OSU vs. Michigan

Five things to watch for:
1. Michigan leads the series 57-42-6, but OSU has won the last five meetings.
2. The Wolverines lead the Big Ten in scoring at 31.3 points per game, while the Buckeyes are allowing 12.4 — second in the conference.
3. OSU tops the conference in turnover margin at plus 12; the Wolverines are 10th at minus 8.
4. The Buckeyes are 10th in redzone offense at 75.6 percent, followed by the Wolverines at 68.9.
5. OSU’s offense is ranked fourth in the Big Ten at 30 points per outing, while the Wolverines are giving up 28.1.
OSU wins 24-13

In almost an afterthought after The Ohio State University and the University of Iowa’s game Saturday in the ’Shoe, the thought of Michigan came up.
The Buckeyes had just secured a share of the Big Ten title and earned a trip to a BCS bowl — the Rose Bowl —after their dramatic 27-24 overtime win over the Hawkeyes.
Of course, talk of playing Wolverines wasn’t too far away.
The players knew at the point they could enjoy the Iowa win for a few hours, then it was on to Michigan Week.
Even though OSU has a BCS bowl and a share of a fifth-straight conference championship locked up, Buckeye players said there’s incentive to win Saturday at the Big House in Ann Arbor.
They know that part of their legacy will be on what they do against Michigan. It doesn’t matter what the records are, what state each team is in.
The universities and fans know what’s at stake.
For Michigan, it is still trying to secure a sixth win — and become bowl eligible.
The Wolverines started strong at 4-0. There were rumblings that Michigan may have finally turned the corner.
But the Wolverines have won just once since Sept. 26 — that against FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) team Delaware State 63-6 Oct. 17.
Michigan has lost both blowouts and close ones.
At 5-6 overall, this has to be a better team that finished 3-8 last season and showed up in Columbus last season to get annihilated 42-7.
The success of the Wolverines start with true freshman quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson. Both run this uptempo offense.
Senior running back Brandon Minor has gained 502 yards, while senior Carlos Brown has chipped in with 480. Freshman Roy Roundtree and senior Greg Mathews lead the team with 23 receptions each.
The Buckeyes need to be aware of senior defensive end Brandon Graham. He’s a force and will garner some postseason honors both in the Big Ten and nationally. Graham has 57 tackles, 21 tackles for loss (which leads the nation) and 8.5 sacks.
Michigan can put up the points — a conference-leading 31.3 points per game.
They can give up the points as well — ranking ninth in the Big Ten by allowing 28.1 points per outing.
A OSU win will give the Buckeyes an outright Big Ten crown for the first time since 2007 and third straight victory at Michigan Stadium.
If OSU doesn’t bring back a win, Buckeye fans will not be happy.
Just ask former OSU coach John Cooper, who went 111-43-4 from 1988 to 2000, but just 2-10-1 against the Wolverines.
By contrast, current coach Jim Tressel is 7-1 against the Wolverines.
A Michigan win will give the Wolverines hope for the postseason. That is needed, especially with off the field issues surrounding the program this season.
Not going to a bowl game for the second straight season will not sit well with the folks in Ann Arbor. Michigan Stadium is going through a big renovation project.
Coach Rich Rodriguez may have a plan, but in this day of instant winning, he may not be around to see the results
The pressure is definitely on the Wolverines.