Growing up in Ohio, there's few things that you learn about earlier in life than The Game.
Ohio State and Michigan, for all the marbles. That's what you knew from the time you could walk.
The Friday before the game you'd head to school with your newest Scarlet and Gray gear and you'd no doubt make fun of that one kid in your class donning Maize and Blue. You'd mock him mercilessly in the hopes that by way of your support, John Cooper would find a way to rally the Buckeyes to a late November win.
That was life as a Buckeye fan in Ohio. That was not just who you rooted for, but who you were.
Imagine, or try to, being that kid who grew up adoring everything Ohio State as your own football career began to take shape. No doubt you'd dream of your first touchdown in Ohio Stadium, the moment you ran down that tunnel for the first time with your silver helmet glistening in the sun. That's the dream we've all dreamed 1,000 times.
So what happens when Michigan's football program offers you a scholarship and the Buckeyes haven't? When you're a recruit thinking about your future, suddenly being a fan stops being the most important thing in your mind.
"I knew a lot about The Game before I was even recruited, and it changed things a lot," Ohio State 2017 commit Todd Sibley said when asked about getting offered by the Wolverines. "It is hard but you just have to realize that in the recruiting process nothing is personal it's all business."
Class of 2016 Buckeyes' commit Luke Farrell wasn't a big fan of any one team growing up, but the rivalry was still something he was aware of.
"I didn't have a built-in hatred for Michigan growing up," Farrell told 11W. "I didn't really watch much sports before high school, but I definitely knew about it, it's the biggest rivalry in all of sports. After I started getting recruited I definitely paid attention more but I paid more attention to schools recruiting me in general."
Jake Hausmann, who has never made any bones about being an Ohio State fan growing up, said that more than most recruits, he knew what The Game was all about.
"I knew about the Ten Year War and Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, so I knew a lot more than other recruits I think. I grew up celebrating the entire week so not much has changed since I was a kid," Hausmann said. "When I was recruited though, I kind of had to have an open-mind just because early on you consider anything an option."
Sibley, Farrell and Hausmann are Ohio born and raised, so the predisposition towards the Buckeyes and away from Michigan is as basic as breathing. For a player like Fort Wayne, Indiana's Austin Mack, it had to be learned.
"I really knew very little about the schools, the rivalry," Mack told 11W. "At both programs there is hate everywhere about the other. You could even hear it when they was discussing matters personally about me deciding."
Since becoming an Ohio State commit in June, on the heels of a social media-fueled feud between Michigan assistant Jedd Fisch and Ohio State assistant Zach Smith, Mack says he's learned quite a bit, but still doesn't feel the "hate" associated with the rivalry. He's got close friends heading to Michigan next year, so right now it's about celebrating the accomplishments of a successful high school career.
"I know a lot more now" Mack said. "Like the history on it, but it's hard to actually feel the hate and everything until I'm really there. It's totally different for out-of-state guys. I'm super cool with (Michigan commits) Brandon Peters and Chris Evans."
Sibley said he too had felt the animosity between the schools during the brief time both were active in his recruitment.
"They would just talk about how they respect each other," Sibley said. "But most of the time it would just be a lot of negativity about each other (laughing). I remember (Urban) Meyer telling me that (Michigan) is a great program I was a bit surprised he said that (laughs)."
Hausmann wasn't able to really give much honest consideration to Michigan, he says. The Buckeye in his blood ran too deep.
"I always somewhat gave (Michigan) the 'cold shoulder,'" Hausmann said. "Deep down I kind of always told myself to keep distance from them even though I knew I had to give them a fair chance. It's complicated (laughs)."
For Luke Farrell, who didn't have an opinion for most of his life, he knew he was part of an important battle.
"(Both schools) talked about each other some to me," Farrell said. "Michigan knowing that I was an Ohio kid they knew Ohio State would be high on my list. Coach Meyer obviously doesn't want to lose in-state prospects, to them especially."
If "to them" sounds like a guy learning to dislike his future rival, you're right. The four-star tight end from Perry, Ohio, says he's starting to understand The Game a bit more.
"I already feel it myself," Farrell said of Michigan. "They're a well-respected team and they have a lot of tradition. But yeah, I definitely don't like them."
