Spielman: Wolverines are 'dead men walking'
Herbstreit says U-M is 'sorry' it has to play Ohio State
The Detroit News
So, what's being said in Columbus about Saturday's annual rivalry game between No. 10 Ohio State (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) and Michigan (3-8, 2-5)?
Here are excerpts of the conversation that took place Monday on WBNS 1460 AM's "The Big Show," hosted by Bruce Hooley. He was joined by former Ohio State players Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Spielman, now both analysts for ESPN.
Spielman: "Anybody that played in that game understands what that game is and how special it is. For Michigan, I think it's vital for them because they have absolutely nothing. I admit when I'm wrong -- I was wrong about Michigan winning four games. I think they're going to win three."
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Herbstreit: "Yeah, I can see a three touchdown win (by Ohio State). I'm the first guy, just like (Spielman), to say, 'Hey, this game's a rivalry, it's special, you never know, expect the unexpected.' Not this year. I think Ohio State will go in, they'll be motivated, they'll be ready, they'll be hyped-up, the stadium will be hyped-up. And for Michigan, I don't even know, are they saying they're gonna come in and shock the world? Are they saying things like that?"
Spielman: "This team has no confidence, man. They're dead men walking."
Herbstreit: "I think they're just looking forward to getting the season over and hitting the recruiting road."
Spielman: "I don't think it's going to be close. They're not very good. The problem Michigan has is they know they're not very good, and the coaches know they're not very good, and the fans know they're not very good."
Herbstreit: "They're a tough watch, watching that outfit. This is a great example of why I like to see Michigan be a very good, very competitive team. They're 3-8 on their way to 3-9. And this is like the year somebody told you (the truth) about Santa Claus. This is like taking all the wind out of the sails.
"I know it's still Ohio State-Michigan, and when the teams run onto the field, it's still special, but this is just anti-climatic. (Michigan is) going to run onto the field, and 'Booooooo!' Who you booing? They're 3-8.
"If they didn't have to be there, they wouldn't be there. They're sorry they have to be there. They don't want to be. They're going to take the game, get it over with and get out of there."
Spielman: "I love seeing them beaten down. It's not our fault Michigan's bad. What do you want us to do, give 'em some of our players to make it fair? They're not holding up their end of the bargain. It's on them."
Herbstreit: "I understand that, it's on them. But the rivalry is built upon the game meaning so much to both sides. When I think about being a little kid and watching that game, I think of great Ohio State and great Michigan teams, and that's the way I wish it was every year."
Spielman: "I wish it was, too, but they screwed up. They had to go and mess it up. They got their dirty maize-and-blue hands on it, they screwed it up."
I remember that shit. 
