Tuesday, November 16, 2004
On the other hand, there's a lot on the line for the Wolverines.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- It appears the stakes are everything and nothing when No. 7 Michigan takes on four-loss Ohio State on Saturday.
There is no question that the Wolverines have more on the line.
A victory and the Wolverines, seventh in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings, are assured of a spot in the Rose Bowl and a record 17th outright Big Ten championship.
The Wolverines (9-1, 7-0) don't mind the added pressure.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," outside linebacker Roy Manning said.
Meanwhile, Ohio State is left with little more than ruining its rival's championship party.
Holmes' take
"I don't think we come into this game with nothing to lose because we're playing here at Ohio State, we're playing against Michigan and that pretty much speaks for itself," Buckeyes wideout Santonio Holmes said. "Everything that they have right now is on the line, like going for a big BCS bowl. We have an opportunity to spoil those chances. That's our main focus right now."
Ohio State (6-4, 3-4) knows it is going to a bowl -- whether it gets a favorable destination remains to be seen. Right now the Buckeyes appear limited to the Alamo or Sun bowls. Neither is on New Year's Day and both are far removed from the spotlight the team has grown to expect after spending the last two holiday seasons at the Fiesta Bowl.
"This makes or breaks our season," Holmes said. "It comes down to this, the Michigan game. It's going to be one of the biggest games of all, even though we lost four games already."
Three years ago
The Buckeyes draw strength from what happened three years ago in coach Jim Tressel's first season. They had lost four games and were coming off a loss -- just like this year -- when they went to The Big House to play 11th-ranked Michigan. Ohio State pulled off a 26-20 upset, knocking the Wolverines out of a share of the Big Ten title and dropping them out of the Sugar Bowl.
"We were 6-4 and went up there and got the victory and seemed like everything [bad] just kind of was washed away," Ohio State cornerback Dustin Fox said. "A win over Michigan can do that. But it's going to take a lot of hard work this week in practice and a lot of focus come Saturday against a great football team."
What is called The Game around Columbus has a history of upsets.
Ohio State was undefeated in 1993, '95 and '96 heading into the final regular season game but lost each time to Michigan.
The game is seen as one last opportunity at redemption for an underdog.
"Our season hasn't worked out as well as we wanted it to, but this is a chance to right some wrongs," linebacker A.J. Hawk said.