OHIO STATE PREVIEW 2010

Michigan travels to Columbus after Thanksgiving, and will play the 107th meeting in the rivalry; however, it is only the 17th meeting after Thanksgiving. Michigan has played Ohio State more often than any other opponent including intrastate rival Michigan State, 107 to 103. Michigan has 27 wins in Columbus with 23 defeats and 4 ties against Ohio State. Michigan enters the game with a 7-4 record while the Buckeyes are ranked #8 nationally with a 10-1 record. Ohio State has won the last six games in a row in the series, 8 of the past 9 games, and are 17 point favorites to win this one. Michigan has not defeated Ohio State in Columbus since 2000, 38-26. For the second year in a row, Ohio State will be wearing unique uniforms fashioned by Nike in honor of their 1942 National Championship team. 24 Ohio State Seniors will be playing in their final home game.

On offense, Junior Quarterback Terrell Pryor is ranked #14 nationally in passing efficency and #25 nationally in total offense; he averages nearly 54 yards rushing per game. As a result, Ohio State's offense averages 446 yards per game leading the Big Ten in time of possession. Junior running back, Daniel "Boom" Herron averages 81 yards pergame and the Buckeye ground game averages 216 yards per game. The Buckeyes have 6 Captains for 2010, and one is backup running back Brandon Saine. Herron wears jersey #1, Pryor has #2, and Saine #3. Herron has 14 rushing TDs, Pryor has 4 and Saine 2 rushing TDs. If Michigan is to have any chance to win or keep this game close, it would be to limit the Buckeye ground attack (Herron and Pryor) under 200 yards and force Ohio State's offense into turnovers. The Ohio State offensive line is big, tough and experienced. They are led by Senior Right Guard and Captain Bryant Browning, Senior Left Guard and former Wolverine starter Justin Boren, Junior Center Mike Brewster, Junior Left Tackle Mike Adams and Junior Right Tackle J.B. Shugarts. When Pryor needs to throw, he has capable receivers in Senior Captain Dane Sanzenbacher, Junior Devier Posey and Sophomore Tight Ends Jake Stoneburner and Grosse Pointe's Reid Fragel. Blocking back is Sophomore Zach Boren. Pryor has thrown for 24 TDs with 10 interceptions. Sanzenbacher leads the receivers with 9 TDs, Posey and Saine have 5 each, Stoneburner has 2. Sanzenbacher is their possession receiver who they generally go to on 3rd down conversions while Posey is their deep threat. Watch for the Buckeye testing the Wolverine defense with screen passes to Herron and/or Saine as our other opponents have done successfully. The Buckeyes are the most dangerous offensively when they are behind as one could see in the Iowa and Penn State games, they play with more determination and effort.

Former Ohio State All-American and NFL All-Pro Linebacker Chris Spielman on the Michigan Defense

Previous 6 Years of Buckeye Offense (Smith and Pryor)=Why Michigan has not won
Year Total Offense Passing Yards TD Throws Completions Rushing Yards Rushing TDs Red Zones First Downs 3rd/4th Down Conversions Time of Possession

