Was Michigan-Ohio State really a classic?

I ask because I worked that day and didn't see it, but I plan to watch tonight on ESPN Classic -- because apparently it became an "Instant Classic." The folks in my market tell me the game wasn't as close as the score suggests, that the last Michigan touchdown was meaningless, that it was really an 11-point game, that it didn't live up to the hype. True? The suggestion is it's being called a classic by those who want a rematch or who think these are the best two teams in the country, but other people say no.

I'm sure this has been debated on other threads a bit, but was this game really a classic, or just a high-profile game because of the context, but one that really doesn't measure up?

 

If this is a classic, then so is Super Bowl XVI.

Super Bowl XVI was only close because the Bengals scored in the final minute.

 

hell yeah it was classic. OSU was up like 28-7 at half, and then Michigan fought back to bring it closer. i think they lost by 7 or something, but i was amazed on how OSU was getting destroyed for good bit of the second half.

 

It wasn't a "classic" but I wouldn't say it wasn't close. That Michigan touchdown wasn't meaningless because if Michigan would've recovered the onside kick, they would've had a chance to tie or win the game. There was also that dumb penalty with around 9 minutes left by Shawn Crable on Troy Smith which gave OSU a 1st down inside the Michigan 20 instead of 4th 13(I think it was 13). That would've resulted in a field goal and would've given the buckeyes a 38 to 31 lead instead of 42-31.
People talk about how OSU did a great job by putting up 42 on Michigan's defense but no one talks about how Michigan put up 39 on OSU's great defense.

 

It was every bit the classic as West Virginia-Louisville.

 

true, but the helmet-to-helmet contact was b.s., if ur gonna call that, then u might as well call every other tackle, that because almost all tackles involves helmet to helmet. bad call id say, ruined Michigan's chances

 

Wasn't it a late hit? Anyways, it was still a dumb play.

 

not that i believe, but there was a late hit in that drive, i think before the helmet-to-helmet contact one

 

9 minutes until my favorite team beats Michigan for the second time in five days.

 

WAS an instant classic. Features include: the greatest play-action pass you'll see in three lifetimes, two long, splendid runs through a previously indefatigable defensive line, hits harder than Drago's that a QB shook off, Michigan putting together some really nice drives, and an Art Monk-like tippy-toe touchdown to seal it.

 

It was a very exciting game because of the offense, but OSU was leading for almost the entire game. The only time Michigan had the lead was after their first possesion TD, which OSU quickly responded to, and after that, it might have been tied one more time. Michigan's TD was basically meaninless because they would have had to recover an onside kick.

 

yeah, but still its how quickly MICHIGAN scored their first touchdown. yes i know OSU won, but MICHIGAN stunned OSU, which forced OSU to step up their game, because they knew then it wasn't goin to be a cake walk