Even Hart's big effort didn't stop the Buckeyes' return to Arizona

The Michigan defense just couldn't slow down the OSU offense.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Mike Hart finally had a big game against Ohio State.
Michigan's defense made it moot.
Hart ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns, but the top-ranked Buckeyes scored easily in a 42-39 victory Saturday over the second-ranked Wolverines to earn a spot in the national championship.
Michigan's supposed vise-like defense gave up 28 points in the first half, more than it had in any of its previous 11 games, and 187 yards rushing -- six times the average it was allowing to lead the nation against the run.
Antonio Pittman's 56-yard run midway through the third quarter was Ohio State's fifth play of at least 20 yards, matching the number of big plays Michigan allowed in any of its previous 11 games.
Rematch possible
If Michigan is fortunate enough to get a rematch on Jan. 8 in Arizona with the national title at stake, Hart guaranteed it would be a different game.
Why?
"Because the defense gave up big plays, they don't usually," he said.
Hart failed to make many plays in the previous two losses to Ohio State, which limited him to 76 yards on 27 carries.
He entered the game averaging 124.8 yards per game -- sixth in the nation -- and surpassed that on 23 carries against the Buckeyes' defense that was geared to stop him.
The shifty running back got Michigan off the mat with a 2-yard score early in the third quarter to make it 28-21 and scored his third TD early in the fourth to make it 35-31.
"Their defense played good, but they're not as good as people thought," Hart said. "We didn't put enough points on the board. There's nothing special about that defense."
It looked like Hart was going to have another frustrating game early, when he was held to just 17 yards in the first quarter. He finished the first half with 56 yards, then got loose for a 33-yard gain in the third quarter, giving the Wolverines a shot.
Buckeyes praised Hart
"Hart was the best back we faced all year," Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said.
Like junior quarterback Chad Henne, Hart has had a fabulous career at Michigan, but both are 0-3 against Ohio State and that, ultimately, is how great players are measured at college football's winningest program.
"You know it hurts," Hart said. "You want to beat Ohio State. I got one more year left. I'm going to get them next year."
A follow-up question led to Hart's guarantee, which will ring hollow if Michigan's defense fails to slow down Troy Smith in a possible fourth matchup.