The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry has always been a bubbling cauldron of antagonism, bitterness and dislike — maybe even hate.

The Game’s iconic and enduring moments include but certainly are not limited to Ohio State pulling down Michigan’s beloved “Go Blue” banner in 1973; a shoving match between David Boston and Charles Woodson in 1997; and Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes going for two at the end of blowout in 1968 because he couldn’t go for three. (To be fair, it’s unclear Hayes actually said that.)

This year, with scandal swirling around the third-ranked Wolverines and the second-ranked Buckeyes being blamed by many Michigan fans for their team’s predicament, all the negative feelings seem to be amplified heading into Saturday’s showdown in Ann Arbor.

The mutual respect that has been a pillar of what is arguably college football’s greatest rivalry appears to be lacking these days — even among the coaches.

“People in Michigan think Ohio State is behind it, but what facts do they have? They don’t. On the other side, Ohio State is trying to diminish what Michigan has done the last two years by saying Michigan cheated,” Woodson told AP. “There are just a lot of insults being hurled back and forth as there always have been — and sometimes blows.”

To suggest any Michigan-Ohio State game is the biggest or most consequential in the history of the 118-game rivalry is a stretch.

“It’s not a big week. It’s not a big month. It’s not a big game. It’s a way of life,” was how former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer explained Ohio State-Michigan on the Big Ten Network this week.

The Game almost always settles the Big Ten, often has national championship implications and because of the storied histories of its competitors is routinely dripping with storylines.

Notre Dame looking to avenge last year

Some losses are disappointing.

Others are so head-scratching people start asking questions.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman learned that lesson the hard way last fall when his team suffered such an inexplicable loss to Stanford that fans and analysts openly wondered if Freeman was the right man for the job.

On Saturday, the second-year coach and the 17th-ranked Fighting Irish will have a chance to reverse course when they visit the Cardinal for the rematch.

“For many of the guys that were here last year, I understand how disappointing that loss was for them, and there won’t be a lack of motivation this week,” Freeman said.

Stanford (3-8) is rebuilding after longtime head coach David Shaw stepped down after last season. New coach Troy Taylor has endured an up-and-down first season.

The Cardinal has struggled on offense, producing a sparse 350.7 yards per game (92nd out of 133 FBS programs), while the defense allows 456.3 yards (130th). Yet it has still managed to beat Colorado and Washington State and stayed close against No. 4 Washington (No. 4 CFP) and No. 16 Arizona (No. 15).