Well, as Michigan football fans we got our nightmare matchup in tonight's national championship game. Our biggest rival Ohio State and our second (if it were still an active series) biggest rival Notre Dame are playing for the national title. Side note- let's be real, Michigan State is never making the national championship game so we won't count them on this list. To make matters worse even the Notre Dame head coach is an Ohio State alumni (at least someone from Ohio State will lose tonight).
So who do you root for? Is it possible for both teams to lose? Can we see Ryan Day choke again? It may sound bitter, but here's why it really doesn't matter who wins tonight.
1. At Least Someone Has to Lose
As much as I want to watch Michigan football win The Game every year, it's almost just as satisfying watching Ohio State lose. It's why I'll tune into every close game of theirs (and there's a lot more than the media would have you believe) and root for whoever they're playing against down the stretch.
That may sound malevolent, but this is the same fanbase that was spitting on children wearing Michigan gear this past November. The same fan base that every single opponent of theirs has said is the most insufferable collection of people they've had to be around. This is the same school that trademarked the word 'The' and who we have to hear Gus Johnson refer to as 'World Famous' at least eight dozen times a season. In Columbus, they feel that this is their year, that they are owed this win after having to watch Michigan football win it all last year. And after seemingly four straight years of 'all in' and endless excuses about the Michigan game, how enjoyable would it be to watch them still lose to Michigan and come up short of a national title once again?
On the other hand, Notre Dame isn't exactly likable either. Their stubborn stance against joining a conference as 'it was beneath them' or cancelling the Michigan rivalry because they had more important opponents to play in the powerhouse ACC. Yes this game hasn't been played in a few years now, and I would argue some of the perceived arrogance on the part of their fanbase has died down, but don't let that fool you into thinking Notre Dame losing wouldn't be satisfying.
Unfortunately someone has to win tonight, but someone also has to lose. And take joy in the fact that one of the most unlikeable teams in the sport will lose in the most painful fashion imaginable tonight.