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Rutgers coach Chris Ash spoke Monday at Big Ten media days.

(John Munson | NJ.com)

CHICAGO -- One of the biggest social media back-and-forth storylines this offseason was the budding fan angst between Rutgers and Michigan.

Mainly from Rutgers, directed toward Ann Arbor.

Rutgers supporters were not happy about Jim Harbaugh's presence in New Jersey in June for a satellite camp at Paramus Catholic. A group threw teddy bears on a practice field and sent Harbaugh a cryptic message.

Rutgers coach Chris Ash wasn't happy about it either, scheduling his own camp across town on the same day.

Ash took the podium Monday during his first Big Ten media days appearance in downtown Chicago and was asked about that "fan rivalry." And, as far as football goes, he says it doesn't exist.

Not right now anyway.

"I'll start by saying there's no rivalry with Michigan yet," Ash said with a chuckle Monday. "They've done some things we have not been able to do and I think it's great that fans get a chance in the offseason to talk about college football and have fun with college football.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach Harbaugh and the job he's done at Michigan and the program they've had for several years. We're going to work the best that we can here at Rutgers to create rivalries with everybody we play."

Michigan and Rutgers have played twice since the Scarlet Knights officially joined the Big Ten in 2014.

The Wolverines lost at Rutgers, 26-24, in 2014 -- Brady Hoke's final season as the team's head coach. A year ago at Michigan Stadium, Harbaugh's first Wolverine squad scored a 49-16 over Rutgers at Michigan Stadium.

The most notable moment of that game came in the second half when Harbaugh went for two to go up 43-16.

Either way, the Michigan-Rutgers rivalry doesn't exist right now. But Ash says he's happy his fans are showing some passion.

"It's great that the fans are involved and care and are passionate about what we do at Rutgers," he said.