Schembechler: Smith has been the best

Another big game against Michigan and Troy Smith might have the Heisman in his back pocket.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Bo Schembechler knows more about the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry than anybody, following college football's marquee series up close for more than a half-century.
Schembechler was a graduate assistant for the Buckeyes under Woody Hayes in the early 1950s, returned later to be a Hayes assistant for five seasons before coaching the Wolverines from 1969-1989.
In all of those years, nobody has impressed him more than Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith -- not even two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin.
"I have not seen a guy play so well in back-to-back, Ohio State-Michigan games," Schembechler said. "We slowed down Archie Griffin, I think the second time we played him."
Prediction
If Smith can come close to matching his previous performances against Michigan Saturday, he likely will lock up the Heisman Trophy.
"That's probably the last thing in my world right now," he said.
Smith is more focused on team goals, such as leading No. 1 Ohio State over the second-ranked Wolverines for the third straight year -- a feat it hasn't accomplished since the early 1960s -- and earning a spot in the national championship game.
He might get his wish if the Wolverines can't figure out -- or execute -- a plan to slow him down.
Smith has been unstoppable against Michigan the past two years, putting up gaudy numbers with his arm and legs in two come-from-behind wins.
He had a 300-yard passing and a touchdown and scored once on the ground last year and threw for 241 yards, ran for a career-high 145 and accounted for three TDs in 2004 as a sophomore.
Despite being responsible for 700-plus yards and five TDs in those games, Smith dodges praise like it's a Wolverine trying to tackle him.
Spread it around
"My success is credited to everybody else around me," he said. "It's not just that I'm 2-0 against Michigan. Everybody who has played on the field against them is 2-0.
"I try to give everything to my offensive line. Without them, there are no great plays that can be made."
Smith's linemen have allowed him to stay in the pocket at times to make plays with his strong and accurate arm, but when designed plays break down, his quick feet and sturdy 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame create headaches for the opposition.
In last year's win, which came after trailing by nine midway through the fourth quarter, Smith spun to avoid a sack and eluded another loss on two key passes to set up the game-winning score.
Michigan hopes it finally has an answer for Smith with a new-and-improved defense directed by first-year coordinator Ron English and led by defensive end LaMarr Woodley and cornerback Leon Hall.
English has gotten the most out of talent many thought was not used properly in previous bend-but-don't-break schemes. He has effectively mixed coverages and disguised blitzes all season, leaning on a front seven that makes it tough for teams to run or pass.
No. 1 vs. run
The Wolverines are No. 1 in the nation against the run, giving up less than 30 yards per game, and on third downs, when teams have picked up first downs one out of four tries. They are second in the country with 3.7 sacks a game, third in total defense, giving up 231 yards on average, and fifth in scoring defense, yielding just 12.1 points a game.
English acknowledged Smith's skills put the Wolverines to a test they haven't faced -- since playing Ohio State last year.
"I'm not sure we can stop him, but we hope to be able to slow him down and limit his big plays," English said. "What makes him so special is how poised he is, making good decisions under pressure.
"What you hope to do is keep him from getting outside because that's when he can cause the most problems, but we can't let him sit back and let him throw, either, because he's got an accurate arm."
Smith has completed a school-record 62.9 percent of his passes during his career, and has thrown 26 TDs with just four interceptions this season.
"He does a great job of staying in the pocket and keeping his eyes on the field," Michigan linebacker David Harris said. "He's not as apt to scramble out of the pocket."
Replaced Zwick
That's what Smith did more often in 2004, when the player recruited as an "athlete" out of Cleveland replaced Justin Zwick and became a star against the Wolverines with a career-high 46-yard run en route to his best game on the ground.
Now, Smith looks to use his arm first, legs second -- averaging just 20 yards rushing a game -- shedding the running quarterback label.
"With my situation, any kind of tag is cool because there was a certain time when no one cared who I was," said Smith, who is 24-2 as a starter. "Whether they say you're a running quarterback or a drop-back quarterback, the word at the end is quarterback. That's what's cool."
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