Buckeyes not taking anything for granted against Michigan
Todd Porter
To a man, Ohio State players championed the company line this week. With straight faces and not a hint of sarcasm, the Buckeyes said Michigan -- the 3-8 Wolverines having their worst season in school history -- are dangerous.
The Wolverines weren't so dangerous against Toledo. Nor against Northwestern and Purdue.
But at noon today at Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1) face their rivals. And when Michigan and Ohio State play, at least OSU players would have you believe, something happens to the fellows wearing those jerseys.
"Ohio State vs. Michigan trumps everything," Buckeye Head Coach Jim Tressel said. "It trumps your record. It trumps whether it's dangerous or you don't have a chance or any of those kinds of things."
Well, maybe.
It has been more than 70 years since the team with a losing record beat the team with a winning record in this series. So throw the records out? Hardly. Ohio State is a three-touchdown favorite. Given that the Buckeye rarely cover spreads this large, that may be a tad high.
It's off the charts, according to tight end Rory Nicol.
"That sounds crazy," Nicol said when told of the line. "I've played in this game three times, and it's the hardest-hitting, cleanest and toughest football game I've ever played in. The game comes down to turnovers and being tough.
"We're not going into this game thinking we're 20 points better than Michigan."
James Laurinaitis was a skinny freshman linebacker when he was indoctrinated into Michigan week. Buckeye linebacker Bobby Carpenter was hurt during the 2005 game in Ann Arbor.
Laurinaitis went in and jogged near the end of a tackle made away from him. That's when Wolverines tailback Mike Hart hit him so hard that Laurinaitis did a cartwheel and landed on his feet.
From then on, Laurinaitis never jogged onto the football field. His head will be on a swivel this afternoon.
"There's plenty of history of people saying there is no way this team could lose a game in this rivalry, and they did," Laurinaitis said. "We have to be extremely ready for this team. This team has a lot of talent. Look at their games. They've been rolling along and then something happens."
Michigan's fall from grace has been one of college football's intriguing stories this season.
Rich Rodriguez was hired to replace Lloyd Carr, and growing pains were expected with Rodriguez's spread offense, especially after Terrelle Pryor picked the Buckeyes over the Wolverines. It left Michigan without a spread offense quarterback. But 3-8 -- possibly 3-9 -- and no bowl game for the first time in 34 years?
"I think it's a surprise based on the tradition of that school and the great teams they've had in the past," OSU receiver Brian Robiskie said. "Their record won't matter (today). They could be 0-11 or we could be 0-11, and it's going to be a great game because it always is."
Robiskie and his fellow seniors have a chance to leave Ohio State never having lost to the Wolverines. Despite Michigan's record, one more win will be just as sweet as the last four.
"Beating Michigan one more time is right up there," Robiskie said. "That's not going to change. For anybody to be able to say they beat Michigan one more time ... that's not enough for anybody."
Michigan at Ohio State
TV: ABC with Brad Nessle, Bob Griese and Paul Maguire. Stacey Dales will work the sidelines.
RADIO: Ohio State Radio Network (WHBC-AM 1480, WKNR-AM 850, WAKR-AM 1590) with Paul Keels, Jim Lachey and Marty Bannister.
ODDS: Ohio State is a 20 1/2-point favorite.
THE SERIES: Michigan leads, 57-41-6, as the teams enter the 105th meeting in one of college football's most storied rivalries. Michigan is 27-22-2 in Columbus, but the series is 21-21-1 at Ohio Stadium since 1922. The Buckeyes hold a 29-26-2 series lead since 1951 and have won four in a row and six of the last seven.
THEY'RE FROM MICHIGAN: If you love your iPod, thank Tony Fadell, a 1991 grad. Among other alumni are unabomber Ted Kaczynski and Jack Kevorkian. Ann B. Davis, who played the maid on "The Brady Brunch," graduated in 1948. Of course, former President Gerald Ford played football for the Wolverines.
THE COACHES: Jim Tressel is 82-18 in his eighth season at OSU, 217-75-2 in his career. In his first year at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez is 3-8. He is 108-70-2 in 16 years as a college head coach.
WHEN OSU HAS THE BALL: OSU's offense rebounded on the road, scoring 45 and 30 points the last two weeks. The Buckeyes have struggled to get the ball in the end zone at home. Beanie Wells will be a big part of today's offense. It is likely to be Wells' final game at OSU, and he plays biggest against Michigan. Wells seems to be in a groove, and the Buckeyes have figured out what they do best. QB Terrelle Pryor has been mildly effective throwing the ball, but he isn't going to start winging it all over the field. The Wolverines do not defend the pass well. This could be a painful game to watch for Michigan fans as some had counted on Pryor to be in Ann Arbor.
WHEN MICHIGAN HAS THE BALL: Rodriguez doesn't have the parts to his spread offense yet. Making matters worse, QB Steve Threet is expected to miss this game with a shoulder injury. That means Nick Sheridan, a walk-on two years ago, gets the start. Sheridan played well in a win over Minnesota, but he was awful last week in a loss to Northwestern. Ohio State's defense won't respect the pass today simply because they don't have to. Remember last year's game when the weather made it impossible to throw? Personnel will do the same today. The Buckeyes are good enough to play four or five in coverage and load up against the run.
PORTER'S PICK: Given the chance, Tressel will score as many points as possible. Ohio State rolls to an easy 31-10 win.