The #15 Michigan Wolverines host the unranked Ohio State Buckeyes for the 108th meeting between the two schools in the biggest rivalry in college football. Ohio State has won the last seven games in a row in the series, and 9 of the past 10 games. The 132nd Michigan Football team has a chance to do something that no other Michigan football team has ever done, and that is to win 8 games in The Big House. Michigan is a 7 point favorite.

On offense, the Buckeyes are led by Freshman Braxton Miller; he has gained 595 yards and 6 TDs in 128 attempts and thrown for 53 for 109 for 762 yards with 9 TDs and 3 interceptions. His backup is Senior Joe Bauserman; he is 40 of 86 for 492 yards and thrown 5 TDs. At running back, Dan "Boom" Herron has 559 yards in 108 attempts with 2 TDs. Herron has run for 358 yards and 3 TDs against Michigan in the last 3 seasons including last year's 175 yards and one TD effort. Sophomore Carlos Hyde has run for 549 yards in 101 attempts with 6 TDs. Jordan Hall has 381 yards in 95 attempts for 2 TDs. Their rushing attack has been successful due to a big, tough offensive line. They are led by Senior Left Tackle Mike Adams, Senior Right Tackle J.B. Shugarts and Senior Center Mike Brewster. All three have a good chance to play in the NFL. Right Guard is manned by Sophomore Jack Mewhort and Left Guard by Sophomore Andrew Norwell. Sophomore Marcus Hall and/or Antonio Underwood may also see action on the offensive line. Their fullback is Junior Zach Boren. Their rushing attack averages 201 yards per game ranking them #27 nationally and #4 in the Big Ten. If we are to have a chance to defeat the Buckeyes, we'll need to contain their run game. The Buckeye passing attack has not been great this year; they are ranked #118 nationally and #12 in the Big Ten. As a result, their total offense has netted an average of 315 yards per game ranking them #108 nationally and #11 in the Big Ten. The favorite target for Miller and Bauserman has been Junior Tight End Jake Stoneburner; he has 13 receptions, and 7 TDs. At wide receiver, Senior DeVier Posey and Sophomore Corey Brown. Brown has 12 catches and Posey only 4. Posey has 9 receptions against Michigan in the past two seasons. Freshman Devin Smith replaced Posey while he was suspended, and he has 11 catches for 241 yards and 4 TDs. Junior Reid Fragel backs up Stoneburner, and Sophomore Chris Fields may also see action at wideout. Ohio State had their best offensive game of the season against Wisconsin at home when they came from behind to defeat a tough Badger team, 33-29 at home after falling behind with 1:18 to go. Devin Smith caught a 40 yard TD pass with 20 second to go. Ohio State racked up 268 rushing yards and held the Badgers to only 89 on the ground.

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On special teams, Jordan Hall is their star. Last year, he took back an 85 yarder for a TD against us. He is averaging 28.6 yards per kickoff return, and 6.4 yards on punt returns. Sophomore Jamaal Berry also returns kickoffs along with Chris Fields. Sophomore Drew Basil is their placekicker, and he is 13 of 16 with a 47 yarder as his longest. Basil has 10 touchbacks in 54 kickoffs. Their punter is Junior Ben Buchanan; his is averaging 40.9 yards per boot with 22 of his 62 attempts downed inside the 20 and 23 fair catches. Both Buchanan and Basil did an excellent job in last year's Michigan game. Basil had 8 kickoffs with one touchback, and Buchanan punted 4 times for 44.5 yards including a 59 yarder. The Buckeye kickoff cover team is the best in the Big Ten and #11 nationally allowing only 18.2 yards per kickoff.

Speculation prior to the game includes the story that Luke Fickell will be fired after the game, and Urban Meyer has already accepted the position as the new Buckeye head coach. No Terrell Pryor, no Troy Smith, no passing attack. The Wolverines must stop the Buckeye rushing attack, and keep them one dimensional. On offense, we must maintain time of possession advantage, and convert our red zone opportunities. Obviously, as always, the team who wins the turnover battle has the best chance to win in this game. Michigan wins at home, and breaks the Buckeye hex. Michigan finishes 10-2 and Ohio State 6-6. Hail to the Victors!!!

Michigan 24 Ohio State 13

Friday Walk Through on November 25

Brady Hoke Press Conference on November 23

Al Borges Press Conference on November 22

Greg Mattison Press Conference on November 22

Brady Hoke Press Conference on November 21

Dave Molk Press Conference on November 22

Ryan VanBergen Press Conference on November 21

Games Notes for Ohio State (Ohio State Game Notes for Michigan)

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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 107 games; since 1918, the advantage is 45 wins and 44 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 38-35-4 advantage. Ohio State takes pride in their record against Michigan since the Snow Bowl in 1950 when the Woody Hayes era began, it is 26-32-2 since 1951.

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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