2009

2008

2007

2006

318

416

279

503

67

184

50

316

1

3

0

4

9/17

8/16

7/13

29/41

251

232

229

12

1

3

2

0

1

3

2

3

18

13

16

24

4 of 16

6 of 15

7 of 18

6 of 12

32:56:00

30:35:00

37:50:00

29:51:00

2005 418 300 1 27/37 37 1 3 25 6 of 12 31:39:00
2004 448 241 2 13/23 145 1 4 18 8 of 18 34:16:00
Twelve Good Game Matchups
Michigan Ohio State
Jonas Mouton Terrell Pryor
Kenny Demens Daniel "Boom" Herron
James Rogers Dane Sanzenbacher
Mike Martin Justin Boren
Courtney Avery Devier Posey
Denard Robinson Brian Rolle
Roy Roundtree Chimdi Checkwa
Darryl Stonum Devon Torrence
Junior Hemingway Jermale Hines
Patrick Omameh John Simon
Taylor Lewan Cameron Heyward
Stephen Schilling Ross Homan
On defense, the Buckeyes have their usual tough solid defense! They lead the Big Ten in virtually every defensive category. They are ranked #3 nationally in rushing and total defense, #5 in scoring and pass defense and #7 in pass efficiency defense. They are ranked #2 nationally in forcing opponents into 3 and outs with 5.81 per game. Their tackle leader is Junior MIKE Middle Linebacker Brian Rolle; he is quick and mobile and has already challenged Denard Robinson by saying that not many people can run by him. WILL Inside Linebacker Senior Ross Homan and Senior STAR Free Safety Jermale Hines are the other Buckeye tackling leaders. Junior Andrew Sweat is the SAM Outside Linebacker. The defensive line is anchored by Senior Defensive End and Captain Cameron Heyward. Junior Nathan Williams is the other Defensive End; Junior Solomon Thomas is his backup. Scrappy, quick Sophomore Defensive Tackle Johnny Simon and Senior Dexter Larimore are the Defensive Tackles. Freshman Detroiter Johnathan Hankins is a backup defensive tackle. In the Backfield, Senior Cornerback Chimdi Checkwa is the leader. Senior Devon Torrence is the other cornerback. Sophomore Travis Howard is the 3rd cornerback. Sophomore Orhian Johnson is the Strong Safety. Senior Detroiter Aaron Gant is the Backup Free Safety, but has started 3 of the last 4 games with a 5 back scheme. The Buckeyes are ranked #7 nationally in turnover margin due to a defense that has forced 26 turnovers in 11 games.

On special teams, Devin Barclay is currently the Big Ten's leading scorer; he has hit 16 of 19 field goals and 54 of 54 PATs for 102 points. The Buckeyes are a threat on kickoff returns and are ranked #12 nationally with Freshman Jamaal Berry as their deep threat. Sophomore Jordan Hall is their punt returner and he averages over 10 yards per return (#2 in the Big Ten); he also returns kickoffs. Freshman Drew Basil handles kickoffs, and their punter is Sophomore Ben Buchanan; suprisingly, their net punting is one of the poorest nationally ranked #96. Their kickoff coverage is adequate, but not outstanding.

It has been said that to be the best, one must be able to beat the best. Right now, few could argue that Ohio State is the Big Ten's best in football. They have won or tied for the past 5 Big Ten football titles, and Jim Tressel has now moved ahead of Bo Schembechler in Big Ten winning percentage. He is only behind Fielding Yost while winning 8 of 9 in the series. While we dominated the 1990s and won a National Championship in 1997, the Buckeyes have dominated the last decade with a National Championship in 2002. Ohio State has been ranked #1 in NCAA Football 94 times from 1936 to present, and only two football programs have outdone them: Oklahoma and Notre Dame. Michigan is #11 on that list. Since 2002, The Buckeyes have 97 wins, and only two teams, USC and Boise State have more.

Interesting Trivia: When was the last time Ohio State was not ranked in the Top 25? Answer: 1995

When was the last time Ohio State had a losing season and did not make a bowl game? Answer: 1988

When was the last time Michigan beat Ohio State in football? Answer: 2003 (2000 in Columbus)

Game Prediction:

Michigan 28 Ohio State 38

This is the greatest rivalry in all of sports in the United States. They have played every year since 1918, and the game was moved to the last Saturday of the season in 1935. Even though Michigan holds an advantage with 57 wins in 106 games; since 1918, the advantage is 45 wins and 43 losses with 4 ties. Michigan's record at the Big House is 22-18-3 since 1918. The Buckeyes began calling this series the "Gold Pants" which began in 1934, and hold a 37-35-4 advantage. Ohio State takes pride in their record against Michigan since the Snow Bowl in 1950 when the Woody Hayes era began, it is 31-26-2 since 1951.

