The Hater’s Guide for Ohio State football fans looking to invalidate Michigan’s potential championship — Jimmy Watkins
CLEVELAND, Ohio — If nightmares can’t hurt you and karma really exists, then Michigan football cannot and will not win the national championship.
Ohio State football fans, or as they’re known this week, Washington diehards, are repeating this mantra as they count down to Monday’s title game between the Huskies and Wolverines. Since the NCAA announced an
investigation into UM’s alleged sign-stealing operation in October, Buckeye supporters have pointed toward the scandal as proof that Michigan’s recent success — two straight Big Ten titles and two straight wins over OSU, entering this season — is illegitimate.
Then UM finished the regular season 3-0 — including wins over Penn State and Ohio State — without coach Jim Harbaugh, who was suspended by the Big Ten. The Wolverines won a third straight conference title last month and beat Alabama during last week’s College Football Playoff semifinal. If UM wins a national championship without aid from illegal scouting practices, will Buckeye fans have any rhetorical counters left?
Of course they will, and they’re insulted you’d think otherwise. A good rival never concedes defeat or credit, especially to a counterpart that has been accused of cheating. Michigan may consider Monday’s title game its ultimate chance at validation, but Ohio State fans will never stop arguing otherwise. And if they need extra fuel, cleveland.com has compiled a list of cases against Michigan’s claim to the throne:
