2 -The iandal SL =No 'itObr 22-j'j* CoufaKrs 4 - GAMR PVIEW No~nber 22, 1997-F - INSIDE FOOTBALL SATURDAY - Michigan-Ohio State rivalry alwi -.3-. Cooper's curse Ohio State coach John Cooper, who was hired in part because of his reputation as a Michigan- killer, is 1-7-1 in his career with the Buckeyes against Michigan. He hears about it everyday on a campus that is thirsty for a vic- tory over the hated olverines, giving great importance to today's game. - 4- Commentary Droves of Michigan students decided to sell their tickets to today's game, choosing big bucks over watching the big game against the Buckeyes. Daily Sports Editor Nicholas J. Cotsonika disagrees with their decision. Also, Daily Sports Editor Danielle Rumore and the editors of the Ohio State Lantern give their reasons why they think their school will win. --6- Interceptions don't come easy for Griese Quarterback Brian Griese, who nearly left Michigan for graduate school after last season, retuned to lead the Wolverines on their fairy-tale run. He has blossomed into one of the nation's most efficient passers and is now mentioned in the same breath with his Hall of Fame father, Bob. ----... . -7 -w- Quick Info The depth charts for both teams on offense, defense and special teams, as well as complete Michigan statistics. Plus, the Daily's football writers offer their picks for all the Big Ten games this weekend and selected non-conference action. -8- The Rosters Complete numeric roster information for both teams, including Michigan's retired numbers. The Matchups Daily Sports Editor John Leroi breaks down the matchups on offense, defense and special teams for today's game. Game Preview Ohio State and Michigan have a long, bitter history in their rivalry, which has been reduced to one team spoiling the other's season in recent years. Today, it's back to the old days, as two equal teams battle for Big Ten supremacy. An wmoped up Michigan defensive end James Hall flattened Ohio State quarterback Joe Germaine in the Wolverines' 13-9 win over the Buckeyes last season. COVER ILLUSTRATION BY TED ADAMS/Daily By Ma Goldebach Daily Sports Editor History will be on display tomorrow afternoon. One of college football's most storied rivalries, and perhaps its most vicious, will add a new chapter to its annals that will have higher stakes than any other in almost a quarter cen- tury. When No. I Michigan (7-0 Big Ten, 10-0 overall) and No. 4 Ohio State (6-1, 10-1) square off tomorrow at Michigan Stadium, there will be more than simple bragging rights on the line. This year's blockbuster is not just about Midwestern supremacy or trash-talking. Michigan is hoping for its first unde- feated regular season since 1971 and its first trip to the Rose Bowl since the 1992 season, the last of five consecu- tive trips to Pasadena. Ohio State is hoping for revenge and possibly a repeat appearance in the Rose Bowl for the first time in more than 20 years. The past two seasons, upset victories by downtrodden Michigan have destroyed perfect seasons for second- ranked Ohio State teams. A 31-23 vic- tory in 1995 cost the Buckeyes a trip to the Rose Bowl, and a 13-9 victory last year cost them a possible national championship. The Buckeyes went on to an Il-I record that incluced a Rose Bowl victory. Now, perhaps, it is Ohio State's turn to issue some paybacks. The Buckeyes are now the underdogs. "They say pay- backs are a mother," Ohio State line- backer Kevin Johnson said, "and there will be some paybacks Saturday." Paybacks are part of the long history of the rivalry. In the 1970s, the Michigan-Ohio State season finale decided the Big Ten title between the two teams and determined who would represent the conference in the Rose Bowl almost every year. Tomorrow's game will continue that tradition, play- ing a major part in determining the Big Ten's Rose Bowl representative for the 37th time. Michigan and Ohio State were the only Big Ten teams to go to the Rose Bowl from 1968-77 - which made up most of a period commonly called "The Ten-Year War." With the excep- tion of the 1971 season, the two teams decided who would go to Pasadena amongst themselves on the final day of the season. From 1969 on, Michigan was led by legendary coach Bo Schembechler, who coached against his mentor, Ohio State's Woody Hayes. Four times Ohio State won, four times Michigan won. A 10-10 tie by two undefeated teams in 1973 tied them for the Big Ten title. A vote of Big Ten athletic directors chose which team that conference would send west. The ADs chose the Buckeyes. This year again, it likely will be either Michigan or Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. The last time these two played under those circumstances was in 1986. Michigan won the game in Columbus, 26-24, and earned a trip to the Rose Bowl. No current Michigan player has made the trip to Pasadena. And accord- ing to the Wolverines, that just makes them hungrier. "I came to Michigan because they won a lot of Rose Bowls and I wanted to win one," safety Marcus Ray said. "We haven't won a Rose Bowl since 1993. We slipped a little bit, but now we're back." If Michigan wins tomorrow, it goes to Pasadena. If Ohio State wins, both teams must wait and see if Penn State (5-1, 8-1) loses one of its last two games. If the Nittany Lions do lose or tie to either Wisconsin or Michigan State, and Ohio State wins, the Buckeyes would win the conference title because there would just be a two-way tie and the Buckeyes would win the tiebreaker because they beat Michigan. If Penn State wins its last two games, and if Michigan loses tomor- row, creating a three-way tie, the Wolverines would go to the Rose Bowl because of the Big Ten's final tiebreak- er - the team whose absence from the Rose Bowl has been the longest. Michigan last went after the 1992 sea- son, while Penn State went in 1994 and Ohio State last season. The Rose Bowl, however, has the option of selecting any Big Ten team that is ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in either poll. Therefore, if either Ohio State or Penn State were to finish the season ranked ahead of Michigan and in the top two, that team would go to Pasadena. . "Our main objective is to go out and win and let everything else take care of itself, the national championship and the Rose Bowl," Ohio State offensive tackle Eric Gholston said. A victory in this game often makes or breaks a season for these two because of the intensity of the rivalry and the emotional baggage that comes Michigan tailback Chris Howard dives over a pile of offensive and defensive 2 and previously undefeated Ohio State. The Buckeyes would like to return with it. Players often say that they . could go into this game 0-10, but if they emerge with a victory, their sea- ' son is a success "The Michigan game is everything to us," Ohio State linebacker Jerry e t Rudzinski said. "In the off-season, you're thinking about it. Lifting weights, you're thinking about it. Going to class you're thinking about it. During spring ' ball, all you think about is them because of what they represent." 546 Packard 769-5555 Central 995-9101 North SInc1948 Campus ---------------r------------------------- I ~ 1 j 1 Large 1-Topp n Medium 1-Toppin Piza 99 Pizza$6: 2nd Pizza $600 plus tax : & Breadsticks or 2 sodas tax I Good only at Packard and Maiden Ln t Good only at Packard and Maiden Ln 1 i kaatins.Notvalid with any otherf locations. Not valid with any other offers. offers. j1. Expires 12-31-97 Exp>res 12-31-97 1 f ju 1 g 5kw. 5"8,~ ~jj~ 5kw. 499 fI tII I Medium 1-Toppin ! 1 Large Chees plus f1 Pizzaz $549 Breadsticks after 9ptax Saturday only plus tax i Good only at Packard and Maiden Ln , Good only at Packard and Maiden Ln I o with any other flocations. Not valid with any other Exires 12-3197 t-Expire12-31-97 ..__ _-_- - __ ____ ____