By: MATT MARKEY (ToledoBlade.com) — COLUMBUS — The Ohio State-Michigan week is a time of orchestrated civility. It is a time when the players and coaches from both sides slobber with compliments about the opposition. No jawing, no trash talking, and no calling anyone out.

But former coaches are not bound by these Marquess of Queensberry rules. They have tenure, and a healthy pension, so they are more prone to exercise free speech on hot button topics. Around the halls and locker rooms at Ohio State, that means Earle Bruce becomes a fire-and-brimstone evangelist, much to the delight of the Buckeyes.

“Hurricane Bruce rolled in last night and spoke to the team, and that brings a lot of energy,” Ohio State senior offensive lineman Jim Cordle said earlier this week, describing the fist-pounding and veins-bulging-out-of-the-neck speech delivered by the former Ohio State coach.

“He’s always funny, but this year he came in and he was kind of somber. The hurricane hadn’t boiled up quite yet,” Cordle said.

Bruce, who coached the Buckeyes from 1979 to 1987 and was 5-4 against Michigan, told the players he grows roses in his garden, and brought a bouquet along to signify the Rose Bowl bid that Ohio State has already secured. Then he slammed his fist on the table and reminded the players that they will be judged by the Michigan game, so they should forget the roses until after Saturday.

“I always like to talk to young people and talk about football. I don’t know what good I do,” said Bruce, who went 81-26-1 at Ohio State and has remained active in the community and close to the program. “I’ve probably seen more Ohio State football than anyone, since 1949. I get to speak about what’s been done. I love the Michigan game. It’s the greatest rivalry in college football.”

The traditional Michigan week address by Bruce never grows old, according to fifth-year senior linebacker….

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