Boren Family lives rivalry week everyday

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)-- It won’t surprise anyone that the guy with one of the most famous pictures in The Game’s recent memory is not all too pleased about the current state of The Rivalry.

"I don't think there's anything more in life that pisses me off than the way the Ohio State Michigan game has went the past couple of years,” said former Ohio State linebacker Zach Boren, whose photograph standing over former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner after a sack is now legend.

What’s also legend is how the rivalry runs through the Boren family. Both of Zach’s parents, Mike and Hope, went to Michigan with Mike playing football and Hope running track. His older brother, Justin, started his collegiate football career with the Wolverines. Then in a rare rivalry move, he transferred to Ohio State.

At that point, the Boren family tree went from maize and blue to scarlet and gray with Zach and his two younger siblings also going to Ohio State.

It’s not just Zach’s Buckeye blood that’s boiling, it’s being able to hold his head high around the holidays.

"With the in-laws being Michigan people, I'm tired of it,” Zach said. “Last year I almost dropped out of the family chat."

That’s right: a couple of years ago Zach brought the blue back into the Boren family when he married a Michigan alumna, Rachael. Their fathers played together for Bo Schembechler, and while Mike Boren has made the allegiance switch, that’s not the case for Zach’s father-in-law.

"The Boren household we are all Buckeyes, we bleed scarlet and gray,” explained Zach. “I think I have convinced my wife. I think she's finally on the Buckeyes' side, which is great. Now, the in-laws, on the other hand, are huge Michigan fans. I'm sure if things don't go as planned this year, like Thanksgiving will never be the same. And I might not even spend time with them on Thanksgiving. I don't know if I'm allowed to say that."

All joking, well maybe joking, aside, Zach knew realistically Ohio State’s victorious run over the, ahem, “victors,” had to come to an end at some point. The thing is, it’s gone on long enough.

"I thought 2021, they had their moment. It was good for the rivalry,” Zach said before rolling his eyes. “Okay, ‘22 and ‘23 has just been put a bad taste in your mouth, which I think from the Ohio State side has increased this level of just disdain for Michigan and hate that hasn't been there in a while. I know the guys over at the facility. I know the coaching staff are itching to play that game."

And itching to get things back on the right track.

It matters even more to Zach now. He has a four-month-old son, Bo, and the lines have already been drawn, even if Bo can’t draw lines himself.

"He will be in scarlet and gray one million percent,” Zach said. “This year I've got my entire reputation riding on this game. But I feel confident. I feel confident."