.i SPORTS . .. n,__. _. ms. Alk I . 7 The Michi gon Daily Tuesday, November 17, 1981 rage / 'THE ONLY GAME I GIVE A DAMN ABOUT'-BO 'M'-Buckeye clash still the Big Game By BUDDY MOOREHOUSE Five weeks ago, after Michigan had just lost to Iowa and stood at 2-2 in the Big Ten, it was starting to look as though the Big Game wasn't going to be all that big. With the Wolverines all but 4ut of the race for the Rose Bowl, it ap- peared that for the first time in years, the Michigan-Ohio State game wasn't gcing to once again be the showdown for all the marbles. Out in a Big Ten season that has- leen as unpredictable as Michigan wyinters, the Big Game is once again the Big Game. The Wolverines moved into first place in the conference for the first ti:e all season over the weekend, as they downed Purdue, 28-10, while Iowa j Wisconsin out of Michigan's way with a 17-7 win over the Badgers.. SO ONCE AGAIN, it boils down to the Michigan-Ohio State clash for the Big Ten crown, with the winner getting at least a share of the title. "I never expected us to fold," said Wolverine head coach Bo Schem- bechler at yesterday's weekly press luncheon. "I think that our character and good leadership kept us in it." Thanks to Iowa's win over Wisconsin, Michigan only needs a win over the Buckeyes this Saturday to earn a return trip to the Rose Bowl. But Schem- bechler was quick to point out that beating Ohio State will not be an easy chore. "This is the best offensive team we've met all year," said Bo. "They are much better offensively than they SPORTS TAPF FOOTBALL OHIO STATE, Nov. 21, 12:30 p.m. HOCKEY MICHIGAN STATE, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. at Michigan State, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. VOLLEYBALL at Michigan State, Nov. 17, 7:00 p.m. at Western Illinois (Regionals), Nov. 20-21 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL' JACKSON CC, Nov. 17, 6:00 p.m. WOMEN'S SWIMMING MICHIGAN STATE, Nov. 20, 4:00 p.m. MEN'S GYMNASTICS at Buckeye Invitational, Nov. 20-21 GRIDDE PICKS What once was a male-dominated contest has seen a change in leadership. For the second consecutive week, a female has captured the coveted Grid- des title. Linda Rapp, of the Modern Language Department, took this week's honors with 17 correct choices. Take your time in predicting the win- ners if you want to win the free one-item pizza from Pizza Bob's. All entries are due by Friday midnight at the Daily (420 Maynard). 1. Ohio State at MICHIGAN (pick score) 2. Wisconsin at Minnesota 3. Illinois at Northwestern 4. Michigan State at Iowa 5. Purdue at Indiana 6. SMU at Arkansas 7. Washington State at Washington 8. UCLA at USC , 9. Clemson at South Carolina 10. Notre Dame at Penn State 11. Nebraska at Oklahoma 12. Harvard at Yale 13. Virginia at Maryland 14. Miami (Fla.) at North Carolina St. 15. Mississippi at Mississippi State 16. Oregon State at Oregon 17. Ball State at Illinois State 18. California at Stanford 19. Ohio State Lanternettes at DAILY LIBELLES 20. Ohio State Lantern at DAILY LIBELS BILLBOARD Wrestling meets will take place today at the Sports Coliseum from 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. continuing tomorrow from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m., and Thursday from, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Also on Thursday the team racquet- ball playoff schedules will be available at 2:00 p.m. in the IM information cen- ter at the IM Building. EARTHWATCH A weekly series of 1 environmentol tks ,, t> l. were a year ago. Their offensive line is better and (quarterback Art) Schlichter can really hurt you.", THE MICHIGAN coach also said that his team's home-field advantage would not make much of a differeence in the contest. "It doesn't make any difference where we play this game," said Schembechler. "Play it in a parking lot, throuw out, all the spec- tators, and it wouldn't make any dif- ference." With just one weekend left in the regular season, only Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa still have a shot at the Big Ten title and the trip to Pasadena. With a 6-2 league mark, the Wolverines are the only team that control their own destiny, needing only a win this Satur- day to earn the Roses trip. Ohio State, with a 5-2 conference slate, not only needs a victory over Michigan, but a Michigan State victory over Iowa to earn the trip to Pasadena. Iowa, also at 5-2 in the Big Ten, needs to beat the Spartans and have Michigan lose to or, tie the Buckeyes to make the journey west. Despite the fact that the Iowa- Michigan State game could play in the Wolverines' fortunes (if Michigan and Ohio State tie, and Iowa loses, the Wolverines would still be the league champs), Schembechler said, "I'll be honest, the only game I give a damn about is this one. I don't care what happens anywhere else." AFTER TALKING at length abut the strength of this year's Buckeye squad, Schembechler was informed that his team had been installed as early 10- point favorites. ."I don't believe that," Bo said with a laugh. "There's no way we should be 10-point favorites. I think that this game is an even-up, toss-up." The Michigan mentor also took time to reflect on the Michigan-Ohio State games of the past, when his former coach, Woody Hayes, was directing the Buckeyes. "The thing abut the confron- tations between Woody and myself is that I've always had respect for him," said Bo. "Deep down, both of us were close, but because of the circumstan- ces, we couldn't be. I'm not sure that the Woody-Bo thing had that much ef- fect on what was happening on the field. "When he, came down here and visited our practice last spring, our kids looked at him with awe," Schembechler continued. "Woody's welcome here anytime. He may be up. After I screwed up the Wisconsin game, he hasn't talked to me since!" In everything he said, Schembechler made it plain that this will always be the Big Game for him. "I go down through the Ohio State roster, and I know those kids," said Bo. "They're quality kids. Both teams have such respect for each other's programs." Schembechler also indicated that Wolverine outside linebacker Jim. Herrmann should be ready to play after missing several weeks with a kneee in- jury. However, cornerback Marion Body will likely sit out the Ohio State game due to a knee injury, as will freshman defensive tackle Clay Miller, sidelined because of knee surgery, and middle guard Doug James, out with a separtated shoulder. Outside linebacker Robert Thompson, who hurt his shoulder against Purdue last week, should be ready to play. TUESDAY LUNCH-DISCUSSION NOVEMBER 17, 12 NOON "ISLAM, CHRISTIANITY, AND MARXISM AND THEIR IMPACT ON NIGERIA IN THE 80s" Speaker: DR. ROVAN LOCKE, Professor of Political Science, University of Ife, Nigeria, 1978-1981 At the International Center 603 E. Madison Street co- LUNCH$1.00T T C For additional Information, Please call 662-5529 sponsored by *he Ecumenical Campus Center he International Center :hurch Women United in Ann Arbor ae r 'e c ,