On Saturday night at 7:00 the Washington Wizards will take on the Portland Trail Blazers in the Verizon Center. Seven hours prior to that game the Wizards Phil Hubbard, Randy Ayers and Ernest Eugene will have another game to focus on, as for the 104th time in their distinguished rivalry The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Michigan Wolverines.

"It is the third week of every Saturday in November at noon," said Coach Ayers. "Nothing has changed – the time is always the same and the rivalry stands alone."

For Ayers and Eugene the connection to Ohio State is strong even though neither attended Ohio State for undergraduate school. Ayers coached at Ohio State for 14 years, leading the Bucks to multiple Big 10 titles, while Eugene worked as an athletic trainer on the 2002 Ohio State National Championship team. While Eugene was a latecomer to the rivalry, (Hubbard tells the story that Eugene "doesn't even know what a Buckeye is") he has quickly learned the number one rule of being a Buckeye fan.

"Michigan...I don't like Michigan! Go Buckeyes!"

While Eugene and Ayers (graduate of Miami of Ohio) eventually became Buckeyes later in life, Hubbard was born into the rivalry in the state of Ohio and eventually left his hometown state to attend rival Michigan. Over the past three seasons Hubbard and Michigan fans have had to taste defeat to Heisman Trophy Champion Troy Smith and the Buckeyes, this year, Hubbard says, will be different.

“It’s a big game, always has been a big game, I think it’s important that we get a win because they’ve had what 3 in a row? So we are due for a win and I think everyone’s looking forward to Saturday to bury the coffin.”

As is the case in many great college football rivalries a win or loss can change the thoughts and perceptions on the season, for Eugene a win on Saturday would more then make up for the unexpected loss last Saturday to Illinois.

"(Ohio State) Must win! Especially coming off of a devastating loss against Illinois," said Eugene on the importance of this game. "We have to win this game, it’s for the grand daddy of them all, it’s not for the National Championship, but it’s the Rose Bowl, and we have got to get there."

Whereas bragging rights will be on the line on Saturday, Coach Hubbard has something else in store for Eugene "when" Michigan wins.

"You know I’m going to wear all my Michigan gear in here and make him put it on. I have a hat, a sweatsuit, and a big surprise for him when we win this game.”