01 Friday November 2, 2002 michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu OReTSigan ail. 8 The Game No. 12 Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State. Tomorrow, 12:15 p.m. Ohio Stadium ABC Ohio State prepared for Fiesta. Bowl bid By David Horn Daily Sports Editor' If defense and running games win championships, then Ohio State is cer- tainly in a good position to return from Tempe, Ariz. victorious. A lot needs to happen between now and then, of course, but the Buckeyes have survived this season because of the No. 2 defense in the country and the paltry 12.5 points per game it allows. Going undefeated is easy for an offense when two touch- downs will win the game every time. That shouldn't be much different tomor- row against a Michigan offense that has performed satisfactorily, at best, and inconsistently, at worst. Either way, points will be at a premium, leading many experts to surmise that special teams and the field position battle will be the deciding factors. MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE VS. OHIO STATE PASSING DEFENSE: Will Michigan quarterback John Navarre take a gamble and throw to No. 7's side of the field? Ohio State multi-position stud Chris Gamble is a defensive playmaker if ever there was one, and his matchups against Michigan receivers Ron Bellamy and Braylon Edwards will be a made-for- T.V spectacle in and of themselves. Believe it or not, Navarre will lead the Big Ten in passing yards by the end of the day tomorrow. Many of those yards came courtesy of tight end Bennie Jop- pru, who will have to have another career day in a game where short- yardage passing and moving the chains become as crucial as ever. If Michigan can lull the Buckeyes to sleep with its formulaic run-run-pass, and then open it up at opportune times (against a pass defense that allows more than 235 yards per game), it has a chance to put a few more points on the board than Ohio State is used to. Edge: Push MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. OHIO STATE RUSHING DEFENSE: B.J. Askew and Chris Perry could be running like Walter Payton, but the Buckeyes' front seven is allowing 75 yards per game on the ground and has been stopping the run better than anyone in the nation. Michi- gan simply won't win this battle. The best the Wolverines can hope for is that the ground game is moderately function- al and Navarre finds himself in a lot of 3rd-and-short situations. And as for Askew and Perry, they've been good and they've gotten better. But they're no Sweetness. Edge: Ohio State Buckeyes fans' ucee antics prove love for team By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Writer They don't dance like Bullwinkle, they don't do the wave in the second quarter and they certainly don't use keys to make noise on third down. Ohio State football fans are a different breed, and if you don't believe it, just ask Michigan equipment manager John Falk. Falk, who has been taking care of the Wolverines since 1974, has more Ohio State-Michigan stories than anyone. He also has the distinct privelege of driving the "Michigan foot- ball" 18-wheeler down to Columbus Thursday nights before the big game. Aside from getting countless "We're No. l's" (middle fingers) on his way through Ohio, he sees many things that, as Michigan coach Lloyd Carr puts it, are "X- rated." "It was about 32 degrees and (snowing), there were about three guys in a car," Falk recalled. "(They) got even with us in the truck, a guy in the back rolled his window down and stuck out his rear-end on the highway. The guy in the front seat made the motion (for me) to 'kiss it.' I don't know what those guys were thinking." They were probably thinking the same thing that thousands of Buckeyes fans were thinking in 1998 after Ohio State's 31- 16 victory. Throngs of rabid Buckeyes rushed the field (it was Ohio State's first win over Michigan in four years). For Falk it was a "frightening experience," and Carr called it "terrifying."I "It was like an invasion," Falk said. "It's every man for himself. They're kicking, swinging at you, they were kicking at (former offensive tackle Jon) Jansen, who had hurt his legt that game. I was doing pretty good until a guy hit me with his fist in the back of my head. As I was falling down, another guy came by and grabbed my hat and then I (couldn't) find I my glasses and somebody stepped on them." Falk decided he would hunker down and wait until the wave of fans slowed down, but the wave did not cease. "I couldn't catch my breath," Falk said. "I was disoriented, Ic had no idea where I was.t "Some of those people are so riled up themselves that they I don't even know what they're thinking." This'experience prompted Carr to make a statement Monday that he was very "concerned" about crowd control tomorrow. t "I hope that we are not going to have somebody killed before we do the things that are necessary to protect those people,' Carr said. "If we can't protect the students, players and coaches, we shouldn't be playing. Whatever costs are 1 necessary to ensure the safety of the people on the field is important."l Ohio State has taken action in response to Carr's requests,I as there will be more security everywhere, especially near the READING THE RIOT ACT Responding to Michigan coach Lloyd Carr's concerns about on-field safety, Ohio State promised to enhance security for this year's game. Extra security will be located around the field tomorrow, and additional personnel will also be on hand to escort Michigan players and staff to and from the