Troy Smith has tough act to follow after 2004 game

Ohio St. has scored 35 points in five straight games for the first time since 1974.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Troy Smith has started just one game against Michigan and already has learned that if you play well against Ohio State's archrival a lot is forgiven.
"If you do have a good game against Michigan, everything is OK for you," Smith said after the Buckeyes win last week over Northwestern.
As it turns out, Smith had much more than a good game against the Wolverines a year ago.
He put up numbers that had people reaching for the record book, and can raise a player to a new level in the eyes of the fans who build their world around the rivalry.
That great game is not only the most important thing on his resume, it's also a tough act to follow as the No. 9 Buckeyes prepare to take on 17th-ranked Michigan Saturday at The Big House.
The rise
Smith's 145 yards rushing on 18 attempts, including a touchdown, was the second-highest total for an Ohio State quarterback. He also completed 13-of-23 passes for 241 yards and two more scores while leading the unranked Buckeyes to a 37-21 upset of No. 7 Michigan.
Instantly, the sophomore from Cleveland was acclaimed as the Buckeyes' next star. But that star fell out of orbit not long after the postgame celebration ended.
Less than a month after his best game, Smith was suspended by Ohio State for accepting $500 from an Ohio State booster six months earlier.
Smith, who acknowledged he accepted the money, was not permitted to travel with the team to its bowl game, and then was suspended for the 2005 opener.
The booster was banished from the program. Ohio State has a hearing in December at which time it will learn if the NCAA will levy any additional penalties.
After Smith returned from exile, the offense moved the ball in fits and starts. It took Smith four games to find his rhythm. In the meantime, the Buckeyes lost close games to Texas and Penn State, frittering away numerous scoring opportunities.
The Buckeyes are on a five-game winning streak since then heading into the 102nd meeting with their rival.
"He made mistakes and it cost us opportunities," wide receiver Santonio Holmes said of Smith. "But we have to forget about what happened in the past. We have him now, so we just have to look forward."
Gets protection
Ohio State has scored 35 or more points in five games in a row, the first time that's happened since 1974.
Smith directs an attack that seems to be in lockstep -- the line has been protecting him and opening holes, tailback Antonio Pittman is over 1,100 rushing yards, and wide-outs Holmes, Ted Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez are threats to score every time they touch the ball.
"He's got the same athletic ability. He's got the same great arm," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "He's been in a lot of big games where he has played extremely well."
Asked if it would be difficult for Smith to live up to his performance from a year ago, Holmes said, "Not at all. The way he's been playing these last couple of games is going to carry right over to this one."
"No doubt he's the fastest quarterback we'll play against this year," Michigan inside linebacker David Harris said. "He's a great scrambler, he's capable of making any play, he's got a strong arm, he's a great leader. He's their man."
Tressel values Smith more for what he hasn't been doing -- turning the ball over.
"Troy made a lot of good decisions," Tressel said, reflecting on last year's win over Michigan. "We always say if you start with making good decisions, then usually those other things that we really need to happen have a good chance of coming true."