlier this season, was fired for his deeds and the school has paid the price all season long.

Both Michigan and Ohio State come into this game with perfect 11-0 records—Two teams enter. One Team wins. Then both teams leave—Michigan has won in their last two meetings, albeit now under the auspices of scandal. If Ohio State wins today that casts into doubt those two victories. If Michigan wins, then they were the better team and did not need to cheat. I do not buy the rube that it was all just the machinations of some assistant coach. What self-respecting head coach would take advice from an assistant without knowing what was going on. Harbaugh knew, he condoned it and then profited off of it. Now he is on timeout.

This is not the first time that this storied rivalry has been marred by scandal. Back in 1971, I was in high school, kitty corner to the Big House. The same high school that Harbaugh later attended. We had scored tickets; my dad was attending Michigan at the time. We sat way back in the student section. At half time the students passed empty bottles of Go Blue wine up through the stands. They were balanced on the edge, high atop the stadium. Michigan won that game. It also snowed during the game. But that game is best remembered for the tantrum that Woody Hayes, the Ohio State head coach had. When a play did not go his way, he tore up the down markers and then was ejected from the game.