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Michigan ‘disrespected’ Ohio State, The Game in 2018, Urban Meyer says
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Ohio State’s 2018 victory over Michigan might’ve been Urban Meyer’s favorite. Even though the victory didn’t result in a College Football Playoff berth, it was incredibly satisfying for the former Buckeye head coach.
It wasn’t just because it was the final game against Michigan, or that it was a convincing 62-39 victory. No, Meyer appreciates the win a little more because of how he felt the Wolverines “disrespected” the Buckeyes that season.
At the time, Michigan defensive lineman Chase Winovich coined the phrase “Revenge Tour,” lumping teams like Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State in the same group as Ohio State. Shirts were even made for adopted UM motto for 2018.
The week of The Game, running back Karan Higdon was asked if he’d guarantee a win over Ohio State, to which he responded, “Yeah, I would.”
To Meyer, the “Revenge Tour” motto and Higdon’s guarantee were disrespectful to Ohio State and to the rivalry. And it still bugs him to this day. He detailed it in an interview with Dom Tiberi of 10TV.
“I can’t believe that,” Meyer said about Michigan players arriving in Columbus in “Revenge Tour” shirts. “That was a great team. That was probably their best team. The 2016 team they had was outstanding, too. Their defense was lights out. When I saw one of their players guarantee a win, I couldn’t believe I watched that. The running back.
“Players actually told me, ‘Coach, they’re wearing shirts that compare us to Wisconsin, Penn State’ whomever else. All do respect to those teams, that’s not us. That’s not The Game. I can assure you, to this day, if I ever see that out of an Ohio State player, to me that’s absolute disrespect. …I don’t want to go backwards, but absolutely [it was disrespectful].”
It was all the fuel Meyer and the Buckeyes needed to post a convincing home victory over Michigan. It clinched another B1G East title for Ohio State, and a week later, the Bucks went on to claim another B1G title.
Ohio State rounded out the year with a win over Washington in the Rose Bowl, Meyer’s first trip to Pasadena.
There were several great moments for Meyer in The Game and several meaningful victories in the series. But 2018 was apparently the one he’ll enjoy the most.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB