The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State has always been one of the fiercest in all of sports, but when a coach who spent years on one side suddenly switches allegiances and fires a shot across enemy lines, the flames only grow hotter. That is exactly what has happened with Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford, who recently left Ohio State after serving as a key recruiter and position coach for the Buckeyes for nearly a decade. His surprising move to Michigan in March sent shockwaves across the Big Ten, and now, with his first public comments since the switch, Alford has left no doubt about where his loyalties lie. In a statement that has already ignited both fan bases, Alford boldly declared, “We’re better,” in reference to Michigan’s program compared to Ohio State.
To understand the gravity of this statement, one has to understand the context. Tony Alford was more than just another coach in Columbus. He was a vital part of Ohio State’s recruiting success and had built strong relationships with players, families, and high school coaches around the country. He was instrumental in bringing in star running backs and helping Ohio State maintain its national standing as one of college football’s most dominant programs. His sudden departure to Ann Arbor was not just seen as a staff change—it was viewed as a defection to the enemy, a betrayal in the eyes of many Buckeyes fans.
Now that Alford has openly claimed that Michigan is the superior program, the rivalry has added another chapter that goes far beyond the players on the field. For Michigan, his words are a rallying cry. For Ohio State, they are salt in an open wound. And for college football as a whole, this is the kind of drama that fuels storylines for the entire season.
Alford’s claim that “we’re better” carries weight because, in recent years, Michigan has in fact gained the upper hand in the rivalry. After years of Ohio State dominance, Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines flipped the script, beating the Buckeyes in three straight seasons from 2021 through 2023. Those wins helped Michigan secure Big Ten titles and multiple appearances in the College Football Playoff, including a national championship run. The momentum has undeniably shifted in Michigan’s favor, and Alford’s statement seems to reinforce what the scoreboard has already suggested.
But this is more than just about wins and losses. This is about perception, pride, and recruiting power. By saying Michigan is better, Alford is sending a message not only to Ohio State but also to high school prospects who may be choosing between the two programs. In an era where recruiting battles can define the future of a team, such a declaration becomes ammunition. Prospects and their families listen closely to what coaches say, and hearing a former Ohio State insider claim Michigan is the stronger program could sway decisions. Alford knows this, and he also knows that his words will resonate deeply in the living rooms where the next generation of talent is deciding their futures.
Ohio State, of course, will not take this lightly. Ryan Day and his staff are well aware that Alford’s move was already a blow, but his public comments only add to the sense of urgency. Day has been under immense pressure following losses to Michigan, and fans in Columbus are restless. Each loss to the Wolverines has magnified questions about whether Day can maintain Ohio State’s national dominance and whether he can reclaim bragging rights in The Game. Now, with a former trusted assistant openly proclaiming Michigan’s superiority, the challenge becomes even greater. The Buckeyes are not just battling Michigan on the field—they are fighting to restore their reputation in recruiting circles and in the minds of fans.
Alford’s confidence likely stems from Michigan’s current state of stability and success. The Wolverines have built an identity rooted in physical football, a dominant offensive line, and a defense that consistently delivers under pressure. For years, Ohio State was known as the more talented team, filled with NFL prospects and elite recruits, but Michigan has countered with toughness and execution. Alford, as a coach responsible for developing running backs, has now joined a program that has produced stars like Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum, and Donovan Edwards—backs who have not only excelled individually but also played major roles in dismantling Ohio State. To him, it may not just be talk; it may feel like a reality that Michigan’s way is indeed better.
Still, the statement “we’re better” is subjective and open to debate, which is exactly why it will stir the pot for months to come. Michigan fans will embrace it, seeing it as further validation that their program has overtaken Ohio State. They will point to recent victories, playoff success, and the fact that Michigan appears to have built a more cohesive and resilient culture. Buckeyes fans, on the other hand, will see it as trash talk from a coach who abandoned them and will use it as motivation. They will argue that Ohio State still recruits at a higher level nationally, continues to produce NFL talent at an unmatched pace, and remains in the hunt for championships every year.
This is where the beauty of rivalries lies: in the debate, the back-and-forth, and the emotional investment of millions of fans. Alford’s comments have elevated the stakes, ensuring that the next Michigan-Ohio State game will carry even more intensity than usual. Players will hear about this. Fans will chant about it. Media will replay it. By the time the two teams meet again, “we’re better” will be part of the narrative driving both sides.
It is worth noting that Alford’s decision to make such a statement is also reflective of the confidence within Michigan’s program right now. Winning has given them leverage, and they are not afraid to use it. Harbaugh’s tenure has not always been smooth, but his ability to finally topple Ohio State and build a national champion has shifted the balance of power. For a long time, Michigan was the one chasing Ohio State. Now, at least for the moment, the Wolverines are in the driver’s seat. Alford’s words are symbolic of that shift.
The move also raises questions about how Ohio State will respond on the recruiting trail. Will they downplay Alford’s comments, or will they use them as motivation to double down on their own pitch? Coaches in Columbus will no doubt remind recruits of Ohio State’s storied history, its unmatched consistency, and its ability to send players to the NFL year after year. They will frame Alford as a traitor, someone who cannot be trusted, and they will argue that his words are meant to cover up for the fact that Michigan still lags behind in certain areas. The battle for hearts and minds is every bit as important as the battle on the field, and Alford has just thrown fuel on the fire.
From a broader college football perspective, this story underscores just how much the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry means. It is not just about geography or tradition; it is about identity, pride, and the constant struggle for supremacy in the sport. When coaches and players switch sides, it becomes personal. When those same figures take shots at their former team, it becomes explosive. College football thrives on this kind of drama, and Alford’s comments will keep fans buzzing all season long.
There is also a psychological element at play. By saying “we’re better,” Alford is planting a seed of doubt within Ohio State’s camp. He is challenging their players, coaches, and fans to prove otherwise. Rivalries are often decided by fine margins, and confidence can be a deciding factor. If Michigan players truly believe they are the better team, they will play with an edge. If Ohio State players feel disrespected, they will fight harder to prove themselves. Either way, the outcome will be influenced by the mindset created through these words.
At the same time, Alford must back up his talk with results. It is one thing to say Michigan is better, but it is another to maintain that edge over time. Rivalries are cyclical, and Ohio State is too talented and too proud to stay down for long. If the Buckeyes find a way to reclaim dominance, Alford’s comments will be thrown back at him mercilessly. That is the risk of bold statements: they can inspire confidence, but they can also serve as bulletin board material for the opponent.
Ultimately, Alford’s declaration is about more than just Michigan vs. Ohio State—it is about the constant struggle for power and respect in college football. Programs rise and fall, coaches come and go, but the rivalries remain. Alford has simply added another unforgettable moment to the long history of The Game, one that fans will remember long after he has moved on. Whether Michigan truly is “better” will not be decided by words, but by results on the field. Until then, the debate will rage on, fueled by one coach’s decision to take a very public shot at his old team.
In the end, Tony Alford has made his stance clear. He is no longer a Buckeye. He is a Wolverine now, and he is not afraid to embrace that identity fully. By declaring “we’re better,” he has ensured that the rivalry he once coached on one side of now burns brighter than ever. For Michigan, it is a sign of confidence. For Ohio State, it is a challenge. For fans and the world of college football, it is pure drama, the kind that makes this sport unlike any other. And come the next clash between these two titans, every snap will feel like the embodiment of Alford’s words—because in a rivalry like this, it is never just a game. It is a battle for pride, for history, and for the right to say, once and for all, who is truly better.
