Buckeyes Preview 11.25.16: Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

It's called "The Game" for a reason.

"The ❌agnitude of The Ga❌e is what you co❌e to Ohio State for."

The current Buckeyes know the historical significance behind this rivalry. pic.twitter.com/o6bssIsO8y

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 24, 2016

It's a rivalry that spans the course of over a century.

They first played in 1897 and since then have battled 112 times.  In 2000, ESPN ranked "The Game" as the greatest North American sports rivalry.

In 2006 they played the "Game of the Century" as no. 1 ranked Ohio State beat no. 2 ranked Michigan 42-39.  And while Michigan leads the all-time series, Ohio State has won 11 of the last 12 meetings.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer understands the magnitude of "The Game."  During this week the word "Michigan" is never mentioned.

"I'm very biased and I'm very respectful of all rivalries, but I grew up in the 70's and this was a time when Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes had two programs that were at the top of the food chain," said Meyer.  "What I remember and what I make perfectly clear to our players is the amount of respect that I learned in this rivalry from those two great coaches was real."

This Saturday the no. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) will host the no. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines with National and Big Ten championship hopes on the line.

Looking at the stats these teams are as close as you would expect out of a 2 and 3 matchup.  Ohio State is scoring 43.8 points per game while Michigan posts 42.3.  The Wolverines give up 10.9 ppg with the Buckeyes allowing 13.  Add to those numbers less than 50 yards difference in total yards posted and allowed and you have the making of a game for the ages.

Even the best player on each team are alike in that they are do-it-all playmakers for their teams.

Jabrill Peppers is in the Heisman discussion and with a big performance could be the first defensive player to win the award since another Wolverine defensive back, Charles Woodson.  Peppers will return kicks and have his share of snaps on offense along with lining up all over the field on defense.

Ohio State H-back Curtis Samuel will look to break a couple big plays as he has done all year for the Buckeyes.  Samuel has displayed a tremendous balance to his game gaining over 600 yards rushing and receiving for the Buckeyes along with 7 touchdowns on the ground and 7 through the air as well.  He will have his work cut out for him as Michigan will come to the Shoe with the best defense Ohio State has faced all season.

For Michigan a win would give them a divisional championship and send them to Indianapolis for a shot at their first Big Ten championship since 2004.  If they won the Big Ten championship they would lock up a place in the college football playoff and go on for a chance at a national championship.

Ohio State's path to a national title is actually more promising than their shot at a conference championship.  The Buckeyes would need to win this weekend and then hope for Michigan State to beat Penn State to get a shot at a Big Ten championship in Indianapolis.  But even if Penn State wins, the fact that the playoff committee has the Buckeyes ranked no.2 means a win against the no.3 team in the country would make it very difficult to leave Ohio State out of the four-team playoff.

"The Game" has more than just bragging rights on the line this year.  Michigan is finally back to relevancy after a long layoff filled with losing seasons and multiple coaches.  They've quickly put themselves back among the elite in college football after bringing in Jim Harbaugh.  And while Michigan looks to build on a season that has them back in the national picture, Ohio State will try to continue as one of college footballs most successful programs since Urban Meyer was named head coach.

Personally as an Ohio State fan the rivalry with Michigan has lost a lot of its luster.  Part of it was how bad the Michigan program had become, and part of it was a renewed rivalry between Meyer and Alabama coach Nick Saban.  But with coach Harbaugh leading the Michigan program there is no doubt that they are back, and so is the greatest rivalry in college football.


What:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines
When:  Saturday November 26, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
Where:  Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch:  ABC

On The Mark 11.29.15: #Buckeyes vs #Michigan Recap #OSUvsMICH

Hail to the Victors! Ohio State destroys Michigan in The Big House 42-13
By @MarkW2112

Yes, we all know The Victors is the Michigan fight song. But on this day, in Ann Arbor, at Michigan Stadium, it was the Ohio State Buckeyes who were the victors. And what a win it was, as they destroyed the Wolverines 42-13 in a game where the Buckeyes ran over Michigan's defense like a hot knife to butter. It was won in the trenches, with Ezekiel Elliot running for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns and J.T. Barrett running for an additional 139 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. He also threw for a touchdown on a beautiful pass over the defenders head and in to the waiting hands of Jalin Marshall. The Buckeyes offensive line had no problem opening holes for the rushers today as they had last week against Michigan State.

