The students at Ohio State who are diligently crossing out every letter, M, on every sign on campus and replacing it with a bold scarlet, X, would probably push back if ordered to engage in that activity solely on the authority of mom or dad. They’re doing it because it’s Michigan Week in Columbus. Because it’s tradition. Because Saturday is the 115th installment of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry. But really, whether the kids know it or not, they are doing it because some adult gave them the flimsiest reason there is: BECAUSE I SAID SO! Because what is tradition if not a cursory acceptance of something as fact that historical evidence may not support? And in the case of Ohio State-Michigan being a rivalry, there’s little recent justification for labeling what’s set to transpire at noon Saturday in Ann Arbor as anything beyond just another game on the Ohio State schedule.…
Continue Reading: Ohio State-Michigan Is a Rivalry Because They Say It Is
