Beware! Michigan still among living

Ohio State (9-2) is a heavy favorite, yet it can’t take the Wolverines (3-8) lightly.

COLUMBUS (AP) — On paper, it looks too easy.

One team is ranked No. 10 and has a conference title and a prime bowl spot on the line when it goes for its fifth consecutive win over its chief rival, which has an awful record and is winding up a horrible season.

Yet Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) takes nothing for granted when it plays Michigan (3-8, 2-5).

Ohio State has won the last four meetings, and is a lopsided choice to make it five. World Features Syndicate, provider of the Glantz-Culver Line, established Ohio State as a 19-point favorite — matching the most points the Buckeyes have ever been favored by in a game against their bitter rivals.

The Buckeyes seem to have so much to play for — and the Wolverines so little.

Ohio State can grab a share of its fourth straight Big Ten title with a win before a rollicking home crowd Saturday. It also can move into position for a possible spot in a Bowl Championship Series game, possibly even the Rose Bowl if Penn State loses at home to Michigan State.

The Wolverines want to end their miserable season on a high note.

“No one gives us a chance, and that’s fine,” Michigan offensive lineman David Moosman said. “I’ve got my own teammates, I’ve got my own guys behind me. We’re all going to fight for this win.”

Michigan has pulled off major upsets before in the 104-game series.

The biggest came in 1969. Defending national champion Ohio State was No. 1 and riding a 22-game winning streak when a rookie coach named Glenn “Bo” Schembechler led the Wolverines to a 24-12 victory over his mentor, Woody Hayes.

Michigan dominated throughout the 1990s. Then, Tressel replaced the fired John Cooper and was introduced as Ohio State’s new head coach at halftime of a Michigan-Ohio State basketball game in January of 2001. He uttered a promise to the crowd which reverberates through the rivalry today: “I promise you’ll be proud of our young people in the classroom, in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the football field.”

Ten months later, the unranked Buckeyes upset the No. 11 Wolverines, 31-28. They’ve won six of seven Michigan games under Tressel. Lloyd Carr resigned after last season, opening the door for Michigan to hire spread-offense guru Rich Rodriguez, who left West Virginia in a messy breakup that involved lawsuits and death threats.

Right now, the Buckeyes have the upper hand on their rivals, on the field and even in recruiting. This spring, they signed the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect, Terrelle Pryor. Pryor, who will start Saturday, was also considering Michigan.

“You look back at history and you start to understand that, for a long time Michigan was in our role — we couldn’t beat them,” Ohio State tight end Rory Nicol said. “So we look at the countdowns that say it’s been 1,500 days since Michigan’s beat us and they look at the same ones. I’m sure in their hearts that just drives them up the wall. They can’t wait to beat us. They’re going to come out swinging this year.”

Tressel discounts talk that the Wolverines are desperate.

“When you say they don’t have anything to lose, that’s not true,” he said.

He said the history and the tradition make the game important to both sides.

“Ohio State versus Michigan trumps everything,” he said.

2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.