ANN ARBOR, Mich. — According to Accuweather, Saturday’s forecast in Ann Arbor calls for a high temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit, with the description reading ‘cloudy and cold with a little snow.’ The perception of The Game is that Michigan relishes playing in cold, inhospitable weather, while Ohio State prefers more of an SEC-type climate.
Yes, Columbus is in the Midwest, but with the complaints from several Buckeyes following the 2021 iteration of The Game, it reinforced the perception that OSU is ‘soft.’ Even after the 2023 matchup, Michigan football wide receiver Roman Wilson said as much.
In the past four years, it hasn’t been about the weather, though. It’s been about being tough and physical, of which the Wolverines have been more so. So with Ohio native running back Jordan Marshall set to get the nod against OSU, he can’t wait for the opportunity for everything to get nasty — whether it be weather, on-field demeanor, physicality, or what have you.
“I like to hit people, so hot, snow, whatever the weather is, that’s what I’m going to do,” Marshall said. “Again, I’m excited to play in a snow game. I haven’t played in a snow game since I was probably in elementary, grade school.
“Just the opportunity, where would you rather be on this Saturday? You get to play in The Big House, 30 degrees, some snow, against one of the best teams in college football, against another powerhouse school, best team in college football. Again, just all the work that I put in to be in this position and be able to go run the ball and play against Ohio State, that’s what I’m excited for. Again, this opportunity, a lot of people don’t get it, and you get to play in the best rivalry in sports.”
Marshall is coming off a shoulder injury sustained against Northwestern, but he appears to be full strength entering The Game.
What’s more to his motivation, he left The Buckeye State to head to ‘that team up north,’ despite the immense pressure to remain in-state. He had his reasons, and he isn’t shy to say why he chose Michigan over OSU.
“I really liked Tony Alford. He would probably be one of the reasons that I went there,” Marshall said. “I didn’t like a few other people, and that’s truly why I didn’t pick there. I think Coach Alford would tell you the same. He came here, and he sees the best head coach in the Big Ten, in college football, and how he carries himself and how he puts himself over the team. It’s all about culture, and that’s what I wanted to be around. I didn’t want to be around people that were about themselves, and I truly just believe that. That’s why Coach Alford came here, too. He knew that he wanted to be around better people.”
It should be noted that Marshall committed to Michigan before Alford departed Columbus, but given the rest of his statement, it appears he more so adopted the Wolverines’ mentality, even before arriving in Ann Arbor. And if he has his way and plays up to his potential, that might not be a great thing for the team in scarlet and gray on Saturday — especially considering the team that’s run the ball better in this rivalry has won The Game every year since 2000.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan RB Jordan Marshall says weather, hits won’t faze him vs. OSU
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
