The torture a Buckeye fan goes through watching Michigan play.

Let’s get one thing clear. As an Ohio State fan, I don’t give a damn for the whole state of Michigan. I feed off of seeing them lose, make fluke accidents, or flat-out suck in a game. It gives me a reason to make fun of them and tease their fanbase. But even though I say, “YES!!!” when other teams make big plays against them, I still want them to win every game… until they face Ohio State.

But, as I tend to do from time to time, Saturday afternoon I found myself rooting against Michigan as I was watching them play Penn State. While watching the game, I caught myself yelling in frustration while Michigan made big plays, and while refs missed pass interference and holding calls. It wasn’t until my fiancé heard me and said, “I thought you wanted Michigan to win?” that I realized I had conflicting viewpoints.

You see, one of the things that makes the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry great is that both teams are historically powerhouse programs. Since their rivalry is the greatest in college football, Michigan is part of what makes Ohio State great. And vice versa.

Why do I want the Womanrines to win every game before they play Ohio State? Well, first of all, I want them to be good when we beat them. I like the thought of us spoiling their season. And second, it’s good for the rivalry.

But when you have so much hatred toward them, it’s SOOOO hard to root for them if you are watching them play. Again, that’s another thing that makes the rivalry so great. Yes, there’s hatred, but there’s also mutual respect within it that makes it indescribable to those that aren’t a part of it.

I find myself saying “Damn it!” when Michigan makes big plays versus other teams, even though I want them to win in the long run anyway. It's a frustrating, psychological roller-coaster ride when I watch ‘that team up north’ play other teams.

Although I want them to win, I am quick to make fun of them if they lose. Never was that more apparent than when Michigan lost to Division 1-AA Appalachian State on this iconic would-be game-winning field goal that was blocked and nearly taken back for a touchdown back in 2007:

So, although I want Michigan to win every game besides the one versus Ohio State, I find myself rooting against them while watching them play other teams, just because I hate them so much.

Michigan beat Penn State 41-to-17, by the way.