Buckeyes, Michigan play for Big Ten title

For Ohio State, a return trip to the national championship game is also on the line.
& lt;a href=mailto:scalzo@vindy.com & gt;By JOE SCALZO & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
The Big Ten is back to the Big Two.
As it should be.
"It's a huge game," said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. "Ohio State-Michigan is the biggest game of the year. It's the last game and it's exciting."
The Buckeyes (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) and Wolverines (9-2, 6-1) will meet for the 100th time at noon on Saturday in Ann Arbor with the conference title on the line.
Buckeye quarterback Craig Krenzel -- the only Michigan native on Ohio State's roster -- is looking forward to it.
"There's no doubt, you come to place like Ohio State or you go to a place like Michigan to play in that type of game," said Krenzel, who is 2-0 against the Wolverines. "You come there because you want to win conference championships and a lot of times it comes down to that last game of the season."
Buckeyes ranked fourth
Ohio State, ranked fourth in both polls, is 5-1 against ranked teams this season, but will face its toughest test of the season against the fifth-ranked Wolverines.
"We get to see team video of the whole league while we're preparing for all the various teams and Michigan is very good," said Tressel, who is also 2-0 against Michigan. "Shoot, they're an outstanding football team, they're a veteran football team.
"They have veterans at key positions and they're one of the best teams in the country."
OSU won last year
The Buckeyes won last year's contest 14-9 in Columbus en route to their first national championship since 1968.
OSU cornerback Will Allen intercepted John Navarre's pass just short of the end zone on the game's final play as Ohio State won back-to-back games against Michigan for the first time since 1981-82.
One of the reasons Tressel's predecessor, John Cooper, was fired was due to his poor record against Michigan. Cooper went 2-10-1 against the Wolverines from 1988-2000.
But when Tressel was asked if his 2-0 record against Michigan meant anything this year, he said, "No, not a thing."
Krenzel made his first career start two years ago in Ann Arbor -- subbing for suspended quarterback Steve Bellisari -- and led Ohio State to a 26-20 victory -- the Buckeyes' first over Michigan since 1998.
Krenzel's counterpart, Navarre, is 0-2 all-time against Ohio State.
"This is one of those years where the winner of that game is going to become the conference champ," Krenzel said. "That's why you come here, you come here to play in those games and you come here for that challenge."
Looking ahead
And if Ohio State passes Saturday's test, it may have an even bigger one to end the season. The Buckeyes, who were third in last week's BCS standings, could pass No. 2 USC due to their strength of schedule.
"We've got another opportunity ahead of us where we can play Michigan and go to the national championship game again hopefully," said senior defensive lineman Will Smith.
& lt;a href=mailto:scalzok@vindy.com & gt;scalzo@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;