Decade Team Record Highlight
2000-2009 Ohio State 8W-2L 2006 #1 vs. #2, 39-42
1990-1999 Michigan 7W-2L-1T
1980-1989 Michigan 6W-4L
1970-1979 Ohio State 5W-4L-1T 10-10 Tie and Rose Bowl Vote in 1973
1960-1969 Ohio State 7W-3L 50 points in 1968, Woody goes for 2 and 1969 Revenge, 24-12
1950-1959 Tied 5W-5L Snow Bowl 9-3, no first downs
1940-1949 Michigan 6W-2L-2T
1930-1939 Tied 5W-5L
1920-1929 Michigan 6W-4L 1922 Ohio Stadium dedication game ruined, and 1927 Big House dedication game celebrated
1910-1919 Michigan 3W-1L-1T
1900-1909 Michigan 9W-0L-1T
1890-1899 Michigan 1W-0L
Undefeated Seasons Ruined by Arch-Rival Team Times
1969, 1973, 1993, 1995, 1996 Ohio State 5
1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 2006 Michigan 5
Undefeated Conference Seasoned Ruined by Arch-Rival Team Times
1939, 1964, 1969, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996 Ohio State 11
1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1982, 1998, 2004, 2006 Michigan 10
Category Michigan Ohio State
Legend Coach(es) Bo Schembechler, Fielding Yost and Fritz Crisler Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel
Legend Players Tom Harmon, Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard Archie Griffin, Hopalong Cassidy and Troy Smith
Current Record 7 wins-4 losses, 3-4 in Big Ten 10 wins-1 losses, 6-1 in the Big Ten
Heisman winners 3 7
All-Americans 150 (126 individuals) 177 (135 individuals)
Bowl Record 19 wins-20 losses, 20 Rose Bowls (8-12) 19 wins-22 losses, 14 Rose Bowls (7-7)
Big Ten Titles 42 34
NCAA Titles 11 7
Series Record 57W-43L-6T 43W-57L-6T
Overall Record 884-306-36 829-309-53
Fight Song The Victors Fight the Team
Hate Song Liquidate Ohio State Don't give a damn about Michigan
Rally Song Let's Go Blue Hang on Sloopy
Other Song Varsity Buckeye Battle Cry
Other Song Hawaiian War Chant Hey Cheer
Other Song Yellow&Blue Carmen Ohio
Mascot Wolverine Buckeye (Brutus)
Reward Satisfaction Golden Pants

2003 Michigan 31 Ohio State 23 Part I Part II

2000 Michigan 38 Ohio State 26 Part I Part II

1999 Michigan 24 Ohio State 17 Part I Part II Part III

1997 Michigan 20 Ohio State 14 Part I Part II

1996 Michigan 13 Ohio State 9 Part I Part II

1995 Michigan 31 Ohio State 23 Part I Part II

1993 Michigan 28 Ohio State 0 Part I Part II

1991 Michigan 31 Ohio State 3 Part I Part II

1990 Michigan 16 Ohio State 13

1989 Michigan 28 Ohio State 18

1988 Michigan 34 Ohio State 31 Part I Part II

1986 Michigan 26 Ohio State 24

1985 Michigan 27 Ohio State 17

1983 Michigan 24 Ohio State 21

1980 Michigan 9 Ohio State 3

1978 Michigan 14 Ohio State 3

1977 Michigan 14 Ohio State 6

1976 Michigan 22 Ohio State 0

1973 Michigan 10 Ohio State 10

1971 Michigan 10 Ohio State 7

Bob Ufer Poem: Burying Michigan

1969 Michigan 24 Ohio State 12

1964 Michigan 10 Ohio State 0

1959 Michigan 23 Ohio State 14

1950 Michigan 9 Ohio State 3 (The Snow Bowl)

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