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Michigan vs. Ohio State - November 23, 2002
Stream-of-consciousness notes
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"I've always thought that true good sense requires one to see and comment on the ridiculous." - John Kenneth Galbraith
By Pete Fiutak
Welcome again to my pretentious, goofy and self-serving stream-of-consciousness thoughts and notes on the big games, the broadcasts, the ads and the teams for the attention deficit disordered. E-mail me with your own thoughts and notes and what you'd like to see.
Pre-game
This is always my favorite November rivalry. There's something wonderful about the gray skies, the classic helmets, the history, and everything that's at stake almost every season. As a pure college football fan, I'm torn trying to figure out what I'd really like to see win. One side of me really wants an Ohio State win to set up the monster Miami-Ohio State showdown for the national title. The frosted side wants to see Michigan pull off the upset to set off a firestorm of debate and controversy. Does the one-loss Buckeye team still get in ahead of a one loss Washington State squad? How about Iowa? How about Oklahoma? My pre-game prediction is Ohio State because of the kicking game, but I won't be the least bit shocked if Michigan ruins yet another Ohio State national title shot with Chris Perry and B.J. Askew looking like Tim Biakabatuka.
First Quarter
How can anyone watch the pre-game stuff for this and not be completely jacked up? ... I like Jim Tressel. For a moment, America finally got to see him be something other than Senator Tressel as he was screaming his head off for the kickoff return unit before getting interviewed by Jack Arute. ... I think Ohio State should come out throwing. The Buckeyes need to capture the excitement of the moment and the crowd. ... Two straight Maurice Hall running plays put everyone back in their seats. ... Three and out OSU. ... Not to be too reactionary, but if I'm a Buckeye fan, I'm nervous. Michigan is looking far more loose than Ohio State is. ... Both teams are looking to establish the run, but I'd start throwing early. These defenses are way too pumped up to run on. ... Great third down throw to Braylon Edwards for the first down. Ohio State can't let John Navaree get any early confidence. ... OSU isn't getting any pressure on Navarre and he's eating up the secondary. ... This might sound ridiculous, but with Michigan on the 19 on its first drive, it's not the worst thing in the world to not get in the end zone. If the Wolverines can get some confidence in the kicking game, this game changes. ... Adam Finley nailed a 39-yard field goal. That is absolutely huge for this team's psyche. Now Michigan doesn't have to panic on every drive. ... Michigan 3 ... Ohio State 0 ... BASF has been advertising to me for years. They don't make a lot of the products I buy, they make a lot of the products I buy better. So diddily what? Why are you wasting your money telling me this? Why don't you just make the products I buy that much better? ... Maurice Clarett didn't start and is supposed to come in midway through the game, but OSU should put him in now. If he's ready to play, he has to get going. He'll have over a month to heal. ... Lydell Ross is in the backfield. ... Play two, Clarett comes in and he gets the first down. The team instantly looks energized. ... You can tell Brent and Gary are into this. There's no joking around like there usually is between these two. .... At the beginning of the season, I thought Ross and Hall could run through the holes the Buckeye offensive line were blowing open. As it turns out, these two don't hit the hole like Clarett does. ... OSU is opening it up with the passing game and it's working. Michigan is so key on stopping the run that the short pass is wide open. ... There it is. Clarett is an absolute superstar. He found the hole, made a sidestep and tore off a big run to get down to the 11. ...Clarett took a pop on his shoulder and looks done. It's a shame if he can't play anymore. ... Craig Krenzel took a major pop on a running play. He looks out on his feet and OSU got a delay of game penalty. He's staying in though. ... Clarett is back in the game and he gets in the end zone running wide. I'd sit him now for a quarter or so unless absolutely necessary. He doesn't look right. Four carries, 38 yards and a touchdown ... Ohio State 7 ... Michigan 3 ... I love these ads for MAC computers with people telling you how they can't figure out their computers. This isn't that tough. "My name is Joe Blow, and I'm a pinhead." .... The Michigan offensive line is tearing open some big holes. So far, I'm stunned that the OSU defensive line isn't doing much of anything. ... This game could take an hour and a half with the way these two run the ball.
First Quarter Score: Ohio State 7 ... Michigan 3
Second Quarter
Chris Gamble is very, very All-Big Ten level good, but he's not Charles Woodson yet. With more time as a DB, he might be close. ... AFLAC Trivia Question: The last Michigan QB from Ohio to beat the Buckeyes. This is a slam dunk, isn't it? Elvis, was a hero to most... ... Navarre is throwing extremely well and with a ton of confidence. ... No one's watching this, but Northern Illinois RB Michael Turner is tearing up Toledo. You haven't seen him play, but he's an All-America talent. ... I'm sensing in the Michigan play calling that the coaching staff still doesn't believe in the kicking game. They've abandoned the running game inside the 25 and are gunning it to the end zone. ... Finally, Will Smith got in the backfield and made a huge play. Small OSU CB Dustin Fox is being picked on big time and Ronald Bellamy had him. ... That's three times Michigan has gone after Fox in the end zone, and that's the second time Navarre made a bad throw and didn't give his receiver a chance ... (Cue circus music) And here comes Finley and the kicking game. ... Hits it from 35 yards. Michigan can't ask for more than two made field goals out of its kickers. ... Ohio State 7 ... Michigan 6 ... AFLAC answer: Elvis in 1991. ... The Wolverine linebackers are well drilled on Krenzel's ability to run. ... At midfield on 4th and one foot at midfield, Senator Tressel will kick the ball, but I'd send a message that you're playing to win and go for it. ... Michigan LB Carl Diggs got knocked out. He has to come back of the Wolverines are in trouble. This is only a good call if OSU can finally force a three and out. ... Of course, OSU kicks it and pins Michigan on the five. ... This Bud Light commercial where the guys steal the Bud Light from the neighbor's fridge provides one of the great screams in TV history. The blond guy nails it. ... OSU can't stop the Wolverines. Michigan is six for eight on third down conversions. ... With so much NFL talent in the secondary, why isn't the OSU pass D any better? ... I say this every time I do SOC notes on a game, but getting pressure on the QB is everything in college football. OSU isn't getting on Navarre, and he's finding his second receiver every time. ... Michigan is dominating this game, but are still behind. ... If you like fast football, there's nothing like the old school Big Ten. There's only five minutes left in the first half. ... Navarre is playing really, really well. ... Michigan is finding something on the left side of the line, cause they're opening mile-wide holes over there. ... By my unofficial count, that's the fifth straight running play to the left side. ... Michigan might be able to run out the clock on this drive. I'd think about getting a time out if I'm OSU to stop the momentum, cause Michigan is rolling. ... Don't forget, this is the same drive that started deep in Michigan territory after OSU wussed out on 4th down. ... ANOTHER Michigan 3rd down conversion on the slowest twelve-yard run by a Big Ten quarterback since Darrell Bevell was in the league. ... If this game is a slugfest, Toledo - NIU is like the Hagler - Hearns firefight. The Rockets and Huskies are trading shot after shot. ... The question has to be asked: With what Michigan is able to do, wouldn't Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee tear this Buckeye defense to shreds? ... Michigan isn't afraid to throw at Gamble. ... HOW IS THAT NOT OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE? O.K., there it is. Braylon Edwards shoved Gamble out of the way to make a touchdown catch. If Navarre had thrown that same pass on Fox, it would've been a touchdown. That won't work on Gamble. ... Ohio State has to start blitzing or do something to get in Navarre's face. He's throwing darts over the middle. ... This is an EPIC drive if the Wolverines put the ball into the end zone. ... Fourth down on the five with :21 to play. Michigan is thinking about going for it. After this monster drive, you have to come away with points. With Finley hitting two kicks already, you take the lead on the road. ... Finley hits it from 22 yards. Michigan should be up by far more than two points. ... Michigan 9 ... Ohio State 7. ... This can't be what Ohio State wanted, but this is a second half team. This will be a classic second half.
Second Quarter Score: Michigan 9 ... Ohio State 7
Third Quarter
Michigan is starting with the ball in the second half. If OSU can't stop Michigan on this opening drive, there will be some serious concerns. The Buckeye offense has to get on the field and start wearing down the Wolverine D. ... Michigan was 8 of 11 on third down in the first half. OSU was zero for two. ... Third down Michigan and the Wolverines get the first down with ease. Late in the fourth quarter, Ohio State's D will be dead. ... Once again, Michigan is rumbling over the left side. ... OSU LB Matt Wilhelm is out with a shoulder injury. This would be death for the Buckeye D. ... Wilhelm was only out for one play. ... And we have a sighting of the Michigan punting game. ... I realize I'm nuts, but I kind of dig the soulful, jazz version of the Chili's song. ... Two lunch options: The turkey sandwich or pizza. It's rivalry week, you go with the fastball and the pizza. I'll save the healthy eating for after Thanksgiving. ... Clarett is rolling even though he's playing hurt. With everyone getting so squishy over Marshall's Byron Leftwich playing hurt in a loss to Akron, I want to see the national media give props to Clarett. ... With Diggs out, Ohio State has to get the running game going. ... Michigan forces a punt. Which team is playing for the national title? ... Considering the history between these two teams, is there anyone who thinks Ohio State is going to pull out this game? ... With that said, isn't Michigan way due for a turnover? ... B.J. Askew is the Michigan career leader for receiving yards by a running back? I guess that makes sense. ... There's the first critical mistake by Michigan. Finley put the ball down to the one, but the kick coverage team couldn't down it. ... Yet another MAC commercial. Yo-Yo Ma might be one of the more brilliant musicians of our time, but he couldn't come across as more of a pinhead in this ad. ... With Philadelphia playing San Francisco this week, how much hair are the ABC executives pulling out of their heads after Donovan McNabb got hurt? ... On first and five the Buckeyes, I want to see them try to push the ball deep to Jenkins. ... There's only five minutes to go in this quarter? ... Clarett is unstoppable. Get him into the weight room for two years so he can take the pounding, and he'll be something unstoppable. ... Krenzel looks a little gun shy. He's getting more time than he thinks he has. He's rushing his throws and pulling it down too quickly. ... OSU is 0 for 4 on third downs. ... Indecision kills. OSU calls a timeout trying to figure out whether or not to kick a field goal from the UM 35 into the wind. ... The Buckeyes are punting it and Groom shanks it to the 23. Michigan is looking far sharper in all phases. ... Ohio State's defense can't shut this team down. Navarre is having a brilliant game. ... The Buckeye defense has to be getting gassed. ... With :18 to go in the third quarter and Michigan facing a third down, this has the potential for a classic finish. ... Michigan bombed away on Gamble. I'm not quite sure why Navarre is testing him. ... I'll bite. Is there anyone in America watching the Rutgers - Notre Dame game?
Third Quarter: Michigan 9 ... Ohio State 7
Fourth Quarter
Can you imagine the numbers Clarett would've put up if he could've stayed healthy? ... My revised prediction: OSU will go up 10-9, and Michigan will have a shot to win with a late field goal from about 41 yards into the win. He'll miss. ... 3rd and 15 on third down for OSU and Krenzel picks a perfect time to throw his best ball of the day. ... Penalties killed the Buckeye drive. Groom needs to hit a beauty to make up for his last shank. He does it putting the Wolverines inside the 16. ... From an e-mailer on the Outback commercial with the dog that jumps up on the table: Why is the hot chick with the dork who serves her the weird sausage? That isn't fully explored to its fullest. She's a) hot and b) likes steak. ... UConn is up 10-0 on Iowa State?! ... Oh did Ohio State get screwed on that. The officials were all over the play, but Mike Doss blasted B.J. Askew and forced a fumble. If the Buckeyes lose, OSU fans are going to bitch about this for years. Askew caught it and had possession. Even so, OSU has a chance to force Michigan to give up the ball. ... He's had an average year, but Doss has had a monster game. ... First down Michigan. With under ten minutes to play, time is starting to tick down. ... This will go down as the "classic" game, but the Toledo - NIU and Minnesota - Wisconsin games are more fun right now. ... Navarre is finally starting to look like Navarre of last year. ... OSU starts on its 40 after a halo violation. The Buckeyes need 25 yards to give Nugent a chance with the wind. ... Finally, OSU is moving the ball with the short pass. ... 6:25 to go and 4th and a foot on the Michigan 36. A national title team converts this. ... Krenzel gets it with ease. ... Now they're in Nugent territory. The Buckeyes can open it up. ... 25-yard pass to Clarett. Are we really so sure this kid isn't ready for the NFL? ... Clarett down to the four. If OSU can get this into the end zone, Michigan will get this down five with about 4:40 to go. This is getting fun now. ... I was about to rip on OSU for not having Clarett in, then the Buckeyes ran a beautiful option to the left side for Maurice Hall for a touchdown. I thought OSU might've been called for a false start, but maybe I didn't see it right. ... Ohio State 14 ... Michigan 9 ... Why not go for two right there? A Michigan touchdown wins the game. As shaky as the UM kicking game is, the extra point wouldn't be a lock. Being up five does you no more good with 4:40 to go than being up four. ...Why isn't the crowd more into it? They should be roaring right now, but they seem too scared. ... That wasn't a false start on the touchdown. My bad. ... Tai Streets, where are you? ... You don't think people in Iowa City, Pullman, Norman and Athens aren't ready to go out and buy John Navarre jerseys if he can get this done? ... Fourth and four with 3:22 to go on its own 43, Michigan is going for it. This is the right call. You might not get better field position than this again. ... Navarre comes up clutch with a brilliant throw to Bellamy. ... This is going to be REALLY close. If Michigan wins this, this'll be the most heartbreaking Buckeye loss by far. ... 3rd and five, I'd run the ball. You're going to go for it on fourth down anyway. ... Shows you what I know. Michigan gets the first down on a Navarre pass. ... Two minutes to play ... Fumble by Navarre and Ohio State might be going to the national title. Will Smith just cements himself on the All-Big Ten team and makes one of the biggest plays in OSU history. ... Clarett is in the game, but I'm not so sure I'd have him running the ball right now. With his shoulder, one good pop and he's fumbling it. ... Michigan is still going to have one last heave into the end zone. ... These goal posts have about 1:57 of life left. ... The crowd still seems scared. Over the TV, there appears to be a nervous rumble. ... Anthony Davis 301 yards and five touchdowns against Minnesota. ... :58 to play. If Michigan gets this done, then can we call it even after the Kordell play? ... This could be the first time in the history of recorded man that the prevent defense actually worked. ... Unbelievable. Navarre keeps the drive alive on 4th down with a completion. The Wolverines aren't going to make this easy on the Buckeye fans. ... I'm nervous and I don't really care what happens. I can't even imagine what I'd be feeling like if I'm wearing scarlet and gray right now. ... Gamble gets called for pass interference. Michigan is going to get an honest shot at the end zone. ... Navarre is the MAN. With seven seconds to play, Michigan has two shots at the end zone from the 23. ... One second to go! This makes up for the Michigan State game for Michigan. ... I'll say it. This would be the most painful loss in college football history if Michigan gets this done. ... Oh was that close. Picked off in the end zone. You can't ask for more of a shot than that if you're a Michigan fan. ... What an ending! Does anyone own Ohio more than Jim Tressel does right now? He's going to the national title and he's talking like he sounds as excited as he'd be if he just got a free extra taco in his bag.
Final Score: Ohio State 14 ... Michigan 9
Michigan vs. Ohio State - November 23, 2002
Stream-of-consciousness notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I've always thought that true good sense requires one to see and comment on the ridiculous." - John Kenneth Galbraith
By Pete Fiutak
Welcome again to my pretentious, goofy and self-serving stream-of-consciousness thoughts and notes on the big games, the broadcasts, the ads and the teams for the attention deficit disordered. E-mail me with your own thoughts and notes and what you'd like to see.
Pre-game
This is always my favorite November rivalry. There's something wonderful about the gray skies, the classic helmets, the history, and everything that's at stake almost every season. As a pure college football fan, I'm torn trying to figure out what I'd really like to see win. One side of me really wants an Ohio State win to set up the monster Miami-Ohio State showdown for the national title. The frosted side wants to see Michigan pull off the upset to set off a firestorm of debate and controversy. Does the one-loss Buckeye team still get in ahead of a one loss Washington State squad? How about Iowa? How about Oklahoma? My pre-game prediction is Ohio State because of the kicking game, but I won't be the least bit shocked if Michigan ruins yet another Ohio State national title shot with Chris Perry and B.J. Askew looking like Tim Biakabatuka.
First Quarter
How can anyone watch the pre-game stuff for this and not be completely jacked up? ... I like Jim Tressel. For a moment, America finally got to see him be something other than Senator Tressel as he was screaming his head off for the kickoff return unit before getting interviewed by Jack Arute. ... I think Ohio State should come out throwing. The Buckeyes need to capture the excitement of the moment and the crowd. ... Two straight Maurice Hall running plays put everyone back in their seats. ... Three and out OSU. ... Not to be too reactionary, but if I'm a Buckeye fan, I'm nervous. Michigan is looking far more loose than Ohio State is. ... Both teams are looking to establish the run, but I'd start throwing early. These defenses are way too pumped up to run on. ... Great third down throw to Braylon Edwards for the first down. Ohio State can't let John Navaree get any early confidence. ... OSU isn't getting any pressure on Navarre and he's eating up the secondary. ... This might sound ridiculous, but with Michigan on the 19 on its first drive, it's not the worst thing in the world to not get in the end zone. If the Wolverines can get some confidence in the kicking game, this game changes. ... Adam Finley nailed a 39-yard field goal. That is absolutely huge for this team's psyche. Now Michigan doesn't have to panic on every drive. ... Michigan 3 ... Ohio State 0 ... BASF has been advertising to me for years. They don't make a lot of the products I buy, they make a lot of the products I buy better. So diddily what? Why are you wasting your money telling me this? Why don't you just make the products I buy that much better? ... Maurice Clarett didn't start and is supposed to come in midway through the game, but OSU should put him in now. If he's ready to play, he has to get going. He'll have over a month to heal. ... Lydell Ross is in the backfield. ... Play two, Clarett comes in and he gets the first down. The team instantly looks energized. ... You can tell Brent and Gary are into this. There's no joking around like there usually is between these two. .... At the beginning of the season, I thought Ross and Hall could run through the holes the Buckeye offensive line were blowing open. As it turns out, these two don't hit the hole like Clarett does. ... OSU is opening it up with the passing game and it's working. Michigan is so key on stopping the run that the short pass is wide open. ... There it is. Clarett is an absolute superstar. He found the hole, made a sidestep and tore off a big run to get down to the 11. ...Clarett took a pop on his shoulder and looks done. It's a shame if he can't play anymore. ... Craig Krenzel took a major pop on a running play. He looks out on his feet and OSU got a delay of game penalty. He's staying in though. ... Clarett is back in the game and he gets in the end zone running wide. I'd sit him now for a quarter or so unless absolutely necessary. He doesn't look right. Four carries, 38 yards and a touchdown ... Ohio State 7 ... Michigan 3 ... I love these ads for MAC computers with people telling you how they can't figure out their computers. This isn't that tough. "My name is Joe Blow, and I'm a pinhead." .... The Michigan offensive line is tearing open some big holes. So far, I'm stunned that the OSU defensive line isn't doing much of anything. ... This game could take an hour and a half with the way these two run the ball.
First Quarter Score: Ohio State 7 ... Michigan 3
Second Quarter
Chris Gamble is very, very All-Big Ten level good, but he's not Charles Woodson yet. With more time as a DB, he might be close. ... AFLAC Trivia Question: The last Michigan QB from Ohio to beat the Buckeyes. This is a slam dunk, isn't it? Elvis, was a hero to most... ... Navarre is throwing extremely well and with a ton of confidence. ... No one's watching this, but Northern Illinois RB Michael Turner is tearing up Toledo. You haven't seen him play, but he's an All-America talent. ... I'm sensing in the Michigan play calling that the coaching staff still doesn't believe in the kicking game. They've abandoned the running game inside the 25 and are gunning it to the end zone. ... Finally, Will Smith got in the backfield and made a huge play. Small OSU CB Dustin Fox is being picked on big time and Ronald Bellamy had him. ... That's three times Michigan has gone after Fox in the end zone, and that's the second time Navarre made a bad throw and didn't give his receiver a chance ... (Cue circus music) And here comes Finley and the kicking game. ... Hits it from 35 yards. Michigan can't ask for more than two made field goals out of its kickers. ... Ohio State 7 ... Michigan 6 ... AFLAC answer: Elvis in 1991. ... The Wolverine linebackers are well drilled on Krenzel's ability to run. ... At midfield on 4th and one foot at midfield, Senator Tressel will kick the ball, but I'd send a message that you're playing to win and go for it. ... Michigan LB Carl Diggs got knocked out. He has to come back of the Wolverines are in trouble. This is only a good call if OSU can finally force a three and out. ... Of course, OSU kicks it and pins Michigan on the five. ... This Bud Light commercial where the guys steal the Bud Light from the neighbor's fridge provides one of the great screams in TV history. The blond guy nails it. ... OSU can't stop the Wolverines. Michigan is six for eight on third down conversions. ... With so much NFL talent in the secondary, why isn't the OSU pass D any better? ... I say this every time I do SOC notes on a game, but getting pressure on the QB is everything in college football. OSU isn't getting on Navarre, and he's finding his second receiver every time. ... Michigan is dominating this game, but are still behind. ... If you like fast football, there's nothing like the old school Big Ten. There's only five minutes left in the first half. ... Navarre is playing really, really well. ... Michigan is finding something on the left side of the line, cause they're opening mile-wide holes over there. ... By my unofficial count, that's the fifth straight running play to the left side. ... Michigan might be able to run out the clock on this drive. I'd think about getting a time out if I'm OSU to stop the momentum, cause Michigan is rolling. ... Don't forget, this is the same drive that started deep in Michigan territory after OSU wussed out on 4th down. ... ANOTHER Michigan 3rd down conversion on the slowest twelve-yard run by a Big Ten quarterback since Darrell Bevell was in the league. ... If this game is a slugfest, Toledo - NIU is like the Hagler - Hearns firefight. The Rockets and Huskies are trading shot after shot. ... The question has to be asked: With what Michigan is able to do, wouldn't Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee tear this Buckeye defense to shreds? ... Michigan isn't afraid to throw at Gamble. ... HOW IS THAT NOT OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE? O.K., there it is. Braylon Edwards shoved Gamble out of the way to make a touchdown catch. If Navarre had thrown that same pass on Fox, it would've been a touchdown. That won't work on Gamble. ... Ohio State has to start blitzing or do something to get in Navarre's face. He's throwing darts over the middle. ... This is an EPIC drive if the Wolverines put the ball into the end zone. ... Fourth down on the five with :21 to play. Michigan is thinking about going for it. After this monster drive, you have to come away with points. With Finley hitting two kicks already, you take the lead on the road. ... Finley hits it from 22 yards. Michigan should be up by far more than two points. ... Michigan 9 ... Ohio State 7. ... This can't be what Ohio State wanted, but this is a second half team. This will be a classic second half.
Second Quarter Score: Michigan 9 ... Ohio State 7
Third Quarter
Michigan is starting with the ball in the second half. If OSU can't stop Michigan on this opening drive, there will be some serious concerns. The Buckeye offense has to get on the field and start wearing down the Wolverine D. ... Michigan was 8 of 11 on third down in the first half. OSU was zero for two. ... Third down Michigan and the Wolverines get the first down with ease. Late in the fourth quarter, Ohio State's D will be dead. ... Once again, Michigan is rumbling over the left side. ... OSU LB Matt Wilhelm is out with a shoulder injury. This would be death for the Buckeye D. ... Wilhelm was only out for one play. ... And we have a sighting of the Michigan punting game. ... I realize I'm nuts, but I kind of dig the soulful, jazz version of the Chili's song. ... Two lunch options: The turkey sandwich or pizza. It's rivalry week, you go with the fastball and the pizza. I'll save the healthy eating for after Thanksgiving. ... Clarett is rolling even though he's playing hurt. With everyone getting so squishy over Marshall's Byron Leftwich playing hurt in a loss to Akron, I want to see the national media give props to Clarett. ... With Diggs out, Ohio State has to get the running game going. ... Michigan forces a punt. Which team is playing for the national title? ... Considering the history between these two teams, is there anyone who thinks Ohio State is going to pull out this game? ... With that said, isn't Michigan way due for a turnover? ... B.J. Askew is the Michigan career leader for receiving yards by a running back? I guess that makes sense. ... There's the first critical mistake by Michigan. Finley put the ball down to the one, but the kick coverage team couldn't down it. ... Yet another MAC commercial. Yo-Yo Ma might be one of the more brilliant musicians of our time, but he couldn't come across as more of a pinhead in this ad. ... With Philadelphia playing San Francisco this week, how much hair are the ABC executives pulling out of their heads after Donovan McNabb got hurt? ... On first and five the Buckeyes, I want to see them try to push the ball deep to Jenkins. ... There's only five minutes to go in this quarter? ... Clarett is unstoppable. Get him into the weight room for two years so he can take the pounding, and he'll be something unstoppable. ... Krenzel looks a little gun shy. He's getting more time than he thinks he has. He's rushing his throws and pulling it down too quickly. ... OSU is 0 for 4 on third downs. ... Indecision kills. OSU calls a timeout trying to figure out whether or not to kick a field goal from the UM 35 into the wind. ... The Buckeyes are punting it and Groom shanks it to the 23. Michigan is looking far sharper in all phases. ... Ohio State's defense can't shut this team down. Navarre is having a brilliant game. ... The Buckeye defense has to be getting gassed. ... With :18 to go in the third quarter and Michigan facing a third down, this has the potential for a classic finish. ... Michigan bombed away on Gamble. I'm not quite sure why Navarre is testing him. ... I'll bite. Is there anyone in America watching the Rutgers - Notre Dame game?
Third Quarter: Michigan 9 ... Ohio State 7
Fourth Quarter
Can you imagine the numbers Clarett would've put up if he could've stayed healthy? ... My revised prediction: OSU will go up 10-9, and Michigan will have a shot to win with a late field goal from about 41 yards into the win. He'll miss. ... 3rd and 15 on third down for OSU and Krenzel picks a perfect time to throw his best ball of the day. ... Penalties killed the Buckeye drive. Groom needs to hit a beauty to make up for his last shank. He does it putting the Wolverines inside the 16. ... From an e-mailer on the Outback commercial with the dog that jumps up on the table: Why is the hot chick with the dork who serves her the weird sausage? That isn't fully explored to its fullest. She's a) hot and b) likes steak. ... UConn is up 10-0 on Iowa State?! ... Oh did Ohio State get screwed on that. The officials were all over the play, but Mike Doss blasted B.J. Askew and forced a fumble. If the Buckeyes lose, OSU fans are going to bitch about this for years. Askew caught it and had possession. Even so, OSU has a chance to force Michigan to give up the ball. ... He's had an average year, but Doss has had a monster game. ... First down Michigan. With under ten minutes to play, time is starting to tick down. ... This will go down as the "classic" game, but the Toledo - NIU and Minnesota - Wisconsin games are more fun right now. ... Navarre is finally starting to look like Navarre of last year. ... OSU starts on its 40 after a halo violation. The Buckeyes need 25 yards to give Nugent a chance with the wind. ... Finally, OSU is moving the ball with the short pass. ... 6:25 to go and 4th and a foot on the Michigan 36. A national title team converts this. ... Krenzel gets it with ease. ... Now they're in Nugent territory. The Buckeyes can open it up. ... 25-yard pass to Clarett. Are we really so sure this kid isn't ready for the NFL? ... Clarett down to the four. If OSU can get this into the end zone, Michigan will get this down five with about 4:40 to go. This is getting fun now. ... I was about to rip on OSU for not having Clarett in, then the Buckeyes ran a beautiful option to the left side for Maurice Hall for a touchdown. I thought OSU might've been called for a false start, but maybe I didn't see it right. ... Ohio State 14 ... Michigan 9 ... Why not go for two right there? A Michigan touchdown wins the game. As shaky as the UM kicking game is, the extra point wouldn't be a lock. Being up five does you no more good with 4:40 to go than being up four. ...Why isn't the crowd more into it? They should be roaring right now, but they seem too scared. ... That wasn't a false start on the touchdown. My bad. ... Tai Streets, where are you? ... You don't think people in Iowa City, Pullman, Norman and Athens aren't ready to go out and buy John Navarre jerseys if he can get this done? ... Fourth and four with 3:22 to go on its own 43, Michigan is going for it. This is the right call. You might not get better field position than this again. ... Navarre comes up clutch with a brilliant throw to Bellamy. ... This is going to be REALLY close. If Michigan wins this, this'll be the most heartbreaking Buckeye loss by far. ... 3rd and five, I'd run the ball. You're going to go for it on fourth down anyway. ... Shows you what I know. Michigan gets the first down on a Navarre pass. ... Two minutes to play ... Fumble by Navarre and Ohio State might be going to the national title. Will Smith just cements himself on the All-Big Ten team and makes one of the biggest plays in OSU history. ... Clarett is in the game, but I'm not so sure I'd have him running the ball right now. With his shoulder, one good pop and he's fumbling it. ... Michigan is still going to have one last heave into the end zone. ... These goal posts have about 1:57 of life left. ... The crowd still seems scared. Over the TV, there appears to be a nervous rumble. ... Anthony Davis 301 yards and five touchdowns against Minnesota. ... :58 to play. If Michigan gets this done, then can we call it even after the Kordell play? ... This could be the first time in the history of recorded man that the prevent defense actually worked. ... Unbelievable. Navarre keeps the drive alive on 4th down with a completion. The Wolverines aren't going to make this easy on the Buckeye fans. ... I'm nervous and I don't really care what happens. I can't even imagine what I'd be feeling like if I'm wearing scarlet and gray right now. ... Gamble gets called for pass interference. Michigan is going to get an honest shot at the end zone. ... Navarre is the MAN. With seven seconds to play, Michigan has two shots at the end zone from the 23. ... One second to go! This makes up for the Michigan State game for Michigan. ... I'll say it. This would be the most painful loss in college football history if Michigan gets this done. ... Oh was that close. Picked off in the end zone. You can't ask for more of a shot than that if you're a Michigan fan. ... What an ending! Does anyone own Ohio more than Jim Tressel does right now? He's going to the national title and he's talking like he sounds as excited as he'd be if he just got a free extra taco in his bag.
Final Score: Ohio State 14 ... Michigan 9
