To the folks who thoroughly enjoyed the flag planting in Columbus last year, Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore says it won't be the lasting image of winning on the road anymore. The trend has been growing every year in marquee non-conference and conference affairs. The supremacy factor and players' emotions take over in the intense moment of warfare and create a boxing match environment.
As for the coaches in the middle of all of the banter, they'll continue to harp on showing sportsmanship and shaking hands like adults. On the other hand its hard to control 300 pound athletes who just proved themselves for 60 minutes on the field in enemy territory. That's where the problem lies. The heat of the moment is just too much to mind their own business.
For those who preach handshaking afterwards, those days may be behind us. Claiming the opposing stadium after a victory is not good for college football but it sparks a fire inside that cannot be controlled. With all the hate involved in these throwdowns, its becoming a normal thing in such a do or die sport that won't go away so easily.
When Thanksgiving rolls around this year the Buckeyes will have bitter revenge on their minds when they march into Ann Arbor. Security and police officers might not be enough to handle what could occur if the Buckeyes leave Michigan with a victory. I can promise that Michigan's response will not be very sportsmanlike and cause a stir all over the place.
With Texas invading Columbus on opening day and Michigan trotting into Norman, Oklahoma in week two, tensions will be running high. The first reaction for the Longhorns would be to plant the flag like they did at Michigan stadium last September. The second that someone opens their mouth in the winning moments can and will result in total chaos.
Lengthy suspensions are harsh, but may be the only way to get the point across to jealousy and livid actions that are putting a black eye on the sport's most viewed games. Eyeballs from across the globe will be on both of these sites to see if the road team decides to make it personal by crossing the line.