The Angel of Ann Arbor

"We're guaranteed to win if 16 can't play."

That's a text I received during the 3rd quarter of the 2017 Michigan game, from a friend I've known since forever. He knew I had no tolerance for J.T. Barrett slander. I always felt Barrett's critics were misguided, especially after what he did to Penn State a month earlier.

This friend knew better. I'm at peak fragility during The Game, let alone while the toughest guy on the team and one of the program's greatest leaders is being gingerly peeled off the field by medical staff. Against Michigan. Again.

I can barely hold a conversation while the Buckeyes are playing the Wolverines, so I generally avoid having them. His text did not merit a response.…