Frank Robertson's Blog

The hype surrounding Saturday's showdown between Number 1 Ohio State and Number 2 Michigan is suddenly tempered by the passsing of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler. Or, does it add another emotional dimension?

Whatever the implications, the passing of Coach Schembechler stirs a lot of memories for me. Bo graduated from and later coached at Miami of Ohio. Miami is a long standing rival of my alma mater, Ohio University. In fact, our General Manager Bob Linger, Account Executive Glenn Marsh and Director Ron Mullen are all proud Bobcats.

Well under the radar is the fact that Ohio University has clinched a spot in the Mid American Conference Championship game on November 30th. Ohio has one remaining regular season game at (where else?) Miami of Ohio. A win there would complete a 9 and 3 season.

Regardless of the outcome, Ohio is virtually guaranteed its first bowl appearance in 38 years. In the fall of 1968, Ohio completed a 10 and 0 regular season before losing in the Tangerine Bowl to the University of Richmond. At the same time, the Ohio State Buckeyes completed a perfect regular season and claimed the national championship with a victory over Southern California in the Rose Bowl.

The coach at Miami of Ohio during that season of '68 was Bo Schembechler. The next year Coach Schembechler would take over at the University of Michigan and another dimension was added to that great rivalry as Bo and his mentor Woody Hayes became the focus of the annual Big 10 showdown.

So, if you believe in history repeating itself, Ohio University's first bowl appearance since '68 may also signal another national championship for the Buckeyes.