For generations of Michigan football fans, it has been an article of faith.
Their two favorite teams? The Wolverines and whoever plays Ohio State.
It’s why former Michigan kicker Jeff DelVerne’s closet looks like the clearance rack at a sporting goods store, filled with team wear from a seemingly random collection of schools.
DelVerne, a 1996 St. John’s Jesuit graduate, has spent the past four seasons cheekily scooping up — and, on gamedays, rocking — the colors of every Buckeyes opponent. His latest wardrobe addition during this Ohio State playoff run: a burnt-orange Texas shirt.
“I love my home state of Ohio so tonight is tough for me,” DelVerne trolled on Facebook before the Buckeyes’ playoff semifinal win over the Longhorns, “but given my affinity for Texas … Hook em!”
So, naturally, it’s now … go Irish!
Right!?!?
If only it were so simple.
With the Buckeyes set to play Notre Dame for the national title on Monday night, the anticipated showdown has presented the ultimate dilemma for Michigan fans.
Which outcome would represent the lesser of two evils?
It is a barstool question as trivial as it is fun, and one made all the more layered by Michigan’s newfound upper hand against the Buckeyes, not to mention its championship last season.
Do you root for archnemesis Ohio State in a year in which it still couldn’t beat the Wolverines? Or do you side with another bitter — albeit lesser and off-and-on — rival because, well, the only thing as sweet as a Michigan win is a crushing Buckeyes loss?
For many UM supporters, it is like choosing between a flat tire and a root canal — and that goes double in these football borderlands of northwest Ohio, where the true bluers encounter Ohio State and Notre Dame fans in the wild every day.
“This is like trying to choose which sister you want to kiss,” cracked Jeremy Miller, a former Michigan long snapper, also by way of St. John’s. “Do I really have to root for somebody here?!”
So, which sister is it?
The Blade put the question to readers on X this week.
And while the margin of error may approximate that of the Iowa presidential poll — plus or minus 112 percent — the results were fascinating all the same.
More than half the 161 respondents who pledged allegiance to Michigan (53.4 percent) said they are rooting for Ohio State; just 28 percent are riding with Notre Dame.
Another 18.6 percent selected, “I hope the teams have fun,” which is to say they’re on Team Meteor.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
— Blade Sports (@toledosports) January 13, 2025
Michigan fans, which team would you rather see win the #NationalChampionship ?
How to explain the survey’s scarlet leanings?
Perrysburg’s Josh Culling gave it a shot.
“I think the standard Michigan fan position is to root for the Buckeyes for three reasons,” he said. “First, the asterisk of a Michigan loss in a national championship season would be delicious. Second, [they] extend Ryan Day. And third, as Coach Schembechler once said, to hell with Notre Dame.”
Other Michigan fans appreciated the backhanded logic, but found pulling for Ohio State easier said than done.
“I don’t care for Notre Dame either, but my gut tells me to root for them over the SO obnoxious Buckeyes and their fans and their coach,” longtime Toledoan Dave Biniecki said in an email. “At the same time, it would be nice to remind them that Michigan did beat the national champion, if they would win.”
Added Miller: “Ohio State winning would be good for the Big Ten, and if I didn't live in Ohio and have to deal with a lot of obnoxious Ohio State fans that like to send me texts during games, I’d probably have a little more joy for them.”
As for DelVerne, well, you might say he’ll wear his heart on his blue-and-gold sleeve Monday night.
Except that’s not entirely right.
Sure, he’ll continue the sartorial tradition that began in 2021 as a playful way to needle Buckeyes fans on Facebook.
“If they beat us, I’ll stop doing the shirt thing,” DelVerne said. “Now, I have to wear my Notre Dame shirt to protect the sanctity of my superstitions for next year.”
But, in truth, he’ll be just fine if his second-favorite team — the one playing Ohio State — lets him down.
With his Wolverines the reigning national champions — and four straight wins over the Buckeyes in their pocket — he’ll leave the angst Monday to his Ohio State and Notre Dame buddies.
“I think this would be the year I would be OK with [Ohio State] winning it,” DelVerne said. “The best analogy is I feel like I've walked into Hollywood Casino and made $5,000 on the first few hands. Then I just stop and have $10 mixed drinks all night while my friends lose all their money and I walk out with $4,900.
“I’ll enjoy it from the cheap seats, not having any downside or liability at this point. If they win it, there will be that craw that one of their losses came to us. If they don't, I'll be there to harass my Buckeye friends.”
For Michigan fans, call it a win-win.
Or is it a lose-lose?
First Published January 16, 2025, 8:19 p.m.
