Sports Illustrated named Ohio State vs. Michigan college football’s greatest rivalry several years ago. Rolling Stone would approve.

The Hate Michigan Rally will rock Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio on November 17, the evening before the rivals-who are both undefeated and a respective first and second in the BCS poll-battle for a likely berth in the national championship game.

The Dead Schembechlers, the show’s headliner, seem a little paranoid in their hatred of the Wolverines. The band’s Web site has a conspiracy section that, among other claims, alleges a Michigan connection to the Kennedy assassination.

However, to Buckeye fans, the self-proclaimed ‘best damn punk band in the land’ are simply eccentric geniuses. With hits like ‘Muck Fichigan’ and the ‘Buckeye Bop,’ the band, whose name is a reference to former Wolverines coach Bo Schembechler and to punk rock luminaries the Dead Kennedys, has achieved notoriety throughout Ohio.

‘We are certainly hailed rightfully as gods,’ said Bo Biafra, the lead singer of the Dead Schembechlers. ‘We are probably the greatest group of musicians ever put together in Western civilization.’

Biafra said the ‘Wolverine Hatecore’ supergroup formed in 1990 to honor its sole influence-legendary Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes. The band’s members Biafra (vocals), Bo Thunders (guitar), Bo Vicious (bass) and Bo Scabies (drums) pay homage to their late idol by dressing in the same getup as the coach.

Biafra is grateful for this year’s rally, which will prelude what is expected to be one of the most important games in the rivalries’ history.

The Newport Music Hall, located on the OSU campus, will host the performance. The 1,700-capacity venue is the largest site ever of a Hate Michigan Rally.

‘I’d be lying to you if I told you this was not a special year,’ Biafra said. ‘This is a special year. We are playing to ensure victory.’

Columbus native bands Watershed, along with 80s cover band B.A. Baracus, join the Dead Schembechlers on the concerts’ bill.

The Dead Schembechlers and Watershed have been playing at smaller Hate Michigan Rallies since the 1990s, but only three years ago did the two bands team up to put on the definitive Hate Michigan Rally festival.

Watershed bassist Joe Oestreich said he’s enjoying the reputation the rally has earned.

‘It’s hard to compete with the Dead Schembechlers,’ Oestreich said. ‘People around town are super fired up about this. (The Hate Michigan Rally) is one of those things that’s been gaining momentum for the last bunch of years.’

Both bands have big ideas for the show. Biafra plans to bite the head off of a wolverine. Oestreich hopes to have all three bands on stage for an encore that will provide one final rally cry before the game.

But anything is possible at a school of more than 50,000 students.

‘It’s already getting crazy,’ said Sean Sheehan, an OSU senior and creator of the Ohio State football Web log, The 614. ‘Every year it’s pretty crazy and if it’s going to be No. 1 vs. No. 2, I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like.’

He said the existence of a band such as the Dead Schembechlers is ‘a testament to how big the rivalry is.’

Sheehan said the band has various well-written songs. He particularly enjoys the song ‘Ted Ginn Did Everythin’,’ a song that tells the tale of how the Bucks speedy receiver single-handedly built the pyramids and tore down the Berlin Wall-among other superhuman feats.

Ultimately, all Buckeyes fans want is a victory over the Maize and Blue, but the excitement building up to the game will make this year’s Hate Michigan Rally one audience members will never forget.

‘It’s building to what feels like is going to be a powder keg,’ Biafra said. ‘The blood of wolverines will be spilled.’

LEVIN’S LOCKS

No. 3 West Virginia (+1.5) at No. 5 Louisville

Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Who’s ready for some Thursday Night Football? No team will scrutinize the Ohio State-Michigan game more closely than the winner of this game. The Mountaineers speedy backfield runs all over a battered and worn out Cardinals team on their march toward a BCS championship.

Pick: West Virginia 37, Louisville 24

No. 13 LSU (-2) at No. 8 Tennessee

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS

Just one season after missing a bowl, the Vols look brilliant. Although LSU has sustained two losses in the gauntlet-like SEC, the Tigers are also a talented team. The rivals will rock Rocky Top, but UT emerges victorious.

Pick: Tennessee 30, LSU 23

Penn State (+7) at No. 17 Wisconsin

Saturday, noon, ABC

Some advice to Big 10 schedule makers: Wisconsin does not have off years, so never let the Badgers go a season without playing Ohio State. Instead Wisconsin clinches third in the conference by defeating the most extraordinary of the ordinary Big 10 opponents that Wisconsin has remaining.

Pick: Wisconsin 27, Penn State 21

No. 16 Boston College (-4) at No. 22 Wake Forest

Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Each week a new team leads the ACC Atlantic Division. Even the usually dismal Demon Deacons control their own destiny. Still, the Deacs aren’t ready to take the next step as BC moves closer to ACC glory.

Pick: Boston College 24, Wake Forest 16

No. 18 Oklahoma (-2.5) at No. 21 Texas A&M

Saturday, 2 p.m., ABC

The Aggies are a surprising up-and-comer in the Big 12. Coach Dennis Franchione was almost fired at the end of last year. Now, A&M can win the Big 12 South with victories over perennial powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas. The dream dies Saturday.

Pick: Oklahoma 28, Texas A&M 24

Published on October 29, 2006 at 12:00 pm