Michael Barrett on flipping rivalry with Ohio State: 'It's good to be on top'

The Michigan Wolverines will renew their rivalry with the hated Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor. Graduate sixth-year linebacker Michael Barrett has seen wins and losses in this rivalry, making him one of the few Wolverines who knows what it’s like to not take care of business in The Game.

Barrett, who joined the program in 2018, is 2-2 in games against the Buckeyes. Saturday is the rubber match, and on Tuesday night he pinpointed the reason the rivalry has flipped in favor of the Wolverines over the last two seasons.

“I would just say heart honestly, kind of coming down to preparation,” Barrett said. “When you get in those moments, I mean, you’ve got two great programs going head to head, and when you get in those moments of who wants it more, you just have to have that heart.

“It has got to be built into you and I feel like over the past couple of years, we’ve just kind of been building that and stacking those pillars. Stacking every day and just kind of preparing that. That preparation kind of builds that confidence, which builds that heart and that courage.

“I feel like that’s kind of where that goes into.”

Barrett’s first two games against the Buckeyes were lopsided defeats – a 63-39 loss in Columbus in 2018 and a 56-27 loss in Ann Arbor in 2019. The Game did not not take place in 2020 due to COVID-19 cases within the Michigan football program.

Since then, Michigan has owned the rivalry by a margin of 87-50 over the last two years. Barrett himself was responsible for planting a flag at midfield in Columbus last year.

“It’s amazing,” Barrett said. “Just kind of seeing, just being a part of the ups and downs, being here for the lows and watching the upturn, it’s been a great experience to be a part of it. It’s just kind of experience. See the ins and outs and the highs and lows.

“It’s good to be on top, honestly. It’s been a learning experience to see everything kind of go on, but, it feels good to finally turn that top.”

Barrett and Michigan know there is a huge target on their back as two-time defending Big Ten champions. The stakes are always high in this one, but allegations of cheating from Michigan have dominated headlines in recent weeks with much of the bluster coming from Columbus.

Barrett knows they are going to get OSU’s best shot, especially with how the last two years have gone.

“We’re gonna get everyone’s best game,” Barrett said. “We just knew kind of where we were at the end of last year and where we want to end up being this year and have been staying consistent. Really just that consistency with whatever we’re doing, not getting too high, not letting the hype of the game or hype of whatever’s going on or the stress get to us.

“I just kind of preach that consistency. That’s just not where we want to be. I know they haven’t really felt that before, but I have and just I’m trying to show it through myself, showing through my experiences and things like that. Keeping them going, keeping them consistent, keeping them energized during practice, making sure we’re all on our P’s and Q’s and attacking every day.”

Even with the raised temperature of the rivalry over the last few years, Barrett has maintained respect for the rival Buckeyes. But when it’s time to play the game, there is no love lost.

“I have a lot of respect for them, their program, their coaches, their players,” Barrett said. “They have a lot of great, great coaches and great players always. They’re always going to play tough. They always have a great receiving corps, great skill players, great O-line. Nothing but respect for them. Whenever (that time) comes, it’s a rivalry.

“Whenever we’re on that field together, there are no friends at that moment. But nothing but respect (for them).”