Ohio State at Michigan
OSU's Braxton Miller and Michigan's Denard Robinson will go toe to toe on Saturday at The Big House.
* Date, Time: Sat., Nov. 26, noon (Eastern)
* Location: Michigan Stadium; Ann Arbor, Mich.
* TV: ABC national telecast (announcers: Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman and Quint Kessenich).
* 2011 Records: Ohio State, 6-5 overall, 3-4 Big Ten; Michigan, 9-2 overall, 5-2 Big Ten.
* 2011 Rankings: Ohio State, unranked; Michigan, ranked 15th in the BCS standings, ranked 17th in AP poll and 16th in the USA Today coaches polll.
* Coaches: Ohio State, Luke Fickell (first year at OSU, 6-5; vs. Michigan, first meeting); Michigan, Brady Hoke (first year at UM, 9-2; ninth year overall, 56-52; vs. OSU, first meeting).
* Series History: This will be the 108th meeting all-time between the schools. Michigan leads the all-time series (since 1897 and every year since 1918) at 57-44-6. Michigan owns a 30-20-4 edge in Ann Arbor.
For the first time in the history of the rivalry, Ohio State has won seven games in a row against Michigan. That includes a 21-10 win in 2009 in Ann Arbor and a 37-7 win last year in Columbus. Michigan has not defeated Ohio State since taking a 35-21 win on Nov. 22, 2003, in Ann Arbor.
If OSU wins, its eight-game winning streak in the series would be the second longest since Michigan won nine in a row between 1901-09. OSU has won three games in a row in Ann Arbor. A win would mark the first time OSU has won four straight in Ann Arbor since 1961-67.
Click here for a complete look at the history of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, including one-of-a-kind photos.
* Michigan Schedule: Sept. 3, Western Michigan, W 34-10; Sept. 10, Notre Dame, W 35-31; Sept. 17, Eastern Michigan, W 31-3; Sept. 24, San Diego State, W 28-7; Oct. 1, Minnesota, W 58-0; Oct. 8, at Northwestern, W 42-24; Oct. 15, at Michigan State, L 28-14; Oct. 29, Purdue, W 36-14; Nov. 5, at Iowa, L 24-16; Nov. 12, at Illinois, W 31-14; Nov. 19, Nebraska, W 45-17; Nov. 26, Ohio State.
* Michigan Key Players (2011 Stats): QB Denard Robinson (119 of 220 passing, 1,889 yards, 15 TDs, 14 INTs; 182 carries, 993 yards, 14 TDs), RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (154 carries, 891 yards, 7 TDs), WR Junior Hemingway (30 catches, 591 yards, 1 TD), LB Kenny Demens (78 tackles, 4-1/2 TFLs, 2-1/2 sacks), S Jordan Kovacs (60 tackles, 6 TFLs, 3 sacks), DT Mike Martin (48 tackles, 5-1/2 TFLs, 3 sacks).
* Michigan Fast Facts: Location: Ann Arbor, Mich.; Enrollment, 38,820; Conference: Big Ten Conference; Nickname, Wolverines; Colors, Maize and Blue; Stadium, Michigan Stadium (surface, FieldTurf; capacity, 106,201).
* Ohio State Schedule: Sept. 3, Akron, W 42-0; Sept. 10, Toledo, W 27-22; Sept. 17, at Miami (Fla.), L 24-6; Sept. 24, Colorado, W 37-17; Oct. 1, Michigan State, L 10-7; Oct. 8, at Nebraska, L 34-27; Oct. 15, at Illinois, W 17-7; Oct. 29, Wisconsin, W 33-29; Nov. 5, Indiana, W 34-20; Nov. 12, at Purdue, L 26-23 (OT); Nov. 19, Penn State, L 20-14; Nov. 26, at Michigan.
* Ohio State Key Players (2011 Stats): QB Braxton Miller (53 of 109 passing, 762 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs; 128 carries, 595 yards, 6 TDs), RB Boom Herron (108 carries, 559 yards, 2 TD), RB Carlos Hyde (101 carries, 549 yards, 6 TDs), RB Jordan Hall (95 carries, 381 yards, 2 TDs), TE Jake Stoneburner (13 catches, 157 yards, 7 TDs), WR Devin Smith (11 catches, 241 yards, 4 TDs), WR Corey “Philly” Brown (12 catches, 129 yards), LB Andrew Sweat (68 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 INT), LB Etienne Sabino (50 tackles, 4-1/2 TFLs, 2 sacks), DE John Simon (43 tackles, 6 sacks, 13-1/2 TFLs), DT Johnathan Hankins (61 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks), DB C.J. Barnett (57 tackles, 2 INTs), DB Christian Bryant (59 tackles), CB Bradley Roby (38 tackles, 3-1/2 TFLs, 3 INTs).
Depth Charts
Ohio State Offense
WR 10 Corey “Philly” Brown, 5-11, 182, So.
15 Devin Smith, 6-3, 190, Fr.
LT 75 Mike Adams, 6-8, 320, Sr.
78 Andrew Norwell, 6-5, 308, So.
LG 78 Andrew Norwell, 6-5, 308, So.
79 Marcus Hall, 6-5, 321, So.
C 50 Mike Brewster, 6-5, 305, Sr.
51 Brian Bobek, 6-2, 280, Fr.
RG 74 Jack Mewhort, 6-6, 303, So.
or 71 Corey Linsley, 6-2, 301, So.
RT 76 J.B. Shugarts, 6-7, 300, Sr.
74 Jack Mewhort, 6-6, 303, So.
TE 11 Jake Stoneburner, 6-5, 245, Jr.
88 Reid Fragel, 6-8, 280, Jr.
QB 5 Braxton Miller, 6-3, 210, Fr.
13 Kenny Guiton, 6-2, 195, So.
or 14 Joe Bauserman, 6-1, 230, Sr.
TB 1 Daniel “Boom” Herron, 5-10, 205, Sr.
7 Jordan Hall, 5-9, 195, Jr.
or 34 Carlos Hyde, 6-0, 238, So.
FB 44 Zach Boren, 6-0, 252, Jr.
49 Adam Homan, 6-2, 248, Jr.
WR 8 DeVier Posey, 6-2, 213, Sr.
80 Chris Fields, 6-0, 180, So.
K 24 Drew Basil, 6-1, 212, So.
20 Russell Doup, 6-1, 175, Fr.
Ohio State Defense
DE (Leo) 54 John Simon, 6-2, 270, Jr.
98 Solomon Thomas, 6-5, 255, Sr.
or 50 J.T. Moore, 6-1, 252, R-Fr.
LT 93 Adam Bellamy, 6-4, 302, So.
63 Michael Bennett, 6-3, 280, Fr.
NT 53 Garrett Goebel, 6-3, 290, Jr.
68 Evan Blankenship, 6-3, 288, Sr.
or 51 Joel Hale, 6-4, 310, Fr.
RT 52 Johnathan Hankins, 6-3, 335, So.
90 Darryl Baldwin, 6-4, 290, R-Fr.
WLB 10 Ryan Shazier, 6-2, 212, Fr.
42 Andrew Sweat, 6-2, 238, Sr.
MLB 32 Storm Klein, 6-2, 230, Jr.
41 Tony Jackson, 5-10, 225, Sr.
SLB 6 Etienne Sabino, 6-3, 242, Jr.
14 Curtis Grant, 6-3, 225, Fr.
LCB 7 Travis Howard, 6-1, 190, Jr.
5 Dominic Clarke, 5-10, 191, So.
LS 2 Christian Bryant, 5-9, 190, So.
19 Orhian Johnson, 6-2, 205, Jr.
RS 4 C.J. Barnett, 6-0, 190, So.
16 Zach Domicone, 6-3, 211, Jr.
RCB 25 Bradley Roby, 5-11, 185, R-Fr.
12 Doran Grant, 5-11, 180, Fr.
Star 26 Tyler Moeller, 6-0, 210, Sr.
2 Christian Bryant, 5-9, 190, So.
P 17 Ben Buchanan, 6-0, 180, Jr.
39 Derek Erwin, 5-10, 200, Sr.
LS 56 George Makridis, 6-2, 230, So.
54 Bryce Haynes, 6-4, 185, Fr.
Michigan Offense
WR 12 Roy Roundtree, 6-0, 177, Sr./Jr.
19 Kelvin Grady, 5-10, 177, 5th
17 Jeremy Jackson, 6-3, 198, So.
LT 77 Taylor Lewan, 6-8, 302, Jr./So.
75 Michael Schofield, 6-7, 299, Jr./So.
LG 52 Ricky Barnum, 6-3, 292, Sr./Jr.
57 Elliott Mealer, 6-5, 310, Sr./Jr.
C 50 David Molk, 6-2, 286, 5th
63 Rocko Khoury, 6-4, 287, Sr./Jr.
RG 65 Patrick Omameh, 6-4, 300, Sr./Jr.
57 Elliott Mealer, 6-5, 310, Sr./Jr.
RT 72 Mark Huyge, 6-6. 302, 5th
75 Michael Schofield, 6-7, 299, Jr./So.
TE 86 Kevin Koger, 6-4, 258, Sr.
