Ohio State Star WR Refuses to Say 'Michigan' in Rivalry Rant

Carnell Tate doubles down on his disdain for the Buckeyes' biggest foe.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:21pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, with overlapping planes of scarlet, gray, maize, and blue representing the intense rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan on the football field.The heated Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is distilled into a fragmented, cubist depiction of the two teams clashing on the gridiron.Columbus Today

Former Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, a projected first-round NFL Draft pick, made it clear during a recent interview that he has no love for the Buckeyes' heated rival, the Michigan Wolverines. Tate refused to even say the word 'Michigan,' referring to them only as 'the team up North.'

Why it matters

The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is one of the fiercest in all of college sports, with the two programs battling for Big Ten and national supremacy year after year. Tate's comments underscore just how deep the animosity runs between the two schools, especially for a star player like himself who has experienced the rivalry firsthand.

The details

Tate helped the Buckeyes defeat Michigan 27-9 last season, catching five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. He is in line to become the latest Ohio State wide receiver selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, continuing the program's reputation for producing elite pass-catchers. Tate revealed he chose the Buckeyes over offers from other top programs like LSU and Alabama because of his relationship with receivers coach Brian Hartline and Ohio State's track record of developing NFL talent.

  • Tate made the comments during an appearance on 'The Rich Eisen Show' this week.

The players

Carnell Tate

A former Ohio State wide receiver who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Brian Hartline

The wide receivers coach at Ohio State, who Tate credited as a key factor in his decision to join the Buckeyes.

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What they’re saying

“'The team up North,' Tate said. 'That just shows you what the rivalry means to us and what it means to y'all. You can use words with the letter M, we just don't use that particular name.'”

— Carnell Tate, Former Ohio State Wide Receiver

What’s next

Tate and the Buckeyes will look to continue their dominance over Michigan when the two teams meet later this year. Ohio State has won 18 of the last 22 matchups between the rivals.

The takeaway

Tate's refusal to even say the name 'Michigan' underscores the deep-seated animosity that exists between the two programs. As one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country, Tate's comments will only add fuel to the fire of this storied rivalry.