It's not really surprising, I guess, that big time college football programs are run by big time babies, but it's always a little shocking to see it laid so bare. On Tuesday, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith took a thinly veiled shot at his rival Michigan when talking to reporters about the Wolverines' recent trip to Florida for spring practice. It had a decidedly "Spring Break" vibe to the whole thing, which was a little strange, but so is Jim Harbaugh. Smith said he'd consider a similar trip if "we were jump-starting our program," but Ohio State is "in a different place," so they don't need to pull stunts like that, he seemed to imply. Ohio State, you see, won the National Championship in 2014 and were in the running to make the College Football Playoff this year until the bitter end. Michigan…is not there, yet. But because Jim Harbaugh is such a psychopath, there's a lot of excitement around the program.Speaking of Harbs, when word trickled back to him that Gene Smith had taken a tiny little shot across the bow, he went on Twitter and returned fire, referencing the tattoo and memorabilia scandal that saw the eventual resignation of the sweater vest himself, Jim Tressel in 2011.
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Pretty sick burn, Harbs. But we're not done. We're never done on Twitter. In comes former Buckeyes running back and prospective NFL draftee Ezekiel Elliott with the ultimate "scoreboard" retort, posting a picture of himself after a touchdown run in Ohio State's 42-13 win over the Wolverines last November.Good to see Director Smith being relevant again after the tattoo fiasco. Welcome back!
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) March 23, 2016
I'm not sure Elliott needed to do this—I'd say a 2014 National Championship is pretty relevant, wouldn't you?—but, man am I glad he did. Of course, now that everyone has had their tantrums, the adults came in and made them apologize for the pissing contest.@CoachJim4UM Welcome to the big house coach. Better luck next time pic.twitter.com/TKrXfEthH8
— EzekielElliott#⃣1⃣5⃣ (@EzekielElliott) March 23, 2016
STATEMENT: My comments at a soccer press conference yesterday were not meant to discredit our rival. I apologize to …
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— gene smith (@OSU_AD) March 23, 2016
This is a fine apology from Smith, I just wish he had emphasized that it was The greatest rivalry in collegiate football.…UM student-athletes & my good friend Warde Manuel. We at OSU look forward to continuing the greatest rivalry in collegiate football.
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— gene smith (@OSU_AD) March 23, 2016