They’re doing the happy dance in Ann Arbor on Tuesday morning. And that’s perfectly fine, because the news that Urban Meyer is retiring at Ohio State is huge.

It changes everything in the Big Ten. And Michigan is the biggest benefactor.

Like the old saying goes, if you can’t beat him, then be thrilled he’s gone. There’s really nothing wrong with that. Urban Meyer was the best thing that’s happened to Ohio State in years, and in conjunction, he’s been the worst thing that’s happened to Michigan.

And now it’s over.

Ryan Day is taking over for Meyer at Ohio State. He’s their offensive coordinator, and he was the interim coach for the first three game this season when Meyer was suspended for his mishandling of he Zach Smith domestic violence situation.

That’s the best thing that could have ever happened to Michigan. If Ohio State had opened up its search, it probably would have had its pick of the best coaches in America. Instead, they chose Ryan Day.

Yes, Ryan Day.

It’s a little over two weeks until the first National Signing Day. There are still several key recruits who have been interested in both Michigan and Ohio State. Before they sign on the dotted line on Dec. 19, they’re likely going to get a visit from both Harbaugh and Day.

C’mon, Michigan fans. Don’t you think Harbaugh is going to win more of those battles? Probably, and we couldn’t have said that if Meyer was still in the picture.

Look, Michigan closed the gap on Ohio State this year, but then simply laid an egg in the Nov. 24 showdown. That was obviously very unfortunate, but Michigan is really ready to contend for Big Ten titles. So Meyer stepping aside is huge.

That’s an edge, no question.

Meyer was 85-9 at Ohio State, good for a 90.5 winning percentage. He has won a national championship at Ohio State, and he’s won three Big Ten titles and earned another Playoff spot in a year  they didn’t win it.

And now, with him gone, that’s all about to change.

Change is coming to Ohio State, and it changes the landscape in the Big Ten completely. If you don’t think it can get ugly fast — or at least not as pretty as it’s been — following Meyer’s departure, just ask all those Florida fans what it’s been like after he left Gainesville. It’s been nothing but teeth-gnashing and spitting since he left. And no titles, either. That could happen at Ohio State as well.

Michigan will lose several key players in the offseason — that happens every year —  but they have plenty of talent coming back next year, so much so that they probably would have been the favorite in the Big Ten next year even if Meyer had stayed.

It’s a no-brainer now.

They key is whether Shea Patterson stays in Ann Arbor for another season. The Ole Miss transfer could turn pro, but he’s probably a mid-round pick at best in 2018 and it’s probably best if he returns for another season under Jim Harbaugh to improve his draft stock. He hasn’t said anything about it yet, but there are plenty of indications to think his return is just a formality.

When he transferred to Michigan in the first place, it was with the 2019 season in mind anyway, because there was a 50-50 chance at best that the NCAA would grant his request to not sit out of a year after transferring. He got his wish, but it would be surprising to see him walk away from the Wolverines a year early, especially the way everyone in Ann Arbor has embraced him — players, fans and coaches alike.

Throw in the fact that they have a great receiving corps coming back and their best offensive lineman, Ben Brederson, has already said they’re returning. This could be a potent group.

He knows Michigan could be scary good next year.

“We’ve got a lot of weapons.  I mean, look at our receiving corps,” Bredeson said. “They’re all 19 years old. Next year, they’ll be another year older — bigger, stronger. They’ll get another full year, especially with Shes here. I haven’t talked to him or anything, but I assume he would be. They’ll get a full year working with each other — it will be really good.”

Especially if Patterson stays, Michigan should be a viable threat to win the Big Ten and earn a College Football Playoff spot. It’s very possible that Michigan could run the table next year. They have nonconference games with Middle Tennessee and Army, which shouldn’t an issue, and a massive rematch with Notre Dame on Oct. 26.

That game is in Ann Arbor, which is huge and will likely have massive Playoff implications again. They also get Ohio State (Nov. 30) and Michigan State (Nov. 16) at home, and their toughest Big Ten West game, probably Iowa, is also at home (Oct. 5).

The Big Ten champion has been left out of the Playoff for three years in a row now. You think that committee could leave out Michigan next year? I doubt that. With Meyer out of the picture, this is Michigan’s time to pounce.

So go pounce.