Tressel credits both teams after Bucks' win

Hoping for a rematch on the BCS Championship field, one Michigan back predicts, "it would be a whole different game."
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR
COLUMBUS -- Of course, everyone expected a grind-it-out, down-to-the wire, typically low-scoring Ohio State-Michigan slugfest, right?
Except for the combined 81 points in the Buckeyes' 42-39 Big Ten-title clinching victory, that's exactly what it was.
Despite a final score that resembled a Big East game, Ohio State's 19th consecutive win that clinched the program's first outright conference championship in 22 years is destined to be an instant classic on the cable outlet of your choice.
"It sure felt like a Big Ten game," Ohio State offensive tackle T.J. Downing said. "I'm really sore."
Next up
The top-ranked Buckeyes (12-0, 8-0) can now set their sights on the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Ariz., where they will play in the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 8. There's still two more weeks of games to decide who their opponent will be ... and there's some who wouldn't mind that the team would be clad in Maize and Blue.
"I guarantee if we play them again it would be a whole different game," said Michigan running back Mike Hart, who rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns. "We should have got them the first time around. We didn't ... that's our fault.
"I think we're both the top teams in the country, regardless of what anybody says."
Ohio State dominated the first half, after allowing the Wolverines (11-1, 7-1) to score on their opening possession, scoring three touchdowns in the span of 12 minutes to take a 28-14 lead at halftime.
But Michigan's defense forced a punt and turnover on its first two possessions of the third quarter and scored a touchdown and a field goal. Suddenly, Ohio State's lead was only 28-24 with more than 23 minutes remaining in the game.
"It was a fast break game the whole time," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "There were two good offenses, two good defenses, two good football teams out there."
Big plays all over
But, as seemed to be the case all day, big plays came out of nowhere, and when Antonio Pittman dashed into the end zone from 56 yards, the Buckeyes led 35-24 with 8:04 to go in the third quarter.
"I never expected that to happen," said Michigan defensive end Lamar Woodley, referring to the Buckeyes' big plays. "We knew they were a great offense, they had a lot of weapons."
And, as expected, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith pretty much put a lock on the Heisman Trophy, going 29-of-41 for 316 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite throwing one ill-advised pass that was intercepted and led to a Michigan field goal, Smith was the difference in the game, guiding the Buckeyes to 503 total yards.
"I would think he clinched the Heisman Trophy," Tressel said. "I don't think there would be any question about that. I think he's the best player in college football."
Smith downplayed his chances.
"I think the Heisman Trophy is a team award," Smith said. "You can be hands-down the most electrifying player in college football and lose two or three games and you're out of it.
"I owe [his teammates] everything in the world. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't even be here for any of the accolades that I do receive."
Clinching score
In typical Smith fashion, though, he guided the Buckeyes to their final touchdown with just more than 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the game.
Three plays after he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Shawn Crable (a source of a little consternation in the Michigan locker room) Smith found Brian Robiskie in the front left corner of the end zone, making it 42-31.
"Troy's number one quality is his toughness," Tressel said. "If you want to be a champion as a quarterback, toughness is number one. You can't be what I think is the All-American quarterback without being tough."
Michigan, though, as it had all day, answered. Chad Henne (21-of-35, 267 yards and two TDs) guided an 11-play, 81-yard march to the end zone, finding tight end Tyler Ecker from 16 yards out, then hitting Steve Breaston for the two-point conversion that made it 42-39 with 2:16 to go.
But, Ted Ginn Jr. recovered the onside kickoff and the Buckeyes ran out the clock.
"We [now] have three sets of golden pants," said Smith, referring to the charm that Ohio State players receive after defeating their arch-rival. "That first one, when I got them, it was just a small, like a Christmas tree ornament, and it didn't mean that much to me.
"But, now, after you go through situations and games like that today, to earn those golden pants ... it means the world to me."
& lt;i & gt; & lt;a href="http://media.vindy.com/photos/osu/index.html" & gt;For a photo gallery of the game, click here. & lt;/a & gt; & lt;/i & gt;
todor@vindy.com