Rivalry games always showcase the heart and soul of sports competition. photo courtesy of Barbara J. Perenic
A recap of the two largest NCAA games of this year.
Sporting events are some of the most energetic and fun aspects of college. This is true not just for current students, but also for alumni, prospective students, and each school’s greater community as a whole. As the football season winds down, the most highly anticipated, significant games are being played, giving many the relief they have waited on. The recent football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes was the ultimate showdown . When Michigan and Ohio State meet on the football field, the stadium is filled for more than just some football game; this is The Game. The decades-long rivalry between Buckeyes and Wolverines has captured the hearts and minds of fans, players, and coaches alike, and the competition continues to escalate to a higher level each year The Game is played.
Michigan and Ohio State’s rivalry dates back all the way to 1897, but the feud has become arguably the most prevalent rivalry in the history of college football in the past 20 years. The game is about much more than a win or a loss; it’s the culture of the two programs that have been engineered to play as though this game is the ultimate measuring stick. This year on November 30th, the teams took to action, each led by their own masterminds who have made significant contributions to the sport and have been recognized as experts in the field of coaching. For Michigan, Jim Harbaugh’s long standing run-first philosophy was in full effect. On the other side, Ryan Day’s Ohio State offense displayed the classic explosiveness right out of the gate. Ohio State demanded airspace with passes being thrown from the very first possession. The game was fought tooth and nail, and, despite the standings and odds, Michigan was able to come through victorious once again. Now, I could tell you how this is an underdog story, how Michigan was not favored to win. In fact, they were generally predicted to lose. But the underdog narrative is simply not true; fans knew that when it came down to The Game, Michigan would never let them down. Michigan reigned victorious with a final score of 13-10.
Pivoting off of the field and onto the court, the Kansas vs. Duke basketball game took place last Thursday, and, once again, history was made. The coaching in this game is what made it so fascinating, even aside from the years of rivalry between the schools. For Kansas, Coach Bill Self, a national champion veteran, continued his strategic defense and tactical and relentless offense. On the Duke side was Jon Scheyer, a newer coach who is attempting to fill the shoes of renowned Coach K. The game was neck and neck throughout, with emotions running high in the Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena, where the game took place. The game itself was about more than just the score, serving as a reminder of all the reasons basketball is so loved. The sport is something that people can fall in love with over and over again, a culmination of history, and shared joy in order to play for something bigger than basketball; to play for the fans, legacy, and passion. Kansas brought home the trophy once again, but in a nail biting game. Kansas won it all by a mere three points with a final score of 75-72. The energy was unmatched in terms of vibrance and electricity. In the end, Kansas vs. Duke was more than a game—the match was a masterful display of talent, and a reminder that sometimes the greatest battles come from the most bitter rivalries.
These games were more than a battle on the court or the field, they were a special moment in the year, much like a holiday for fans, players, and sports enthusiasts alike. From the football and basketball fans that watch every second of every game, to the person that’s never watched a sport in their lives, these games are for everyone. These games have always held a special place in my heart because of the memories I have watching the game with my dad, so make your own memories, and make sure to tune in next year!
