Devin Gardner Consoled J.T. Barrett Alongside Ohio State Staff [PHOTO]

By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins

"The Game" between Michigan and Ohio State has long been considered one of the top rivalries in all of sports. Sure, the late-November matchup has lost some luster lately -- mainly due to Michigan's woes -- but the game always seems close (i.e. the last four seasons) and it seems to still mean something.

Devin Gardner, a fifth-year senior, is no stranger to "The Game," he's started at quarterback for Michigan the last three seasons against the Buckeyes. An unranked Michigan team lost all three of those matchups, but only lost by an average of 6.7 points to Ohio State which had an average national ranking of No. 4.

Gardner showed an admirable display of support for rival Buckeye quarterback J.T. Barrett when Barrett went down in the fourth quarter with a season-ending ankle injury on Saturday.

Even the Buckeyes took notice.

Gardner was side-by-side with the Ohio State staff sending good thoughts to his Buckeye counterpart before Barrett was carted off the field.

Say what you want about this rivalry, this was a tremendous display of character and sportsmanship from a player who has had a rocky -- at best -- career in college football.

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• Big Ten