84 Steve Watson, 6-4, 255, 5th
89 Brandon Moore, 6-5, 255, Sr./Jr.
WR 21 Junior Hemingway, 6-1, 222, 5th
10 Jeremy Gallon, 5-8, 185, Jr./So.
9 Martavious Odoms, 5-8, 173, Sr.
26 Drew Dileo, 5-10, 172, So.
QB 16 Denard Robinson, 6-0, 195, Jr.
7 Devin Gardner, 6-4, 205, So.
FB 33 Stephen Hopkins, 6-0, 228, So.
49 John McColgan, 6-1, 240, 5th
RB 28 Fitzgerald Toussaint, 5-10, 195, Jr./So.
2 Vincent Smith, 5-6, 172, Jr.
20 Michael Shaw, 6-1, 195, Sr.
K 34 Brendan Gibbons, 6-1, 227, Jr./So.
45 Matt Wile, 6-2, 208, Fr.
Michigan Defense
DE 88 Craig Roh, 6-5, 269, Jr.
55 Jibreel Black, 6-2, 260, So.
57 Frank Clark, 6-2, 228, Fr.
DT 68 Mike Martin, 6-2, 304, Sr.
73 Will Campbell, 6-5, 322, Jr.
DT 39 Will Heininger, 6-6, 295, 5th
76 Quinton Washington, 6-4, 302, Jr./So.
DE 53 Ryan Van Bergen, 6-6, 288, 5th
67 Nathan Brink, 6-5, 263, Jr./So.
SLB 90 Jake Ryan, 6-3, 230, So./Fr.
4 Cam Gordon, 6-3, 222, Jr./So.
97 Brennen Beyer, 6-3, 225, Fr.
MLB 25 Kenny Demens, 6-1, 248, Sr./Jr.
42 J.B. Fitzgerald, 6-3, 241, Sr.
27 Mike Jones, 6-2, 224, Jr./So.
WLB 44 Desmond Morgan, 6-1, 220, Fr.
7 Brandin Hawthorne, 6-0, 214, Jr.
58 Brandon Herron, 6-2, 221, 5th
27 Mike Jones, 6-2, 224, Jr./So.
LCB 18 Blake Countess, 5-10, 176, Fr.
6 Raymon Taylor, 5-10, 169, Fr.
SS 32 Jordan Kovacs, 6-0, 197, Sr./Jr.
3 Marvin Robinson, 6-2, 200, So.
FS 29 Troy Woolfolk, 6-0, 191, 5th
or 30 Thomas Gordon, 5-11, 208, Jr./So.
14 Josh Furman, 6-2, 208, So./Fr.
RCB 8 J.T. Floyd, 6-0, 185, Sr./Jr.
5 Courtney Avery, 5-11, 173, So.
17 Tony Anderson, 5-11, 195, 5th
P 43 Will Hagerup, 6-4, 210, So.
45 Matt Wile, 6-2, 208, Fr.
Also Notable
* The Buckeyes are 18-3 in the month of November since the start of the 2005 season. The lone losses were at home to Illinois in 2007 and the last two weeks at Purdue and at home to Penn State. OSU is 9-1 on the road in November over the last seven seasons.
These back-to-back losses mark OSU’s first set of consecutive defeats in November since 1999. Michigan State, Illinois and Michigan all hung losses on OSU that year.
* OSU lost consecutive games earlier this year against MSU and Nebraska. A loss in this game would mark the first time OSU has lost three straight since 2004.
* The Buckeyes are 2-3 against ranked teams this year with wins over No. 15 Illinois and No. 15 Wisconsin and losses to No. 25 Michigan State, No. 15 Nebraska and No. 21 Penn State.
* This will be only the third time where two first-year coaches will oppose one another in this game. It last happened in 1929 when Sam Willaman’s Buckeyes defeated Harry Kipke’s Wolverines 7-0 in Ann Arbor. It first happened in 1897, when Gustave Ferbert’s UM team defeated David Edwards’ OSU team 34-0 in Ann Arbor.
* Michigan has a Big Ten-best 42 conference titles; OSU is second with 35 (including the 2010 title, which was officially vacated).
* The 2011 Michigan team could become the first UM team since 1917 to win eight home games. They would become the first UM team to win eight home games in Michigan Stadium in a season.
* This will be the 18th time that Michigan and Ohio State have played after Thanksgiving. The teams are dead even at 8-8-1 in games played after Thanksgiving.
* The two programs have played every year since 1918, a streak that ranks 10th in Division I-A for the longest uninterrupted series.
* The Game will be televised for the 45th straight year and 56th time overall. Since 1967, every game has been televised including 26 national television appearances. ABC has the broadcast for the 25th consecutive year and all of those were national telecasts except 1995 (split-national with Florida-Florida State). The 2005 game was shown on ABC regionally and on ESPN outside the region. The first game televised in the series was in 1947.
