Welcome to the Skull Session
Ohio State's mantra this offseason?
Win Today.
Win Today. pic.twitter.com/ouHkEuXCwU
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 25, 2024
Have a good weekend.
THIS FACT MAKES ME HAPPY. On Wednesday, Jim Harbaugh announced he will be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers after nine seasons at Michigan. The announcement comes after he led the Wolverines to their first national championship in 2023, their first title in 26 years.
In the Thursday Skull Session, I mentioned that Harbaugh is the fourth consecutive Wolverines head coach to leave Michigan with a losing record vs. Ohio State. I am well pleased with that fact — so much so that I will mention it a second time before we start our weekend in Columbus.
Here’s another fact: Of the 15 Michigan head coaches to face the Buckeyes, six had a winning record vs. Ohio State, seven had a losing record, and two were all square in their contests with the Buckeyes:
- Gustave Ferbert (1897-99): 1-0
- Langdon Lea (1900): 0-1
- Fielding H. Yost (1901-1923,1925-1926): 16-3-1
- George Little (1924): 1-0
- Tad Wieman (1927-28): 1-1
- Harry Kipke (1929-37): 3-6
- Fritz Crisler (1938-47): 7-2-1
- Bennie Oosterbaan (1948-58): 5-5-1
- Bump Elliott (1959-1968): 3-7
- Bo Schembechler (1969-1989): 11-9-1
- Gary Moeller (1990-94): 3-1-1
- Lloyd Carr (1995-2007): 6-7
- Rich Rodriguez (2008-10): 0-3
- Brady Hoke (2011-14): 1-3
- Jim Harbaugh (2015-23): 3-5
Sherrone Moore, the obvious choice to become Michigan’s next program leader, will be the fifth consecutive coach to leave the school with a losing record vs. Ohio State and the eighth overall. Book it.
The word “Book” reminds me of the word “Sportsbook,” which reminds me of an email I received on Thursday that featured odds for who will become Michigan’s next head coach. Here are some of the 30 selections that were offered:
- Sherrone Moore: -700
- Lance Leipold: +600
- Brian Kelly: +700
- P.J. Fleck: +1000
- Jesse Minter: +1100
...
- Ryan Day: +10000
- Urban Meyer: +10000
- Bill Belichick: +20000
- Tom Brady: +25000
Bahahahahaahaha.
*inhales*
Bahahahahaahaha.
No.
A CALL TO ARMS. While Ohio State football’s NIL collective, The 1870 Society, has helped the Buckeyes attack and dominate the offseason, Michigan football’s NIL collective, Champions Circle, has been dormant.
It seems the Wolverines’ national championship — one that sparked a fierce name, image and likeness push for Ohio State and The 1870 Society — made Michigan and Champions Circle apathetic toward their NIL efforts.
At least, that was the case until Jim Harbaugh left Ann Arbor for Los Angeles.
Once Harbaugh announced he would become the Los Angeles Chargers’ next head coach, Champions Circle launched its Those Who Stay NIL Campaign, which asked for contributions to the collective. Included in the Champions Circle’s message to Michigan fans is the idea that the Buckeyes have “redoubled their efforts” to build a Big Ten and national championship roster.
From Champions Circle’s website:
Coach Harbaugh is headed to the NFL. An 86-25 record. Three straight victories over Ohio State. Three straight B1G Championships. An unforgettable Rose Bowl. An undisputed National Championship. What a run.
Tonight, an era ended. However, another is just beginning. Michigan needs you more than ever. Will you join us?
Ohio State has signed multiple five star players in the last two weeks – the best running back in the SEC and Alabama's best defensive back, to name a few. Yes, we won a title – but our rivals have redoubled their efforts.
The effort of Champions Circle™ – the premier University of Michigan NIL collective – is critical to the future of the program. Amidst all of the change and uncertainty, we must hold the line and ensure The Team has what they need next season and beyond. It's time for Michigan Family to show our players how much we appreciate them and want them back in Maize and Blue!
To keep the momentum going, please contribute now.
We need your help to keep our team.
Last year, Champions Circle® launched the One More Year Fund to support key Michigan players like Blake Corum, Trevor Keegan, and Zak Zinter who elected to return to Michigan for One More Year.
This is why we’ve launched the Those Who Stay NIL Campaign.
Our rivals are coming after many of our key players, trying to induce them to leave Michigan.
It's time for Michigan Family to show our players how much we appreciate them and want them back in Maize and Blue!
To keep the momentum going, please contribute now.
Interestingly, the message on Champions Circle’s website differs from an email the collective sent to previous contributors. The main differences? The email included a more detailed description of the Buckeyes’ NIL achievements and mentioned that “Ohio State is on the rise.”
From Champions Circle’s email (found on a Michigan message board):
Dear Michigan Faithful,
Our coach, Jim Harbaugh, is headed to the NFL. An 86-25 record. Three straight victories over Ohio State. Three straight B1G Championships. An unforgettable Rose Bowl. An undisputed National Championship.
Without a doubt, this was one of the most memorable, magical runs in Michigan history. All we can say is, "Thank You, Coach Harbaugh."
As Coach begins his next chapter...we have work to do. Tonight, an era ended. However...another is just beginning. Michigan needs you more than ever. Every single Michigan fan must stand with Michigan. Will you join us?
Ohio State has signed multiple five star players in the last two weeks--arguably the best running back in the SEC, Alabama's best player in the secondary, just to name a few. Yes, we won a title – but our rivals have redoubled their efforts. They have not stopped. We can't stop either.
The effort of Champions Circle™ – the premier University of Michigan NIL collective – is critical to the future of the program. Amidst all of the change and uncertainty, we must hold the line and ensure The Team has what they need next season and beyond. When our new coach is named, we must be prepared to support him.
