3. An Ohio State Win Would Be Good for the Rivalry
It pains me to admit it, but if Ohio State does win tonight, it would be beneficial for the rivalry. To have the previous two national champions come out of the game would be the talk of the college football offseason. It would get more eyes onto Michigan as well from both alumni and recruits.
That kind of exposure is frankly invaluable and it would cement this game as the greatest rivalry in the sport. There would be recruits who consider Michigan that may previously have not. And the way that Ohio State 'went all in' (again) this year, Michigan football would be called to step up, bringing in more NIL funds and investment into the program to match.
As much as we like to think a rivalry is about hate, it's about challenging yourself, making yourself better against someone you so badly want to beat. There may be hatred in this rivalry, but both schools make each other better.
And if none of that makes you feel better about tonight's game just remember this: Michigan beat both schools last time we played them. Whether it was a 45-14 blowout of Notre Dame back in 2019 or the 13-10 win just a few months ago against Ohio, we still have bragging rights over both schools.