ANN ARBOR, MICH. League on the line for OSU, Michigan in 100th meeting

An automatic BCS bid is also at stake for both teams.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Fittingly, a lot is at stake in the 100th Ohio State-Michigan game.
A shot at the national championship -- for the sixth time in nine years -- a Big Ten title -- once again -- and an automatic BCS bid are on the line in arguably the greatest rivalry in sports.
"This is going to be the biggest event going on in the world [today], here in Ann Arbor," Michigan's Chris Perry said. "There's not going to be another place in the world that has 110,000 people in one place watching a game, plus millions on TV."
With a win, No. 4 Ohio State (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) may have a chance to defend its national title at the Sugar Bowl and would have its first outright conference championship since 1984.
"It'd be a lot better than last year, and we won the national championship," Ohio State's Rob Sims said. "It was kind of funny [hearing], 'Oh, you guys won the national championship, but you were the co-Big Ten champs.' "
If No. 5 Michigan (9-2, 6-1) wins, it would be a longshot to play in the BCS title game, but wouldn't be disappointed to play in the Rose Bowl for the first time since winning the 1997 national championship.
"You couldn't write a better story than this," Michigan's Tony Pape said. "This is what you come to Michigan for and why you go to Ohio State. This is the game. This is it."
Milestone game
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Craig Krenzel, a Michigan native, are 2-0 against the Wolverines. The Buckeyes haven't won three in a row against Michigan since taking four straight from 1960-63.
"I'm not thinking about losing," said Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, who is 5-3 against Ohio State and 13-3 against Top 10 teams.
If Michigan doesn't go to the Rose Bowl, it will have gone six years without playing there for the first time since 1965.
"We do have a lot riding on this game, so we need to go out and get it done," Michigan fifth-year senior Dave Pearson said.
Since the matchup was moved to the last Saturday of the Big Ten schedule 68 years ago, "The Game" has had an impact on the Big Ten championship 41 times. The conference's outright champion will be determined in today's game for the 19th time.
"It's amazing to see how many times this game has been the deciding factor," Pearson said. "It's just going to be a great thing to be a part of."
Michigan has a 56-37-6 edge in the series, which has been incredibly even if you take away the Wolverines' 13-0-2 start and the John Cooper era. Ohio State fired Cooper, who was 2-10-1 against Michigan, after the 2000 season.
Big rivalry
The Ohio State-Michigan game was voted the greatest rivalry -- in any sport -- of the 20th century in a fan poll conducted by ESPN.com.
"There's nothing quite like the colors, the noise, the bands, the crowds," Carr said. "Looking into the eyes of your players, knowing all the preparation, all the goals and all of the hard work and effort that they have put into the season and now they get an opportunity to play in the greatest game. The guys across the field that you're coaching against, knowing that they want to win every bit as bad as you do."
Michigan has won its six home games this season by an average of 34.5 points, but few expect another blowout. The Wolverines are favored by a touchdown against a team that has consistently displayed a knack for winning close games.
The Buckeyes, who have won five games by a TD or less, beat North Carolina State in three overtimes and Purdue in one overtime.
"No matter how ugly or in what fashion we win games, that's what we do," Ohio State's Ben Hartsock said.
Emotional game
For both teams, it will be an emotional experience when they walk down a long, steep tunnel and emerge onto the Michigan Stadium field in front more than 110,000 fans.
"The emotion will be pouring out of our helmets," Ohio State's Branden Joe said. "There's going to be a lot of boos. We'll still have our faithful. There'll be that corner of red out there and that's all we're going to need."
Michigan's Carl Diggs of Warren said he felt a change the moment last week's game at Northwestern was finished.
"It feels like something takes over your body," Diggs said. "Running off the field, my face just lit up with a big smile because I knew the time had finally come. Throughout the season you always have that Michigan and Ohio State game in the back of your head."
Plenty of pomp and circumstance will be on display leading up to kickoff.
Graduates of the two schools will fly F-16s over the stadium and former President Gerald Ford, who played football at Michigan, will deliver a message on the video board.
For the first time, former Wolverine football players will create a tunnel for players to run through onto the field and seniors will be honored with their parents before the game.
Former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, whose 10-year series with Woody Hayes from 1969-78 was a highlight of the first 99 meetings, will bring the ceremonial game ball to midfield and will be present for the coin toss.
"I think there's some significance to the fact it's the 100th meeting," Tressel said. "I think that makes it even bigger, and there is a lot riding on the game. That's why the kids came to Ohio State and the kids went to Michigan, is to play in games like this. We as coaches, we look at the game we're playing as the biggest game ever, so there's no doubt about it, this is the biggest game ever."