We're all in for The Team, and we hope you are too.
Go Blue!
Champions Circle™
P.S. We’re replacing Michigan legends next year, and Ohio State is on the rise. We need your help. Please share this LINK with your Wolverine Family!
Ohio State is on the rise.
That has made Michigan afraid — and it should be afraid.
After three consecutive losses to the Wolverines, it’s not revenge the Buckeyes are after; it’s a reckoning.
Ohio State’s monumental offseason is just the beginning...
MARV → ARIZONA CARDINALS? With three months until the NFL draft, quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are expected to be the top three selections in 2024, according to Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN), Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) and Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports). The three analysts predicted Harrison will be the No. 4 overall pick for the Arizona Cardinals.
If not for Dane Brugler (The Athletic), who predicted Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the No. 3 overall pick in his mock, we would have a consensus on Williams, Maye and Daniels as the top three prospects off the board.
Here is Brugler's explanation of Harrison at No. 3, as well as Kiper, Brooks and Trepasso's explanations for Harrison at No. 4:
Brugler - New England Patriots, No. 3 overall
The Patriots were cruising to the No. 2 pick until two wins in their final five games dropped them to No. 3. While that likely takes them out of contention for Williams or Maye, the Patriots still have several favorable options. With Bill Belichick no longer with the organization, there is a level of unknown here, especially considering New England needs help in so many areas. Despite questions about who will throw him the ball, though, drafting a legitimate No. 1 target is the wise move.
Kiper - Arizona Cardinals, No. 4 overall
Harrison is one of the best receiver prospects of the past decade, a 6-foot-4 speedster who can run every route and break tackles after the catch. In Arizona, where Marquise Brown is a free agent, he could step into the No. 1 role as a rookie. He has all the tools to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. The Cardinals also own the Texans’ first-rounder in this draft, thanks to last year’s trade during Round 1, and they could look to the defense or offensive line there.
Brooks - Arizona Cardinals, No. 4 overall
The Cardinals add a Larry Fitzgerald-like playmaker to a lineup that desperately needs a No. 1 receiver on the perimeter. The Ohio State standout is a plug-and-play prospect with superstar potential.
Trapasso - Arizona Cardinals, No. 4 overall
The Cardinals are absolutely thrilled to land Harrison Jr. to give the receiver group a jolt for Kyler Murray. Until free agency starts — and trades inevitably happen — these first four selections feel as chalky as they can be as this stage of the pre-draft process.
Or... and hear me out...
The Bears draft Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 1 overall pick and pair him with former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
Or... and hear me out...
The Bears trade the No. 1 overall pick to a team that needs a quarterback, draft Marvin Harrison Jr. and pair him with former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
One can dream.
OLYMPIC VILLAGE. Ohio State wrestling will host Michigan in Columbus on Friday. The dual between the No. 7 Buckeyes and No. 11 Wolverines will come in front of 3,700+ fans at the Covelli Center, in addition to the thousands of fans who will tune into the Big Ten Network's live broadcast.
rivalry week ood #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/eb11hOJoQo
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) January 24, 2024
The Buckeyes and Wolverines' dual will be the 92nd all-time meeting between the schools. Ohio State is 21-67-3 in the series. However, most of the program's success against the Wolverines has come since Tom Ryan took over as head coach in 2006. The Buckeyes won in Ann Arbor, 23-25, last season and, in this season, can secure their first win over Michigan in Columbus since Feb. 3, 2012 — a 24-13 victory at St. John Arena.
Ohio State possesses an 11-1 record in 2023-24 and has ranked wins over Virginia Tech (24-12), Northern Iowa (26-7), NC State (21-20), Cornell (21-20), Illinois (36-6), Maryland (38-4) and Wisconsin (27-15). Its lone loss, Pitt (21-13), came when the Panthers were the No. 18-ranked team in America.
Last week, Nic Bouzakis (133), Jesse Mendez (141), Dylan D'Emilio (149), Isaac Wilcox (157), Rocco Welsh (174) and Nick Feldman (HWT) all went 2-0 in the Buckeyes' victories over the Terrapins and Badgers.
Here are Ohio State and Michigan's starters for The Dual:
*Note: Sammy Sasso, Paddy Gallagher, Carson Kharchla and Gavin Hoffman are all out for the season with injuries.
| OHIO STATE | MICHIGAN | |
|---|---|---|
| NO. 24 BRENDAN MCCRONE | 125 | NO. 14 MICHAEL DEAUGUSTINO |
| NO. 12 NIC BOUZAKIS | 133 | NO. 4 DYLAN RAGUSIN |
| NO. 3 JESSE MENDEZ | 141 | NO. 19 SERGIO LEMLEY |
| NO. 9 DYLAN D'EMILIO | 149 | NO. 6 AUSTIN GOMEZ |
| NO. 30 ISAAC WILCOX | 157 | NO. 10 WILL LEWAN |
| NO. 21 BRYCE HEPNER | 165 | NO. 10 CAMERON AMINE |
| NO. 11 ROCCO WELSH | 174 | NO. 4 SHANE GRIFFIN |
| NO. 32 SETH SHUMATE | 184 | NO. 15 JADEN BULLOCK |
| NO. 22 LUKE GEOG | 197 | BOBBY STIGGROW |
| NO. 16 NICK FELDMAN | HWT | NO. 4 LUCAS DAVISON |
When nine of 10 matches feature ranked-on-ranked bouts, you know Ohio State-Michigan is about to be an instant classic. Add in the clash of the scarlet and gray with the maize and blue, and it's *mwah* *mwah* chef's kiss.
We'll have all the need-to-know information here at Eleven Warriors after the match.
See you later.
SONG OF THE DAY. “The Indigo Streak” - Greta Van Fleet.
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