The Unranked 7-4 Michigan Wolverines entertain the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes for the 110th meeting between the two schools in the biggest rivalry in college football. The Buckeyes are a 14 point favorite. Michigan leads the series against the two rivals, 58-44-6 with a record of 31-20-4 in Ann Arbor and 22-18-3 at Michigan Stadium. Urban Meyer is 1-0 against Michigan and 23-0 overall since taking the Buckeye Head Coaching Job; Brady Hoke is 1-1 against the Buckeyes. The current Ohio State winning streak has surpassed the 1967-69 streak of 22 that the Wolverines ended in 1969.

On offense, the Buckeyes leader is Junior Braxton Miller; he became the 3rd Ohio State player to gain over 7,000 yards of total offense last week against Illinois; he will probably break all the quarterback records of Art Schlichter, Cornelius Greene and Troy Smith before he's done in 2014. Miller leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency, and is the Buckeyes All-Time leading rushing quarterback with 2,724 yards and 25 TDs. Miller has a capable backup in Senior Kenny Guiton who had two starts in Miller's absence. Senior 235 lbs. Tailback Carlos Hyde has 1,064 yards and 13 TDs with a conference leading average of 146.1 per game, and also leading the conference in scoring. Hyde scampered for 146 yards and a TD in the 2012 battle. Senior Jordan Hall backs up Hyde along with Freshmen Warren Ball, Ezekiel Elliott, and Junior Rod Smith. Both Miller and Hyde run behind a solid offensive line led by Senior Left Tackle, Jack Mewhort, Senior Left Guard, Andrew Norwell, Senior Center, Corey Linsley, and Senior Right Guard, Marcus Hall, and Sophomore Right Tackle, Taylor Decker; they are big (averaging 310 lbs.), strong, and agile with a lot of experience. The Buckeye offense has converted 51 of 54 red zone opportunities with 45 TDs which ranks them #4 nationally; they are ranked #7 nationally in total offense, #5 in rushing offense, #8 in first downs, and #3 in scoring offense. To say they'll be tough to stop is certainly an understatement; however, if Michigan is to have a chance against the powerful Buckeyes, they must stop Miller and Hyde and the rushing attack forcing them to throw. Ohio State has the second fewest "3 and outs" of any NCAA Division I offense, and 53% of their offensive possessions have resulted in TDs. When they have to throw, Miller looks to Senior Corey Brown, Senior Chris Fields, converted Freshman Running Back Dontre Wilson, and Junior Tight End Jeff Heuerman. In last year's game, Brown caught 8 for 95 yards and a TD. Juniors Devin Smith and Evan Spencer are backup wideouts with several starts under their belt, and Sophomore Nick Vannett backs up at tight end. Brown has caught 9 TDs, Smith has 7, and Fields has 6 TD grabs. If we are to have any chance in the game, we'd have to hold the Buckeyes to under 100 yards in net rushing (they average 315 yards per game), and less than 300 yards in total offense (they average 509 yards per game) or force 3-4 turnovers which is possible, but not likely with a predominantly senior group. Jake Ryan and Brennan Beyer must hold the edges, and not let Miller or Hyde gain yards on the outside.

On defense, the Buckeyes are led by Junior Ryan Shazier; he has 108 tackles, 19.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 5 quarterback hits in 11 games this season; he is a menacing one-man wrecking crew on defense. His linebacking parters are Corey Grant and Sophomore Joshua Perry; however, they are in a Nickel defense most of the time since their opponents must throw since they are usually behind early in the game. Sophomore Camren Williams and Freshman Trey Johnson are backup at linebacker. Their defensive line is young, but another typical tough, strong group with Sophomore Noah Spence and Freshman Joey Bosa at the ends, Tommy Schutt and Michael Bennett at the tackles. VIPER Spence has 13.5 tackles for loss Sophomores Adolphus Washington, Jamal Marcus, Chris Carter, Chase Farris, and Juniors Joel Hale and Steve Miller may also see action. In the backfield, Juniors Bradley Roby and Doran Grant man the corners with Seniors C.J. Barrett and Pitt Brown at the safeties. Backups include Freshmen Tyvis Powell, Cameron Burrows and Vonn Bell, and Sophomore Ron Tanner. The Buckeye plan on defense will be to stop our run, pressure Gardner, and not get burned deep. If we can't run on this Ohio State team in 2013, we'll really have difficulty in future seasons as the defense matures.

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On special teams, Senior Drew Basil leads the Big Ten in scoring; he has hit 8 of 9 field goals thus far, and he nailed 4 of 5 in last year's game. Field position is always big in rivalry battles. The Buckeyes don't punt much, typically averaging only 3 times a game as they enjoy a 4 minute time of possession advantage which allows them more offensive plays; however, Australian Freshman Cameron Johnson has nailed 21 of his 34 punts inside the 20 to lead all punters nationwide while averaging 43.5 yards per boot. Senior George Makridis is the long snapper. Corey Brown returns punts averaging nearly 9 yards per return. One can always count on the Buckeyes to provide outstanding special teams play, this year's group has 3 punts blocks; Meyer's teams have 60 blocks since 2001 at Florida and Ohio State, obviously a point of emphasis. The Buckeye kickoff return team is ranked #10 nationally allowing a stingy 17.8 per return in 62 kicks. It is unlikely we can count on Dennis Norfleet or Jeremy Gallon to help gain us great field position in this one.

Obviously, the motivation to win this game is big since Michigan could end another great Buckeye streak, and salvage their mediocre season with a victory. On the Buckeye ledger, they may still get to the BCS National Championship game with wins over Michigan and Michigan State, and a loss by Alabama to arch-rival Auburn or Missouri in the SEC conference championships or a loss by Florida State to Florida or Duke in the ACC Championship game.

In last year's game in Columbus, Devin Gardner was 11 of 20 for 171 yards, and was sacked 4 times while we only managed to earn one red zone. The Buckeyes dominated time of possession by 14 minutes which allowed them 23 more offensive plays. The offense will have to do a better job of converting on 3rd down, maintaining time of possession, and driving the ball for red zone opportunities while converting in the red zone if we are to keep this game close.

This game will not be a blowout. Expect Michigan to play their "hearts out" at home, and give the Buckeyes more of a game than they are anticipating.

Michigan 23 Ohio State 24

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 58 wins in 109 games; since 1918, the advantage is 46 wins and 45 losses with 4 ties. The Buckeyes began calling this series the "Gold Pants" which began in 1934, and hold a 39-36-4 advantage. Ohio State takes pride in their record against Michigan since the Snow Bowl in 1950 when the Woody Hayes era began, it is 27-32-2 since 1951(2010 Buckeye win removed).

2011 Michigan 40 Ohio State 34

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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