This romanticized view ignores how modern roster building actually strengthens rivalries by raising the stakes every single year. Michigan's sustained success, including a national championship, is built on integrating elite portal talent like Olu Oluwatimi with homegrown stars, creating a more competitive product. The idea that you need four-year starters to forge hatred is outdated. Ask any Ohio State fan if they cared less about beating Michigan last year because some Wolverines were transfers. The rivalry was more intense than ever because both teams were elite, constructed through multiple avenues. The portal and NIL haven't gutted loyalty, they've empowered players while forcing programs to develop culture faster. If your team's identity evaporates with annual roster turnover, that's a coaching failure, not a system flaw. Michigan's identity under Jim Harbaugh was never about just the players, it was about the standard. The 2023 defense, a mix of transfers and long-term players, finished top five nationally in scoring defense. That unit cultivated plenty of contempt from opponents. The game isn't about knowing a quarterback's journey against Missouri S&T, it's about winning championships. The emotional connection now comes from watching a cohesive unit, regardless of origin, achieve those goals. The sport's soul is in the competition, not in nostalgia for bus rides.