March to the beat of a different drum

I'm going to let you all in on a little secret of mine. Well, for those of you who know me, it's not that much of a secret, but it's something I feel everybody should know.\nI am a die-hard Ohio State football fan, and I have been my entire life. Being born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, just a 10-minute drive from Ohio Stadium, there really wasn't much of a choice for me. To live in Columbus and not be a Buckeye fan is considered sacrilegious. But I'm not going to spend the rest of the article talking about why I love Ohio State football because I know you probably don't want to hear it. Instead I'm going to tell you about my distaste for that team up north, and I'm not talking about Purdue. I'm referring to the team that resides in the bleak town of Ann Arbor.\nFor those of you planning on attending the game between IU and Michigan this Saturday, I would recommend you bring some ear plugs to drown out the awful sound known as the Wolverines' fight song -- "Hail to the Victors." \nIf you've ever had the pleasure of seeing a Wolverine football game in person, then you've experienced their fight song close to 1,000 times before halftime. For some unknown reason, the Wolverine marching band feels the need to play the fight song after every play, no matter how good or bad the team did. Sacked for a 10-yard loss? Play the fight song! Going to the restroom? Play the fight song! I'd rather pick up trash along the highway than hear that song.\nMany people have come up to me this week and asked me if the Hoosiers have any chance against the Wolverines this weekend. The answer is the same every time: Of course. \nLast year IU kept the game close until late in the third quarter, and so far this season, Michigan has not impressed. The Wolverines dropped a game to a punchless Notre Dame squad, and they almost lost at home to San Diego State. Michigan can be beat. The Wolverines are a power running team with no good running backs, and even though they have some of the best receivers in the country, they are starting a true freshman at quarterback. Additionally, while their defense is filled with playmakers like cornerback Marlin Jackson, there are some holes.\nThe Hoosiers can win this game, but they will need to do many things well. First and foremost, the play calling needs to be improved, and the team needs to be a second-half team. But above all, the Hoosiers need to come into this game angry, and I'm not talking about the kind of angry like you're angry because the coach told you to be. I'm talking about the feeling I have when I watch the Buckeyes play the Wolverines. A feeling so deep and rich that the words I'd like to use to describe it can't be printed. I can only hope that somehow the Wolverine marching band will be left behind.