Ohio Guv Takes Stand Against Jim Harbaugh's Pants

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How deep does the Michigan-Ohio rivalry run?

It’s deep enough that on Friday, a day before No. 10 University of Michigan and No. 8 Ohio State meet in Ann Arbor, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has taken a stand against Wolverines Coach Jim Harbaugh’s pants.

In a proclamation Friday, Kasich encouraged Ohioans to show support for the Buckeyes by avoiding khakis — Harbaugh’s “pleated sense of style … reportedly purchased at Walmart for $8 a pair” — “on this and every day.”

Style-conscious Ohioans may have no trouble complying and may indeed agree that the trousers are a “dull, earthly garment” reminiscent of “guys standing around, being very casual and witty on a front porch in a 1991 Dockers commercial.”

But the guv also asks residents not to use the letter “M,” which could prove more difficult when the Wolverines host the Buckeyes at Ann Arbor on “Scarlet Letter Saturday.”

Kasich led the way, though, striking through letter m in his proclamation.

Of course, Harbaugh may have asked for it.

He smashed a buckeye, the kind that fall off trees, in front of the grave of longtime Wolverines coach Bo Schembechler — an Ohio native who, Kasich noted, at least had a sense of style with his “timeless hat.”

Saturday’s game starts at noon ET and is broadcast on ABC.

Below, read Kasich’s tweet and proclamation.