Jim Tressel on Ohio State vs. Michigan: 'The Buckeyes will make us proud in Ann Arbor'
Jim Tressel made a strong first impression on Ohio State fans.
At halftime of the Buckeyes' men's basketball matchup against Michigan Jan. 18, 2001, the newly-hired Ohio State football coach took the microphone and told the crowd that they would "be proud of our young people in the classroom, in the community, and, most especially, in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan," launching a streak of 17 Ohio State wins in 19 tries against the Wolverines.
According to the Toledo Blade's David Briggs, Tressel said this impromptu speech had been what he had been thinking during the interview process, making it clear how important the Michigan rivalry was to him.
And now, Tressel is giving Ohio State fans a similar pep talk.
“There’s no question,” Tressel told the Toledo Blade, “that I think the Buckeyes will make us proud in Ann Arbor.”
Want to play as Ohio State football? Want to play as Ohio State? EA Sports to have players' likeness in 2024 college football game
Damon Arnette faces felony charges: Former Ohio State football player Damon Arnette faces felony weapon, assault charges
After eight consecutive wins against Michigan under coaches Urban Meyer and Ryan Day from 2012-19, Ohio State has lost two straight games against the Wolverines in 2021 and 2022, coming off its first home loss against Michigan since 2000.
Heading into the 2023 season, Tressel calls on Ohio State to "go up (to Ann Arbor) and turn it in the other direction."
“I've really grown to be a believer, whether it’s a society, a family, or a football team, until you suffer a little bit, it’s hard to learn lessons,” Tressel said. “Now, we've suffered. I tell people all the time, the strength of our 2002 national championship team was that they were done suffering. They'd been 6-6, 8-4, 7-5. They’d had it. They weren’t going to lose. ... Michigan might have suffered a long time, and maybe they felt like they've suffered enough. We’re all allowed to learn lessons. It’s not just the Buckeyes. Now I think you’re going to see a real square-off, and I’ve got confidence in the Buckeyes.”
In his 10 seasons as Ohio State's football coach, Tressel lost to Michigan only once: a 35-21 loss to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor to end the 2003 regular season. In each of the Buckeyes' other matchups against Michigan under Tressel, Ohio State out-scored the Wolverines 258-172, including Ohio State's vacated win in 2010.
Michigan currently holds the series advantage over Ohio State with a record of 60-51-6 against the Buckeyes, an advantage Tressel wants to see flipped.
“One of my goals in life is to live long enough to see us over .500 in the all-time series against Michigan,” he said.
Ohio State will end its 2023 regular season against Michigan in Ann Arbor at noon Nov. 25.
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jim Tressel has high hopes for Ohio State vs. Michigan in 2023
