WATCH: Jim Harbaugh, Ryan Day attempt to say nice things about rival and hilariously fall flat
It’s Thanksgiving week, meaning it’s time for The Game between Ohio State and Michigan.
Two of college football’s most bitter rivals will square off in Ann Arbor on Saturday, and the Big Ten Network had the two head coaches that will be on the field this weekend try to say something nice about various facets of their opponent’s program.
“It’s big, it’s loud,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said hesitantly of Ohio Stadium after a four-second pause. “It’s an iconic stadium.”
In addition to being the Wolverines head coach since 2014, Harbaugh was the Michigan quarterback from 1983-1986 and a first-round NFL Draft selection in 1987.
While he is a graduate of New Hampshire and originally from the state, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day struggled to compliment “that team up North” just the same.
“Nope,” Day said of Michigan Stadium while shaking his head with a smirk.
“Probably not,” the third-year coach added on the topic of maize and blue.
Day’s most famous Ohio State-Michigan comments came in the summer of 2020. After Harbaugh leveled accusations of impermissible on-field coaching in Columbus, Day told his players he would “hang 100 on ‘em” in a team meeting shortly thereafter. The teams ultimately did not play. The contest was canceled due to COVID-19 issues.
Hutchinson’s Michigan allegiance extends beyond his personal play
Michigan defensive lineman and likely first-round NFL Draft pick Aidan Hutchinson got in on the fun as well, attempting to comment on Ohio Stadium, their mascot and their colors.
“Their fans are committed,” Hutchinson said of the Buckeyes’ home field.
Hutchinson, now in his fourth year in Ann Arbor, has ties to the program that go much farther back than when he set foot on campus in 2018. His father, Chris, was an All-American defensive tackle and linebacker for the Wolverines from 1989-1992. The former captain also received a medical degree from Michigan. Additionally, Hutchinson’s mother went to Michigan, as do his two sisters. He grew up in nearby Dearborn.
“Don’t have a lot of good things to say about Brutus,” Hutchinson added of the Buckeyes’ famous mascot. “His head is pretty dimensionally sound.”
The two-time team captain offered one final take on the rival program.
“Those were my high school colors,” Hutchinson, a graduate of Divine Child High School, said of the scarlet and gray.
Clearly, this was a difficult exercise for all involved.
Ohio State-Michigan kicks off at noon ET on Fox on Saturday, and the Buckeyes are an 8.5-point favorite. Michigan leads the series 58-51-6 all-time, but Ohio State has dominated the rivalry recently. The Buckeyes have won every game dating back to 2012 and 15 of the last 16. Harbaugh has never beaten the Buckeyes as the Michigan head coach.