Michigan lineman Boren transfers to Ohio State

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is about to get even more interesting, now that former Wolverines player Justin Boren has decided to join the Buckeyes.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel says Boren plans to put on the scarlet and gray after sitting out the 2008 season as required by NCAA transfer rules.

The sophomore offensive lineman left the Michigan program last month, saying its “family values have eroded” under new coach Rich Rodriguez.

In a statement released through Tressel, Boren says he’s looking forward to helping the Buckeyes continue their excellence. Boren went to high school in the Columbus suburb of Pickerington.

Ohio State will play Navy to open the 2009 football season.

The schools announced a two-game series on Wednesday in which Navy will come to Ohio Stadium on Sept. 5, 2009. The Buckeyes will meet the Midshipmen on Aug. 30, 2014, in a game to be played in the Annapolis, Md., region.

The Buckeyes have won all three times the two schools have played, including the last meeting when Ohio State beat Navy 31-28 in the 1981 Liberty Bowl.