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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — You’d think with Michigan set to play its arch-rival on Saturday that there would be a war of words, especially given some of the circumstances.
However, there’s been a level of cordiality leading up to The Game against Ohio State, if not outright willful ignorance in some regard.
Yes, Michigan has acknowledged that it’s been a long while since it has beaten OSU, as has it regarded what happened last year in Columbus. Perhaps it’s an attempt to avoid bulletin board material for a team it doesn’t want to get any more fired up, particularly because the Wolverines already have a quiet reason to be angrier than usual heading into the final Saturday of November.
That’s because two former Michigan coaches inexplicably left the program this offseason in favor of joining the Buckeyes. It’s not unprecedented — famed head coach Bo Schembechler was once an assistant there, and Gary Moeller was an Ohio State team captain. Current offensive line coach Ed Warinner won national championship in Columbus in the same role, and that’s the hope for two former Wolverines coaches who are now coaching under Ryan Day.
Former linebackers coach Al Washington’s lateral move made all the sense in the world. He was the son of a former Buckeyes captain himself and grew up in Columbus revering all things scarlet and grey. But Greg Mattison, the former defensive line coach turned OSU co-defensive coordinator? His turn of the coat shocked the college football world when WolverinesWire broke the news back in January.
So, if Michigan has any hard feelings — and it indicated it did back in the spring — it’s being awfully quiet about it now.
Jim Harbaugh was asked what it would be like to face his two former assistants wearing enemy colors on Saturday and he quickly demurred, praising the job Day has done since taking over the program this offseason.
“I think Ryan Day has done a tremendous job and I think his coaching staff has done a tremendous job coaching this team,” Harbaugh said. “They’re one heckuva good football team. It’s a challenge, in terms of the preparation during the week. We’ve been doing it and attacking it and feel confident right now, feel good. Excited to get on the field and practice.”
That attitude was reflected by the players as well.
Defensive tackle Carlo Kemp has to face his former mentor in Mattison on Saturday, having played for him for three years before watching him join his archenemy. But, like Harbaugh, he isn’t taking any of the bait.
“Nothing really changes except they’ve got very good coaches, but at the same time, we’ve got very good coaches as well,” Kemp said. “Everybody in that meeting room and everybody that’s been with us — since January, since camp, since spring ball — they’ve been working for this, they’ve been thinking about this game. It’s a huge opportunity. Everybody in there is ready to go.
“Being able to be a part of this with the coaches I have in my room and the coaches that I have every day at practice, going out there and playing for them, that’s what gets you excited to this game. Getting to go out there with everybody that’s been here and is ready to go for this game.”
Fellow team captain Khaleke Hudson is in similar territory.
Washington was the Wolverines linebackers coach a year ago, and now Hudson has to see him on the opposite sideline this time around.
He harbors no ill-will towards the former Wolverines coach, and is more focused on the task at-hand rather than sending some kind of message.
At least, that’s what’s being said publicly.
“Ultimately, it’s their life, it’s their decision,” “I don’t hold anything against them. They decided to go to there. They had to make decisions for themselves and for their families. I got nothing but the most utmost respect for both of them guys. It’s gonna be good — it’s gonna feel good playing against them. They went to Ohio State — I’m not really focused on that. I’m just focused on the team, what we’ve gotta do. How we’re going to practice and how we’re going to prepare to get ready to get a victory on Saturday.”
Certainly, this Michigan team won’t be without motivation when the Buckeyes enter The Big House on Saturday, even if it is downplaying some of the key storylines in that regard.
Kickoff is slated for noon EST and the game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
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