Breaking It Down
* When Ohio State Has The Ball: This has been one of the most disjointed seasons in recent memory for the OSU offense. The lineup has changed from week to week due to suspensions and injuries. There has been little or no continuity throughout. Last week’s mistake-filled performance against Penn State was just a microcosm of what we’ve seen all year – dropped passes, blown OL assignments and a couple of critical turnovers.
Freshman QB Braxton Miller looks and feels like a winner, but the results just aren’t there yet for some of his heroic efforts. OSU’s passing offense remains 12th in the conference at 114.0 yards per game – 42 yards behind 11th-place Minnesota.
TB Boom Herron has been a Michigan killer with 358 yards rushing and three TDs in his three previous games against UM. Maybe the Buckeyes can get the ball to WR DeVier Posey (4 catches in his return) and TE Jake Stoneburner (finally a touchdown last week against PSU). If somebody else makes a play for this offense, well, that would really be something, wouldn’t it?
The renaissance of the Michigan defense has been nothing short of amazing. The guys have finally grown up and have outstanding coaching from coordinator Greg Mattison. They are third in the Big Ten in points allowed (15.6 ppg). With each week, this defense shows more improvement and confidence. OSU has rolled up big point totals in recent years against UM’s sadsack defenses. But that does not figure to be the case on Saturday.
DT Mike Martin and DE Ryan Van Bergen have emerged up front and MLB Kenny Demens makes plays all over the field. Van Bergen has 3-1/2 sacks and five TFLs in the last two games.
* When Michigan Has The Ball: The Wolverines had a prolific offense built around do-it-all QB Denard Robinson. But they are even better – maybe the better word is more effective – now that they have laid off some of the action on RB Fitzgerald Toussaint. They are fifth and sixth in the Big Ten, respectively, in rushing yards per game. Toussaint’s sudden emergence at midseason has really helped the offense, which is second in the conference in scoring (33.6 points per game) and third in total offense (421.2 ypg).
Robinson is fifth in the Big Ten in passing efficiency, which is a tribute to his big play ability. His average of 15.9 yards per completion is first nationally in the I-A ranks. The OSU pass rush has been largely non-existent since the win at Illinois. But if the Buckeyes can pressure Robinson, he could turn it over: His 14 picks are worst among all Big Ten passers.
The Ohio State defense has taken on some water the last two weeks in losses to Purdue and Penn State as it has been without top tackler WLB Andrew Sweat (concussion). It’s unclear whether Sweat will be able to go against Michigan. If he can play, the Buckeyes have a much better chance of containing a UM rush offense that is second in the Big Ten (231.9 ypg). OSU was gashed for 239 yards rushing in last week’s loss to Penn State with many of those yards coming after first contact (i.e. due to shoddy tackling).
* How It Will Go: This is The Game, even if everything but the game has been the real news this week. My guess is within the walls of the Woody Hayes Center, the coaches have tried to insulate their players and put the focus on beating Michigan. With all of the turmoil surrounding the program, that may be easier said than done.
The Buckeyes are also going on the road to a hostile environment with a freshman quarterback. OSU is a dismal 1-3 away from home this year. Michigan, meanwhile, is 7-0 at home. It’s amazing that just by bringing in Brady Hoke and his staff this program has done a complete 180 and is suddenly relevant again.
Better yet, Michigan, with a win, could be in line for an at-large BCS berth, possibly against Houston at the Sugar Bowl. If that’s not incentive, then I don’t know what would be.
Ohio State simply makes too many mistakes on each side of the ball to be taken seriously here – and that’s an amazing notion, given where these programs were just a few short months ago. The only saving grace is the Buckeyes have been in all four of their Big Ten losses and probably could have won three of those games (i.e. the ones where they didn’t play Penn State, which outplayed OSU six ways from Tuesday at Ohio Stadium). OSU has lost those four games by a combined 19 points – an average of 4.7 points.
I think the streak comes to an end on Saturday. The Buckeyes could hang in there and make it a great game. But I think they come up a day late and a dollar short – just as they have most of the year. I’ve got it Michigan 27-24
* For The Record: I am 6-5 straight-up and 5-6 against-the-spread with Ohio State. (Michigan is a 7-1/2 point favorite over Ohio State.)
* Other Picks: Our panel supplied their picks. Everybody picked Michigan, except for Dave Biddle. Here were the score predictions: Dave Biddle (OSU, 25-22), Duane Long (Michigan, 20-13), Dan Rubin (Michigan, 21-14), Bill Kurelic (Michigan, 21-13) and Mr. Bucknuts (Michigan, 31-17).
More Links
Our Picks and Viewers Guide for Week 13
Front Row Radio: Mega Michigan Edition
OSU Scouting Report from Wolverines 247
- Steve Helwagen
- National Reporter - Bucknuts