OHIO STATE PREVIEW 2015

The 9-2 Michigan Wolverines entertain the 10-1 Ohio State Buckeyes for the 112th meeting between the two schools in the biggest rivalry in college football. Michigan is a two point favorite. Michigan leads the series against the two rivals, 58-47-6 with a record of 31-21-4 in Ann Arbor and 23-19-3 at Michigan Stadium. Urban Meyer is 3-0 against Michigan and 48-4 overall since taking the Buckeye Head Coaching Job; Jim Harbaugh is 0-0 against the Buckeyes. The winner of this game may have a chance to land in a BCS Bowl, and the loser probably goes to the Citrus Bowl. Michigan has 21 players on its roster from Ohio; Ohio State only has 3 players from Michigan who all played at Cass Tech for former Wolverine Thomas Wilcher. The last time Michigan shut out Ohio State at Michigan Stadium was in 1993; the Wolverines last shut out Ohio in Columbus in 1976.

Charles Woodson led Michigan over Ohio State in 1997; it was the last year Michigan won a National Title, Ohio has won two recently in 2002 & 2014

On offense, Ohio State is led by Junior Running Back Ezekiel Elliott; he is second in the Big Ten and 7th nationally in rushing with an average of 134.5 yards per game with17 TDs leading the Big Ten in scoring. The Buckeyes average 230.4 yards per game on the ground which is tops in the Big Ten and ranked #14 nationally. Junior Brionte Dunn is his backup. Sophomore Quarterback J.T. Barrett is also a running threat; he averages nearly 50 yards per game rushing, and has 9 TDs. Their best throwing quarterback is Junior Cardale Jones; he averages 146 passing yards per game with 8 TDs in the air. Jones has 8 starts, and Barrett has 3. Both Elliott and Jones announced after the loss to Michigan State last Saturday that neither will return for their senior seasons. Buckeye quarterback, Braxton Miller, is now a halfback; he has 23 receptions and 3 TDs, but is only averaging 20 yards per game on the ground. Don't be surprised to see Miller take some snaps at quarterback against Michigan; he holds the touchdown record at Ohio State with 88 (33 rushing, 52 passing, and 3 receiving). Michigan has had difficulty with running quarterbacks who can run tempo; the Buckeyes could adjust their game plan as they have "nothing to lose" when they come to Ann Arbor now that it appears that the Big Ten Championship and BCS Championships are out of reach. Their top receiver is Junior Michael Thomas; he has 47 receptions and 8 TDS. Sophomore Jalin Marshall has 29 receptions with 4 TDs. Sophomore Curtis Samuel has 19 receptions with 2 TDs. Freshman Parris Campbell has also seen action, but their depth at wide receiver has hurt them this season. Their Tight End is Senior Nick Vannett; he has 17 receptions, and his backup is Sophomore Marcus Baugh. The offensive line is anchored by Senior Left Tackle Taylor Decker and Senior Right Tackle Chase Farris, and Senior Center Jacoby Boren; both Boren and Decker are offensive captains along with Braxton Miller. Sophomore Billy Price is the Left Guard, and Junior Pat Elflein is the Right Guard. Last week, Michigan State held this powerful Buckeye offense to only 5 first downs, 86 yards rushing in 29 attempts, 132 net yards in 45 offensive plays, and forced them into 9 punts. Although they converted both red zone attempts on Spartan turnovers, they were 5 of 15 in 3rd and 4th down conversions; the Spartans had a 16:30 time of possession advantage which resulted in 22 more offensive plays.

Ohio State torn down the Michigan Banner in the 1973 game by order of Woody Hayes; the banner tradition began at Michigan in 1962

On defense, the Buckeyes are led by Sophomore MIKE Inside Linebacker Raekwon McMillan; he has 105 tackles (2nd in the Big Ten) and 5 quarterback hits. Junior Defensive End Joey Bosa has 44 tackles, 15 for loss, 4 sacks, 4 tipped passes, and 12 quarterback hits. Bosa has 25 sacks in 39 starts for Ohio State. Senior Defensive Tackle Adolphus Washington. Bosa and Washington will be playing on Sundays in the NFL next year. Sophomore Tyquan Lewis is the other defensive end; he has 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Freshman Sam Hubbard will also see action at End. Seniors Tommy Schutt and Joel Hale along with Sophomore Michael Hill have split time at the other tackle. Our offensive line will have their "hands full" blocking the Buckeyes Defensive Line, and keeping pressure off Rudock. Senior Joshua Perry is the WILL Linebacker, and Sophomore Darron Lee is the Outside Linebacker; Perry led the Buckeye defense against the Spartans with 15 tackles. Sophomores Dante Booker and Chris Worley will also see action. Juniors Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell are the safeties; Sophomores Gareon Conley and Eli Apple are the corners. Perry and Powell are the defensive captains. Bosa and Decker are Lombardi Finalists.

Bo and Woody brought the rivalry to new heights during the "10 Year War" following the 50-14 game in 1968 where Woody went for 2

Top Individual Game Matchups

On special teams, Jalin Marshall is a dangerous returner for Ohio State; he averages 12.8 yards per return with 24 returns. Dontre Wilson and Curtis Samuel average 23.4 yards per return on 13 kickoffs. Sophomore Sean Neurnberger handles the kickoffs. Senior Jack Willoughby is 7 of 11 on field goals, and 45 of 45 in Extra Points. Junior Cameron Johnston from Australia is an outstanding punter; he averages 43.9 yards per punt with 17 punts over 50 yards and 24 downed inside the 20 with 54 attempts; Ohio State leads the Big Ten in net punting. The Buckeyes have had one punt blocked.

In the 2013 game at Ann Arbor, Michigan's Delano Hill and Ohio State's Dontre Wilson square off

In last year's game in Columbus, the Buckeyes rolled up 416 net yards of offense, 233 on the ground, and converted 8 of 14 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. J.T. Barrett was 13 of 21 for 176 yards for a TD, and ran 15 times for 89 yards and another TD. Ezekiel Elliott had 17 carries for 121 yards including a 44 yard TD. If Michigan is to win on Saturday, the Buckeye offense will need to be held in check by our defense especially on the ground. I think our defense can get the job done this year. I'm also confident that our offense will be able to throw on the Buckeyes, but we must win the turnover battle; last year, we have up 14 points off two turnovers. Coach Harbaugh has the Wolverines prepared, poised and confident for this one. Can you believe we'll end this season 10-2?

Michigan 24 Ohio State 22

The Maniacal Hayes tried to tear down the banner again in 1977, but Wolverine Dave Gallagher held him off

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 112 games; since 1918, the series is 46 wins and 47 losses with 4 ties. The Buckeyes began calling this series the "Gold Pants" which began in 1934, and hold a 41-36-4 advantage. Ohio State also takes pride in their record against Michigan since the Snow Bowl in 1950 when the Woody Hayes era began, it is 27-34-2 since 1951 (2010 Buckeye win removed). Harbaugh crushes Buckeye Nut with Hammer on Bo's Grave

Chris Spielman has 29 tackles against Michigan, but it wasn't enough to defeat a Jim Harbaugh guaranteed win, 26-24

Chic Harley led the Buckeyes to their first win over Michigan in 1919; Former Wisconsin Fullback John Wilce coached the Buckeyes, 1913-1928, with a 4-7 record

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)

Michigan gained no first downs in 1950, but still came up with a win at Columbus; Chuck Ortmann punted 24 times for 723 yards

The Wolverine

Michigan Daily

MGoBlog