It was the first game for coach Jim Harbaugh against Urban Meyer. It was supposed to be a match set up like Bo Schembechler vs. Woody Hayes. Instead, it was another nightmare for Michigan fans who've seen the likes of Lloyd Carr and Brady Hoke take a beating from Ohio State over the last decade. Quarterback Jake Rudock looked sharp to the start, especially on a beautiful touchdown pass to Jehu Chesson, who led all receivers with 111 yards receiving. Other than a few nice receptions by Jake Butt, the Ohio State defense held their ground all day long, holding all Michigan running backs to a total of 57 yards. Rudock had his day finished early after former high school teammate Joey Bosa, who blew by the offensive tackle to hit Rudock in to the Big House turf. Wilton Speight took over for the rest of game, including an interception to Bosa after batting the ball to himself and almost taking it to the end zone. Adolphis Washington was also disruptive, getting to Rudock many times during the game. It was a hugely disappointing beginning to the Harbaugh era.

My take: This is how the Buckeyes should have played all year. Offensively, it was the best game of the year, especially against a top 10 opponent. J.T. Barrett and Ezekiel Elliot were outstanding today. It seems that having Tim Beck and Ed Warinner up in the booth together was exactly what the offense needed. It's just too bad they couldn't have figured this out before losing to Michigan State, who beat Penn State to win the B1G Eastern division. If there is somehow some luck on the Buckeyes side, there is a very slim chance they could make it to the 4 team playoff. But they blew the opportunity by playing so poorly against Michigan State. The consolation prize is going to the Rose Bowl, a place that meant so much to both the Buckeyes and Michigan in years past.

Player of the game: Ezekiel Elliot. After criticizing the coaches after the heartbreaking loss to Michigan State, Elliot manned up and plowed through Michigan defenders on his way to a 30 carry, 214 yard day. He surpassed Eddie George with the second most rushing yards of any Ohio State player, only behind Archie Griffin. He will be missed in Columbus but his career in the NFL will be one to watch.

Play of the game: While it didn't score a touchdown, Ezekiel Elliot's 66 yard run in the first half seemed to give the push the Buckeyes needed on offense.

Next for the Buckeyes: To be determined.

On The Mark 11.28.14: #Buckeyes vs. #Michigan Preview

By @MarkW2112

Is this really the last regular season game for the Ohio State Buckeyes?  Time really flies when you're having fun.  And the Buckeyes, for the most part, have been having a ball all year.  With the exception of the (fluke) game against Virginia Tech in week 2, the Buckeyes have been sensational all year, especially on offense.  When Braxton Miller went down in the summer with a season ending shoulder injury, the job went to freshman J.T. Barrett.  Lot's of really good buzz came out of Columbus about Barrett.  Many thought he was ready to take the reins of quarterback and lead the Buckeyes to good things.  Others thought he was still a raw freshman learning on the job.  As it turned out, he was a lot less of the latter and a lot more of the former.  While he had growing pains, especially in the first 2 weeks of the year, J.T. Barrett has grown in front of us Buckeyes fans eyes to even be in Heisman Trophy conversations by national media.

So here we are, the final game of the regular season, with probably the greatest rivalry in all of college football, that School Up North.  The Michigan Wolverines have had a very difficult 2014.  Nothing has gone right for Michigan, both on the field and off of it.  Their AD has stepped down, their head coach Brady Hoke has made many questionable decisions on the field.  But when it comes to Ohio State/Michigan week, anything can happen.  Buckeyes fans know that they will play tough.

Quarterback Devin Gardner has 8 touchdowns and 14 interceptions for the year.  Compare that with J.T. Barrett's 33 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, he's been very pedestrian.  Running backs De'Veon Smith and Derick Green have combined for less than 1,000 yards combined.  The defense hasn't been that spectacular with no real stand outs this year.

My take: Don't discount Michigan against Ohio State, no matter how bad the Wolverines may be.  The Buckeyes are a 20 point favorite but the Wolverines will put up a big fight against the Bucks for pride and bragging rights.  But in the end, Devin Gardner is no J.T. Barrett and the 2 sophomore running backs are no match for Ezekiel Elliot.  Michigan also wishes they had as talented of receivers as Jalin Marshall, Michael Thomas and Devin Smith.

Prediction: in a cat fight, the Buckeyes will prevail at the Horseshoe.  It's possible this could be Brady Hoke's last game as Michigan's head coach.

What: THE GAME Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes

Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

When: Saturday, 11/29/14, 12 PM EST

TV: ABC