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Game Thread Game Eleven: Ohio state 25, Michigan 21 (final)

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timBUCK2 said:
I just googled "ross ryan" touchbacks and got lucky :) It would be nice if the major stats sites recorded touchbacks - you wouldn't think it would be that hard...

BTW I added the link to the last post.
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yeah, it would be a worthwhile stat to have available. let's hope that ryan is given a k ball for each kickoff. let's also hope that he's well under 50 percent this saturday.
 
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4 Days until
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...and Michigan still sucks.
 
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About the revitalized scUM D.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

U-M set for spread

Defense worked in offseason to stop OSU

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- It was no secret coming into this season that Michigan's much-maligned defense of a year ago was going to be scrutinized this fall.

After all, it had spiraled downward so quickly in three of the final four games, and Michigan became known as a team incapable of stopping a running quarterback out of a spread offense.

During those three games in which the Wolverines went 1-2 with losses to Ohio State and Texas in the Rose Bowl, the defense yielded averages of 37 points and 475 yards, including 279 rushing.

Defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann took the majority of the heat.

Callers to sports-talk radio shows and fans writing on Internet message boards demanded immediate changes; mainly, Herrmann's removal.

But Herrmann didn't go anywhere.

Instead, he focused his offseason on studying the defense of the spread and during preaseason camp and spring practice, half the time was devoted to implementing that defense.

The offseason work has paid dividends.

Michigan is 3-0 against Big Ten teams that utilize the spread -- Michigan State, Penn State and Northwestern.

Now comes the 17th-ranked Wolverines' biggest test, in ninth-ranked Ohio State, on Saturday at Michigan Stadium, in a game that could determine the Big Ten's BCS representative.

OSU quarterback Troy Smith, who burned Michigan in last season's 37-21 victory with 386 yards, including 145 yards rushing and three touchdowns, is back.

In their last four games this season, the Buckeyes have averaged 40 points and 452 yards. They have outscored their opponents, 208-74, in those games, and in the last six games, they have outscored teams, 55-7, in the fourth quarter.

"They're extremely balanced and they're extremely explosive, and they have a guy (Smith) touching the football every down that can make a lot of things happen," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said of Ohio State's offense. "And any time you are dealing with that type of explosiveness, that type of ability to be balanced, to run it and throw it, you have got a challenge and certainly our defense has a challenge."

Michigan's defense is playing its best football late in the season, however. The primary evidence was in the Wolverines' 33-17 victory at Northwestern. The Wildcats entered the game averaging 214 yards rushing and were held to 89 by Michigan. They also were held to well below their 37.1 points-per-game average.

Former coach Bob Davie, now a television analyst, recently praised Herrmann for Michigan's success against the spread this season.

"I think really they have done a great job because they had a plan," Davie said. "In the spring, they put in the spread offense, and they worked against the spread a lot. They went into (this season) knowing they need to get better at defending it.

"I thought the job Jim Herrmann did in Evanston (against Northwestern) was outstanding. He disguised coverages. For the first time all year, (NU quarterback) Brett Basanez was off-balance, and there was a lot of miscommunication with his receivers, and that's the first time all year that's happened. The reason is because I thought Jim Herrmann had a plan. I think he deserves a lot of credit for hanging in there, as does Michigan's team."

Michigan safety Willis Barringer said Herrmann had a plan coming into this season.

"I wouldn't say he was different, but I think he was more detail-oriented," Barringer said. "I would say he took it upon himself to take all the blame (last season), when really, the players, we didn't go out there and execute."

The Wolverines are in the top four in all Big Ten defensive categories entering the Ohio State game. They are third in total defense (373.9), and nationally are ranked 36th.

Any way they look at it, the Wolverines believe they have reinvented themselves on defense. Some of the credit, they said, goes to first-year line coach Steve Stripling, who preached a back-to-fundamentals approach heading into the season.

Much of the credit for Michigan's improvement against the spread goes to Herrmann, who said before the first game that he used last year as a learning experience.

Now, this doesn't mean Michigan hasn't given up big plays this season -- that has happened and contributed to the 3-3 start -- but the glaring inconsistencies have not been as apparent.

"It's important to move on and realize, you know, this is a whole different defense," said senior defensive lineman Pat Massey, a co-captain. "But all of us on that defense last year, the majority of us, (are back). So yeah, we're not going to forget losing to Ohio State that badly last year. We're not going to forget that, our defensive performance last year.

"At the same time, we do realize this is a whole new defense. We've got a new identity -- there's a lot new about us."

Breaston is honored

Junior receiver Steve Breaston was named the Big Ten co-special teams player of the week for his 201 all-purpose yards against Indiana last Saturday. Breaston, who played only the first half, is second on the Big Ten career list with 1,195 punt-return yards.

On the tube

ABC's coverage of the Michigan-Ohio State game will cover nearly 70 percent of the country, while the other 30 percent will see the game on ESPN. The cable network also is airing the game internationally.

You can reach Angelique S. Chengelis at [email protected].
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11/15/05


<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Game Data: Ohio State at Michigan

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Chad Henne

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Steve Helwagen
Managing Editor
Date: Nov 15, 2005

We take a look at the pertinent data, television coverage, depth charts and one man's prediction on Saturday's 102nd rendition of The Game, the Ohio State-Michigan game, set for 1 p.m. on ABC. Click this free link for more.
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Game Data: Ohio State at Michigan
* Date, Time: Sat., Nov. 19, 1 p.m. (Eastern)
* Location: Ohio Stadium
* TV: ABC (70 percent of the nation will get this game on ABC; the remaining 30 percent – primarily the West Coast -- should be able to watch it live on ESPN).

* 2005 Records, Rankings: Ohio State, 8-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten, ranked ninth in Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches poll; Michigan, 7-3 overall, 5-2 Big Ten, ranked 17th in AP poll and USA Today coaches poll.

* Coaches: Ohio State, Jim Tressel (fifth year at OSU, 48-13; 20th year overall, 183-70-2; vs. Michigan, 3-1); Michigan, Lloyd Carr (11th year at UM, 102-32; vs. OSU, 6-4).

* Series History: Michigan leads the all-time series 57-38-6, including 30-17-4 in Ann Arbor. OSU won 37-21 last year in Columbus and has won three of the last four in the series. But Michigan has won seven of the last eight in Ann Arbor. The series is dead even at 24-24-2 over the last 50 years. For a complete look at the OSU-Michigan rivalry, click this link:
History of the OSU-Michigan Rivalry

* Michigan Schedule: Sept. 3, Northern Illinois, W 33-17; Sept. 10, Notre Dame, L 17-10; Sept. 17, Eastern Michigan, W 55-0; Sept. 24, at Wisconsin, L 23-20; Oct. 1, at Michigan State, W 34-31 (OT); Oct. 8, Minnesota, L 23-20; Oct. 15, Penn State, W 27-25; Oct. 22, at Iowa, W 23-20 (OT); Oct. 29, at Northwestern, W 33-17; Nov. 12, Indiana, W 41-14; Nov. 19, Ohio State.

* Michigan Key Players (2005 Stats): QB Chad Henne (177 of 303 passing, 2,033 yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs), RB Mike Hart (122 catches, 573 yards, 4 TDs), WR Kevin Grady (110 carries, 455 yards, 4 TDs), WR Jason Avant (70 catches, 900 yards, 7 TDs), WR Mario Manningham (20 catches, 341 yards, 5 TDs), WR Steve Breaston (18 catches, 230 yards, 2 TDs), ILB David Harris (72 tackles, 5 TFLs), OLB Prescott Burgess (67 tackles, 4 TFLs), CB Grant Mason (72 tackles, 2 INTs), RLB LaMarr Woodley (41 tackles, 14 TFLs, 5 sacks).

* Michigan Fast Facts: Location: Ann Arbor, Mich.; Enrollment, 36,031; Nickname, Wolverines; Colors, Maize and Blue; Stadium, Michigan Stadium (surface, FieldTurf; capacity, 107,501).

Depth Charts
Ohio State Offense

SE 4 Santonio Holmes, 5-11, 190, Jr.
8 Roy Hall, 6-3, 240, Jr.
LT 50 Doug Datish, 6-5, 295, Jr.
75 Alex Boone, 6-8, 315, Fr.
LG 77 Rob Sims, 6-4, 310, Sr.
59 John Conroy, 6-3, 295, Sr.
C 55 Nick Mangold, 6-4, 290, Sr.
50 Doug Datish, 6-5, 295, Jr.
RG 72 T.J. Downing, 6-5, 305, Jr.
59 John Conroy, 6-3, 295, Sr.
RT 74 Kirk Barton, 6-7, 325, So.
or 75 Alex Boone, 6-8, 315, Fr.
TE 81 Marcel Frost, 6-5, 255, So.
87 Brandon Smith, 6-3, 240, R-Fr.
FL 7 Ted Ginn Jr., 6-0, 175, So.
5 Albert Dukes, 6-1, 190, R-Fr.
QB 10 Troy Smith, 6-1, 215, Jr.
12 Justin Zwick, 6-4, 225, Jr.
TB 25 Antonio Pittman, 5-11, 195, So.
34 Maurice Wells, 5-10, 185, Fr.
FB 89 Stan White Jr., 6-3, 242, Jr.
49 Dionte Johnson, 6-0, 250, So.
SL 11 Anthony Gonzalez, 6-0, 195, So.
85 Brian Robiskie, 6-3, 190, Fr.
K 23 Josh Huston, 6-1, 195, Sr.
85 Ryan Pretorius, 5-10, 190, R-Fr.
Ohio State Defense

DE 97 David Patterson, 6-3, 285, Jr.
99 Jay Richardson, 6-6, 276, Jr.
DT 94 Marcus Green, 6-3, 290, Sr.
97 David Patterson, 6-3, 285, Jr.
DT 90 Quinn Pitcock, 6-3, 295, Jr.
98 Joel Penton, 6-5, 290, Jr.
DE 57 Mike Kudla, 6-3, 265, Sr.
50 Vernon Gholston, 6-4, 260, So.
SLB 42 Bobby Carpenter, 6-3, 255, Sr.
33 James Laurinaitis, 6-3, 231, Fr.
MLB 51 Anthony Schlegel, 6-1, 251, Sr.
5 Mike D’Andrea, 6-3, 248, Jr.
WLB 47 A.J. Hawk, 6-1, 240, Sr.
52 John Kerr, 6-1, 246, Jr.
CB 26 Ashton Youboty, 6-1, 188, Jr.
2 Malcolm Jenkins, 6-1, 180, Fr.
FS 21 Nate Salley, 6-3, 220, Sr.
32 Brandon Mitchell, 6-3, 205, Jr.
SS 9 Donte Whitner, 5-11, 205, Jr.
3 Jamario O’Neal, 6-1, 180, Fr.
CB 6 Tyler Everett, 5-11, 202, Sr.
2 Malcolm Jenkins, 6-1, 180, Fr.
NB 32 Brandon Mitchell, 6-3, 205, Jr.
34 Rob Harley, 6-2, 202, Sr.
P 15 A.J. Trapasso, 6-1, 220, R-Fr.
LS 68 Drew Norman, 6-0, 230, Jr.
Michigan Offense

WR 15 Steve Breaston, 6-1, 178, Sr.
86 Mario Manningham, 6-0, 183, Fr.
LT 79 Adam Stenavich, 6-5, 321, Sr.
76 Mike Kolodziej, 6-7, 323, Sr.
LG 65 Leo Henige, 6-4, 328, Sr.
73 Alex Mitchell, 6-5, 314, So.
C 57 Adam Kraus, 6-6, 307, Jr.
54 Mark Bihl, 6-5, 303, Sr.
RG 67 Matt Lentz, 6-6, 311, Sr.
73 Alex Mitchell, 6-5, 314, So.
RT 77 Jake Long, 6-7, 330, Jr.
or 72 Rueben Riley, 6-4, 311, Sr.
TE 88 Tim Massaquoi, 6-4, 252, Sr.
or 89 Tyler Ecker, 6-6, 251, Sr.
QB 7 Chad Henne, 6-2, 226, So.
12 Matt Gutierrez, 6-4, 231, Sr.
TB 20 Mike Hart, 5-9, 193, So.
3 Kevin Grady, 5-9, 227, Fr.
FB 34 Will Paul, 6-3, 261, Jr.
35 Brian Thompson, 6-2, 237, Sr.
WR 8 Jason Avant, 6-1, 213, Sr.
17 Carl Tabb, 6-2, 196, Sr.
K 38 Garrett Rivas, 5-9, 216, Jr.
Michigan Defense

RLB 56 LaMarr Woodley, 6-2, 274, Jr.
99 Pierre Woods, 6-5, 249, Sr.
NT 78 Gabe Watson, 6-4, 331, Sr.
67 Terrance Taylor, 6-0, 301, Fr.
DT 94 Pat Massey, 6-8, 283, Sr.
97 Will Johnson, 6-5, 291, So.
DE 80 Alan Branch, 6-6, 311, So.
91 Rondell Biggs, 6-3, 270, Sr.
OLB 6 Prescott Burgess, 6-3, 243, Jr.
2 Shawn Crable, 6-5, 247, Jr.
ILB 45 Dave Harris, 6-2, 251, Sr.
49 John Thompson, 6-1, 229, So.
ILB 37 Chris Graham, 5-11, 224, So.
36 Scott McClintock, 6-2, 244, Sr.
CB 29 Leon Hall, 5-11, 194, Jr.
14 Morgan Trent, 6-0, 190, So.
SS 31 Brandent Englemon, 5-11, 202, Jr.
22 Jamar Adams, 6-2, 208, So.
FS 19 Willis Barringer, 6-0, 207, Sr.
27 Brandon Harrison, 5-9, 199, Fr.
CB 13 Grant Mason, 6-0, 192, Sr.
4 Darnell Hood, 5-11, 193, Sr.
P 3 Ross Ryan, 6-1, 206, Sr. Breaking It Down
* When Ohio State Has The Ball: Ohio State comes into The Game off, perhaps, its best four-game run on offense in 10 years. It is at least the first time since 1995 that the Buckeyes have tallied 40 or more points in four straight games. Of course, the last time it happened in 1995, OSU was cooled off at Michigan with a 31-23 loss that spoiled an unbeaten season.

But OSU has an edge on Michigan – at least on this side of the ball – in experience and, perhaps, confidence. It was pretty much this same OSU offense that hung 37 points on the Wolverines a year ago at Ohio Stadium. I’m not sure Troy Smith will duplicate his incredible showing from a year ago, and I’m not sure he has to.

The emergence of tailback Antonio Pittman and a viable running game – ranked clear up at No. 25 nationally at 196.7 yards per game – has truly helped open things up for the OSU offense. The offensive line has matured before our very eyes and is now prepared for another huge challenge. Michigan’s defense ranks third in the Big Ten at 340.6 yards per game as the Wolverines have traded the star power of players like Marlin Jackson and Ernest Shazor for some solid play makers.

Smith has improved with each passing game, although he did throw his first interception in several weeks against Northwestern. If he and receivers Santonio Holmes (who torched UM for two touchdowns two years ago there) and Ted Ginn Jr. can make some music, the Buckeyes could be in good shape here.

* When Michigan Has The Ball: It has been an uneven effort for Michigan. Its freshman stars of a year ago – quarterback Chad Henne and tailback Mike Hart – have each been victims of the dreaded sophomore jinx. Henne has been inconsistent at times, but you could do a whole lot worse than a 2,000-yard season and 19 passing TDs. Hart has been hurt and that has impacted his effectiveness, although bullish freshman Kevin Grady has filled in admirably.

The injury bug has also hit do-it-all star Steve Breaston as well as the offensive line, where right tackle Jake Long is considered questionable this week. Jason Avant has been a steady threat at wide receiver, though.
Michigan will likely try and establish the run, probably with a combination of Grady and Hart, who sat out last week’s rout of Indiana. The Wolverines are a distant seventh in the Big Ten rushing yards per game (177.7) and better teams than them have died trying to run the ball against this staunch defense (second nationally vs. the rush at 78.7 yards per game and fifth nationally in total defense at 277.3 ypg).

The big key for me will be how OSU pressures Henne in the third-down and obvious passing situations. OSU has piled up the sacks against lesser teams. But if the Buckeyes can’t get to Henne – as they did not against Minnesota’s Bryan Cupito – he could make it a long day.

* How It Will Go: This is a great match-up of two outstanding defensive teams and two offenses that are just starting to find themselves. Michigan has the obvious homefield advantage and it has been pronounced in this series with OSU claiming just one win in Ann Arbor since 1987.

But this is a veteran Ohio State team that defeated Michigan handily a year ago in Columbus. Yes, they wilted a bit at Penn State. But the OSU defense – led by All-American linebacker A.J. Hawk – seems equal to any challenge.

This game could hinge on one or more special teams plays that will swing the momentum and field position edge one way or the other. And for some reason I see Ginn and/or Holmes making those plays. The Buckeyes will lock down at least a share of their 30th Big Ten championship with a rare win in Michigan Stadium. I’ve got it: Ohio State 34-24

* For The Record: I am 8-2 straight-up and 6-4 against-the-spread with Ohio State. (As of Monday, OSU was listed as a 2-1/2 point favorite.)
On this week’s Bucknuts Radio Hour, Jerry Rudzinski predicted OSU 27-20, Kirk Larrabee said OSU 24-20 and Mr. Bucknuts went OSU 27-14. Tom Beaver of GoBlueWolverine.com picked Michigan 24-23.

-- Steve Helwagen
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11/15/05

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Tressel, Hawk Look Ahead To Michigan

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Jim Tressel

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Dave Biddle
Assistant Editor
Date: Nov 14, 2005

Ohio State is 3-1 against Michigan under Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes can make this season a success with another victory over the Wolverines. Tressel met with reporters for the only time this week on Monday and discussed "The Game" and how OSU has progressed this year. We also have comments from senior outside linebacker A.J. Hawk.
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Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel met with the media Monday to discuss the matchup with archrival Michigan in Ann Arbor Saturday (1 p.m., ABC, or ESPN).


“Well, as always, a tremendously exciting week,” Tressel said. “Whenever Ohio State (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) and Michigan (7-3, 5-2) get together, as (former OSU coach Earle) Bruce always reminds us, it's kind of a season unto itself and tremendous privilege to play in this ball game.

“I think both teams are playing the best they've been playing all season. People often ask why is this such a special ball game and often what we've said is the fact that, number one, it's Ohio State and Michigan.

Number two, it's your last regular season game and you'd like to think that you've improved and you've gotten as good as you can possibly get each day and you head into this ballgame excited that you'll play as well as you're capable of playing in an atmosphere that's extraordinary. Playing at our stadium or playing at the Big House, it's a tremendous thrill and an honor and we're excited to make sure we have a great week of preparation.

“One of the things that I think you have to do in the course of this week is make sure that you understand why you're so excited and it's probably the reason that most of our guys came to Ohio State was in large part to be a part of this game. And in large part, I'm sure many of the folks at Michigan went there to be a part of this game as well, but you've got to make sure that you prepare and make sure that you do play your finest game of the season in a regular season finale.”

Tressel owns a 3-1 record over Michigan and coach Lloyd Carr. It’s been refreshing for OSU fans who endured former coach John Cooper’s 2-10-1 run against the Wolverines.

Tressel was asked to identify the personality of a Carr team.

“Personality of a Lloyd Carr team? Well, the one I'm focused on right now is this one, and the thing that I've been impressed with is, you know, it's a group that has a lot of pride and where they are and who they are and in each other and they've battled through some tough breaks and some close losses early in the season and they've just banded together and they're tough. They never stop playing and I guess that's one of the other reasons that it's so much fun to be a part of this is that's the personality of Michigan teams. Lloyd Carr teams, Bo Schembechler teams, and all the rest and this one's just like it.”

Michigan’s defense struggled quite a bit last season. But this year, the Wolverines’ defense is a much improved unit.

“Well, they've got great size and speed along with it, and they've now had a chance to play a lot of games together and they fly around,” Tressel said. “I think your defense starts on the line of scrimmage and when you have the power they have on the line of scrimmage and their back end people are smart, I think they do a great job of applying pressure. We talk often the game of football is about applying pressure and I think they do a good job applying pressure strategically you know, as well as with their size and speed and as you look at their numbers along the course of the year, you know, they're an excellent defensive football team.”

Tressel was asked if there seems to be more pressure on UM this season since Carr is just 1-3 against Tressel.

“Pressure is applied because it's the Ohio State-Michigan game,” he said.

“You know, I don't know that it's any different, according to what happened last year or the last time you played there or any of that type of thing. You know as you look at the Ohio State-Michigan games, the team that plays and doesn't make mistakes and comes up with the big plays -- you know, when guys come back at reunions, they talk about the guy that made the big play in the Ohio State-Michigan game. That's just the legacy that's left and I'm sure the same thing goes up there when people come back and talk about the great pride they have in their program. It's who made the plays in the Ohio State-Michigan game.”

Tressel was asked how conscious he was of the fact, when he took the OSU job, that win-loss record against Michigan would define his career.
“Well, I had been here for three years with Coach Bruce and he was an Ohio State graduate and a proud Ohio State coach, and working for him here, there was no question that, you know, the 11th game was a season unto itself,” Tressel said. “But I don't know that I ever thought about the record, you just thought about the importance of representing Ohio State in this game. And Coach Bruce reminds us often, because we have good fortune that he's here a lot and he reminds us often, reminds our players often, that your legacy is the Ohio State-Michigan game and that's our culture, but that's why it's exciting to play in it, because it's important.”

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith had his personal coming out party in last year’s game – a 37-21 OSU win – with nearly 400 yards of total offense. It was the best statistical performance by an OSU quarterback in the history of the rivalry.

“Troy made a lot of good decisions and we always say that if you start with making good decisions, then usually those other things that we really need to happen have a good chance of coming true,” Tressel said. “Like eliminating turnovers and like coming up with some big plays and I thought Troy did an excellent job. As you study that film, there were some times where, you know, the route we had called or whatever wasn't there and he made the good decision of not to throw it, not to force it, you know, not to have his mind made up in the huddle that it was going to be there and only take what was there and if it wasn't, throw it away. He had a couple great throwaways in that game that -- you know, there was nothing there and we could have lost some yards and so forth and those are good decisions. So, I would say that any excellent quarterback play begins with a guy making good decisions.”

Smith’s play has improved nearly every week this season. Tressel was asked why Smith has been able to progress so well.

“You know, I would like to think that every day he gains just a little bit more knowledge,” he said. “We always talk about the fact that the good player slows the game down so they can make good decisions. And the more you're around something, the more you can slow it down. And you're a little bit more aware of, hey, this is what happens and you slow down and make good decisions and I think he's progressed there.”

Tressel was asked if the fans’ expectations of Smith were too high at the beginning of this season with everyone thinking he could duplicate his performance against Michigan.

“Yeah, I think (they were),” he said. “It wouldn't be unfair to say that the general population is a highlight population. They don't sit and watch the film and they don't sit and watch practice and see the things that we don't do well. What they watch is they see the same play time after time after time and, you know, that becomes, ‘Oh, that's what they do.’ It was a little bit like what Teddy (Ginn) went through, you know, at the beginning of the season and so forth, everyone had watched his highlights all winter long and all spring long and preseason so every play was going to be a 60-yard punt return whether they had good coverage or not, but that's okay. We're glad they watch our highlights.”

The Buckeyes have scored 40 or more points in four consecutive games, marking the first time since 1995 they have accomplished that feat. Tressel was asked why his offense has been more explosive lately.
“Well, we've made a lot of big plays, but I don't think you can discount where we've had a chance to start drives,” he said. “Our defense has been very good, our special teams has had some returns and the punt block last week was a great. Great thing for us to all of a sudden we have a two touchdown lead after we were down by a touchdown. So, I think if you add all those things together… but we've had some guys come up and make some plays.”

Tressel was asked to reveal his favorite part of Michigan week.
“The game,” he said without hesitation. “There's no question it's -- you know, the preparation's fun and the process and watching the film and sitting there guessing and, you know, ‘I wonder if they'll do this. I wonder if they'll play us like they played them.’”

“What's hard about this week, I've found, is you have so many films. In the Big Ten we exchange 11 games or 10 games, then you have last year's game so you have so many films you're trying to study. Whereas in the middle of the year you might have three or four films. But it is fun watching all that and you think you have a little handle on it and you go back and look at this team and say, ‘Oh, boy they played this team a little bit differently.’ That's fun, but nothing like the game.”

Ohio State went two straight seasons without a 1,000-yard rusher. But sophomore Antonio Pittman has stepped up this year with a tremendous season and is one of the top backs in the Big Ten with 1,110 rushing yards.

“Well, our goal as we went into the year was to move toward being able to be a balanced football team,” Tressel said. “We've talked about that often here. In fact, I said to Pitt before the season that, you know, ‘If we want to reach a lot of the goals that we say we would like to do, we need a guy that can rush for 1500 yards.’ Because then you know if we've got a 1500-yard rusher, we probably are going to be able to throw it a little bit too. And we're not there, and it might be hard to get there, but, you know, I feel good about our progress and I think it helps us.”

Michigan has a fine back in its own right in sophomore Mike Hart. He’s battled injuries throughout the season, but he is expected to be healthy for the OSU game. He could have played last week against Indiana, but the Wolverines wanted to save him for the Buckeyes.

“I think that Hart is one of those electric guys that, you know, he has a chance to bring along the people that are around him,” Tressel said. “But that's not to say anything less about the guys they've got carrying it now. Shoot, those guys, they run the football well and I would imagine that we'll see a number of backs on Saturday and I would expect Hart to be one of them.”

Michigan sophomore quarterback Chad Henne has struggled at times this season, but he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the conference and has an extremely strong arm. Tressel was asked to compare Henne to some of the quarterbacks the Buckeyes have faced this year.

“Well, Henne's different than, for instance, (Texas’ Vince) Young, or (Penn State’s Michael) Robinson,” Tressel said. “He's going to throw it a little bit more and he's got the -- you know, he can throw that field out on a rope and so forth. And he's now got, what, 20-some games of experience. And what I admire about him is it's hard to be the quarterback at Michigan, just like it's hard to be the quarterback at Ohio State. When things go OK, it's wonderful. If it doesn't, all of a sudden, people wonder about you and I think he's handled it well and he's stood in there and playing great football right now. I think they had 41 points at half time last week and, you know, so he's a little bit different, though, than some of the guys we've faced.”

Tressel was asked if there might be too much importance placed on the OSU-UM game.

“Well, you don't have that decision,” Tressel said. “Everyone decides on what importance they assign to something and, you know, the Ohio State-Michigan game, I think the decision was made long before we were ever here that that's a big game. Voted as the greatest rivalry in college football, and there's some great rivalries. So, you know, if you're not interested in being a part of that pressure, you'd better not play in this game.”

Tressel also spoke about the tradition of OSU’s players and coaches receiving gold pants for each win over Michigan.

“Well, it's a great tradition,” he said. “Started back in the 30s and we've kept them in the family and they're a prized possessions and it's something that you're very proud of. I don't wear them around or anything like that, it's just something that any one of those you get is very precious. Just like if you're at Michigan, any time you beat Ohio State it's precious because it's a big game.”

Hawk’s view
For the players, it’s almost a relief they can finally talk about Michigan. All year, they claim they never look ahead and think about “The Game.” But now that the week is here, players like linebacker A.J. Hawk can let their hair down (literally) and talk about the matchup.

“Yeah, that’s true, it is nice,” Hawk said. “This is one of the biggest weeks in college football and it’s great to be a part of it. I think the whole season it’s in the back of your mind, this game. And now that the week is here I think we’re all going to soak it up and make sure we’re working hard and make sure we’re at our best Saturday.”

Hawk was asked what advice he might give OSU’s young players about going up to Michigan Stadium.

“I just think people need to realize on this team how tough it is to go into a place like Michigan and win,” he said. “If you let them get on you early, it’s tough to come back once they get momentum going. They have a great stadium, great fans and it’s tough to play on the road because all you have is the 70 guys with you. We know that’s tough and you have to be there to realize it. I think that’s the good thing about this team is a lot of guys did experience that. (The 2003) game didn’t turn out the way we would have liked. It was a tough loss, but it was a learning experience as well.”

Hawk was asked if the OSU-UM game is a “one game season.”

“I don’t think you can call it a one game season, but it is the game that people talk about and the game that people in Ohio really stress about and talk about all year that this is kind of what it all leads up to,” he said. “And every year I think it is a special rivalry because every year we know we’re going to be playing Michigan the last game of the season and everyone is going to be looking at this game. Regardless of what teams records are, it’s going to be a huge game and it’s just going to be whoever comes out and plays the best.”

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ABJ

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Rumors part of rivalry

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Ohio State seniors hope to defeat Michigan one more time
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[SIZE=-1]By Marla Ridenour[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-1]Beacon Journal sportswriter[/SIZE]
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<!-- begin body-content --> COLUMBUS - Ohio State's Anthony Schlegel knew the craziness of Michigan week was upon him Sunday when he heard an outlandish rumor about fellow senior linebacker A.J. Hawk.
``People were talking about A.J. breaking his leg and stuff like that and you're like, `OK, whatever,' '' Schlegel said.
When news outlets started to report Hawk was in a car accident, a reporter from his hometown paper, the Dayton Daily News, was forced to call Hawk's father, Keith. The elder Hawk quickly shot it down.
`` `Pistol' will do that,'' senior center Nick Mangold, Hawk's roommate, said in reference to Hawk's dad. ``He gets fired up about those things.''
Mangold suspects the talk got started in Michigan, but acknowledged, ``That's a big rumor to get passed down that far.'' Hawk, a Butkus Award finalist, had no clue where it came from and didn't seem to care.
``Who knows? Some guy sitting in his basement somewhere,'' Hawk said.
But the Buckeyes are well aware that guys in their basements all over the country want to feel like they're a part of Saturday's 1 p.m. clash between No. 9 Ohio State and No. 17 Michigan. Even if it takes Internet rumor-mongering to tap into arguably the game's greatest rivalry.
``Being the way the tradition is around here, this is what you live and die for,'' junior split end Santonio Holmes said. ``You want to play against teams like this. You want to be in the biggest rivalry. You want to be in the spotlight. You don't want to be on the losing end.
``When I'm driving my car or guys see me on the street they tell me, `Go get 'em. Beat Michigan.' ''
OSU coach Jim Tressel pushed up player interviews a day and will put the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on lockdown the rest of the week. Holmes raised eyebrows when he said there was a quote from a Michigan player regarding an Ohio State player already on their bulletin board, but wouldn't elaborate.
While Tressel tries to limit salvos from the Buckeyes that will inspire the Wolverines, he's also trying to keep them from peaking too soon.
``Walking into the meeting room yesterday, we're like, `Are you ready to go?' '' senior free safety Nate Salley said of Tressel. ``He has a big ol' grin on his face and he's like, `Yeah, but we can't be ready to play now. You've got to calm down and relax and get your mind right.' ''
Salley said the normally even-keeled Tressel seemed different this week.
``Just like everyone else, he's a little more excited,'' Salley said. ``All the banners go up all over the facility and there's just a lot more energy around this place. That's in everyone.''
Sunday's team meeting included a fiery speech by former coach Earle Bruce (an annual event under Tressel) and a private show by the Ohio State band. Salley was chosen to dot the ``I.''
The Buckeyes didn't need Bruce to remind them that a share of the Big Ten title and a possible at-large BCS bowl bid is at stake in Michigan Stadium. But Tressel also has been dangling another carrot for months -- the legacy the class of 16 seniors can leave if it defeats Michigan.
``He's always planting little seeds,'' Salley said of Tressel. ``Ohio State-Michigan talk goes around at all times and that popped up at one point, us either being 2-2 or 3-1. That's definitely a legacy we want to leave, being 3-1 against Michigan. That would be huge for us.''
Tressel's first recruiting class has seen it all -- the 2002 national championship when they were freshmen, the Maurice Clarett controversies, three consecutive losses in 2004, quarterback Troy Smith's two-game suspension, heartbreaking setbacks against Texas and Penn State this season that ended their hopes of playing in the Rose Bowl. Dominating Michigan would be a lifetime calling card for the seniors.
``I had three years working for coach Bruce, an Ohio State graduate, and there was no question that the 11th game was a season unto itself,'' Tressel said. ``I don't know that I ever thought about the record. You just thought about the importance of representing Ohio State in this game. Coach Bruce reminds us often that your legacy is the Ohio State-Michigan game.''
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Cleveland PD

Big Game has it all, but is it end-all?


Tuesday, November 15, 2005Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- At some point Sunday, a rumor began circulating that Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk had broken his leg in a car accident. Not true.
"He had a broken leg?" his roommate, Ohio State center Nick Mangold, asked Monday. "Yesterday, he was [lying] there not cleaning. Nah, he was cleaning. I can't say that. He'll get fired up and it'll cause household problems."
Sunday night, former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce delivered his yearly speech to the Buckeyes on the game of the year.
"He was telling us it makes him feel 15 years younger every time this week comes," linebacker Anthony Schlegel said.
By Monday, quotes from the opposition were already posted in the Buckeyes' locker room.
"It's just some stuff that was said about one of the guys," receiver Santonio Holmes said.
Panic. Pep talks. Bulletin board material. It must be Michigan week, the 102nd edition of this rivalry preparing to overshadow two hard-to-define seasons for the participants. That's the case every year, this one-game season the No. 1 criteria in the definition of a season's success, like it or not.
"The season is long and grueling and hard," said Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, on the fence about the all-or-nothing nature of the Big Game. "But if you do have a good game against that team, then everything is pretty much going to be A-OK for the rest of the year."
This season, the simplistic approach makes sense. The winner can feel good. The loser must feel bad. There is no real underdog, with Ohio State a three-point favorite on the road, and there will be no real upset. After starting the year with national title hopes, a win for Ohio State would leave the Buckeyes at 9-2, with at least a share of the Big Ten title and a chance at a BCS Bowl. After a 3-3 start, a win for the Wolverines would be their fifth in a row, their rousing finish providing the sponge to wipe away their stumbling start.
"Everyone in Buckeye nation really wants this game," senior offensive lineman Rob Sims said, "just like we want it. So there's pressure, but it's needed pressure. I think you embrace it and do everything a little extra hard all week."

There is more at stake for this senior class, which won a national title as freshmen. That's out of reach this season, but a win can fulfill the desire of keeping the Wolverines under their thumbs. Players like captains Hawk, Mangold, Sims and Nate Salley are 2-1 against Michigan. Coach Jim Tressel sidled up to Salley in the hallway Sunday to remind him what a win Saturday does to that record.
"Remember what I told you," Tressel said. "There's a big difference between 2-2 and 3-1."
Said Salley: "Before the season even started, we were talking about that. He's always planting those seeds, and that's one of them."
Sims remembers the sessions during each fall practice before the start of the season called Maize and Blue periods, opportunities for the Buckeyes to do extra things -- conditioning, jumping on fumbles -- that might pay off in the Big Game three months later. Defensive tackle Marcus Green remembers his friends asking the early-season questions, "Who do you play next?"
"Then they'd say, Make sure you beat Michigan,' " Green said, "and we'd have five games left. I think it does kind of overshadow everything, but I guess that's the way it's supposed to be."
"That's just how it goes," Salley said. "When you come here, you know what you're getting yourself in to. I know a lot of people would love to be part of this but can't be."
So the players embrace what they have this week, a chance to ease, or to amplify, the nagging losses to Texas and Penn State. The Michigan game does that.
"This is the game you will be remembered by in your career at Ohio State," linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. "Because nobody cares if you lose only four games in your career -- if all four of them are to Michigan, then you haven't done anything. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Not that any of them have a choice.
"Everyone decides on what importance they assign to something," Tressel said, "and the Ohio State-Michigan game, I think the decision was made long before we were ever here that that's a big game. If you're not interested in being a part of that pressure, you'd better not play in this game."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4748
 
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