It used to be that only the good folks in Columbus, Ohio really despised that team from up north. After all, red doesn’t go with blue and there are many examples of that from Manchester, England to the Big 10. But as the Wolverines strap on the chin straps for the start of the 2024 season it seems that the “dislike” of the Wolverines isn’t limited to the city limits of Columbus or South Bend or Lansing.
Winning will do that and the Wolverines did plenty of that last season. Winning championships also will do that and the Wolverines won a National Championship and another Big 10 title last year. So, there is that.
There is also is coach Jim Harbaugh and what he represented. He’s one of those coaches/players you love to have on your team but despise if he’s not. And even though he’s now with the Chargers, “Harbaugh Derangement Syndrome” will no doubt linger over Ann Arbor for years to come.
And then there is the perceived “they cheat” narrative that continues to make the rounds, from the public arena to the NCAA offices to Netflix. Michigan fans just roll their eyes and say, “whatever.” Some even enjoy being the villain – like the Pistons back in the Bad Boys days (like we really cared what people in Chicago thought of Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn).
So this all brings us to Saturday night. It’s a new season. With a new coach. A new quarterback. A new star running back. Etc. Etc. Etc. While there is always optimism and high expectations for the Michigan football program, change usually brings a little trepidation. The unknown brings the hopes and dreams back a few yards but the end zone is always in clear focus for a Wolverine fan.
So, how do the Wolverines feel about all the noise from the outside?
“When you are at the bottom, they don’t respect you; when you are in the middle, they ignore you; and when you are at the top they hate you,” said Head Coach Sherrone Moore during his Aug. 13 press conference. “For us, we are just going to keep rolling.”
The “roll” begins on Saturday night.
What: Michigan (15-0 in 2023) vs. Fresno State (9-4 in 2023).
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.
Where: The Big House
TV/radio: NBC; WXYT-FM (97.1).
ALL PHOTOS BY TERRY JACOBY / WLAA-D
U-M Football Notebook: All you need to know – and more – heading into Game 1