stadium. Only time will tell what kind of mayhem the Buckeye fans will have in store this time around. Here's a look back at what happened after the Wolver- ines' last trip down to Columbus in 2000. Michigan 38, Ohio State 26 Before the game, an e-mail was sent out by the school's president urging students to behave responsibly no matter what the outcome. The message: "Your response to the game will reflect on the entire university. I expect every- one on and around campus to celebrate safely and peace- fully." Apparently, the plea for sanity fell on deaf ears. The car- nage from the ensuing riots: 129 fires 29 arrests Five cars overturned or significantly damaged One stabbing Tear gas and bullets fired by police . Danny Moloshok/Daily Senior Todd Howard broke up this pass to Michael Jenkins last year, but couldn't prevent the Buckeyes from winning 26-20 in Michigan Stadium. that tell you? When the Buckeyes open it up, they open it up big. To comple- ment that statistic is one that reveals the strength of Ohio State's ground game: The Buckeyes throw the ball about half as often as Navarre and the Wolverines; Ohio State relies on quarterback Craig Krenzel's mobility and of course their backfield thoroughbreds. Michigan has been guilty of giving up the big play through the air, and could fall victim to that if the secondary is overly concerned by the run (Krenzel or Clarett, et al.). But expect the Wolverines to contain Ohio State in the air, as the Buckeyes happily pound away on the ground. Edge: Michigan Edge: Ohio State Following the game, police had to physically escort fire- fighters to the scene of the riots, said Ohio State spokes- woman Elizabeth Conlisk. Ohio State sophomore Lisa Ketchmer descried the area as resembling "a Third World country." Michigan buses before and after the game. "I'm happy that Ohio State has decided to do something about it'"Falk said. "There have been a lot of times, but this is the first time anyone brought it up." The entire state of Ohio will have its eyes on the "Horse- shoe" tomorrow at noon, as there is no game that sends the Buckeyes into a frenzy like the annual season-ending clash with Michigan. Orlas King, known as "Neutron Man" by the Ohio State faithful, has been Ohio State's "Superfan" for 29 years. Four or five times during the game, Neutron Man, 60, dances to the marching band's rendition of the Pointer Sisters' "Neutron Dance." "I've been (dancing) all over the state this week," said King over the phone Wednesday. "It's unbelievable. I'm going to two 'Beat Michigan' parties tonight." Neutron Man said that he went to a "Beat Michigan" party Tuesday night in Mansfield, Ohio. More than 1,000 people were in attendance, including part of the Ohio State marching band and even Miss Ohio. "You could lose all your games all year long and beat Michigan and that coach would have his job for a long time," King said. Ask John Cooper about the inverse. SPECIAL TEAMS: Ohio State's Mike Nugent is 24-for-26 on field goal attempts this season, which certainly makes Michigan's combined 8-for-20 mark seem ever-the-less impressive. And while the field goal unit will likely come into play tomorrow, it is the pun- ters that will be key in a battle for field position. Ohio State's Andy Groom and Michigan's Adam Finley have been sim- ilarly impressive (45 and 42.4 yards per punt averages, respectively). But Groom has been blocked twice, and although a Michigan special teams unit known for its blocking has been less successful at doing so this year than in years past, Pierre Woods and his teammates on the punt block team have hit once and have been getting closer. A blocked punt is exactly the kind of play Michigan will need to win momentum and win the game. Edge: Ohio State Crossing border defines rivalry OHIO STATE RUSHING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE: Say what you will about Ohio State's last few wins. Yeah, the Buckeyes have struggled against the defini- tion of Big Ten mediocrity, but they have done so without the preemi- nent running back in the country. Maurice Clarett may or may not be ready to go tomorrow, but he says he is and that may be enough for his team. If he remains healthy and plays the entire game, Michigan would be a miracle away from vic- tory. If Clarett's shoulder is still a problem and his running is serious- ly hampered, Michigan still faces two very tough backs in Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall. As good as the Wolverines have been against the run (116.2 yards per game; 25th in the nation) they will likely be beaten on the cold ground of Columbus. By Jeff Phllips Daily Sports Editor INTANGIBLES: Michigan-Ohio State is known for this very situation, and it is the spoiler that tends to emerge victorious. For that reason and for that reason only, Michigan takes "intangibles," with history entirely on its side. Edge: Michigan The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is one that in recent years has been defined by players from the state of Ohio - both for the Wolverines and the Buck- eyes. In 1991, Desmond Howard helped lead Michigan to a dominating 31-3 vic- tory of Ohio State en route to a Heisman trophy and a Rose Bowl berth. In 1996 and 1997, cornerback Charles Woodson was the player of the game. In 1996, he shut down the Buck- eyes' star wideout Terry Glenn and nabbed two interceptions. In 1997 he defined his Heisman season with an interception in the endzone and a punt return for a touchdown. It was the play of these two players that are prominent in bringing non- Michigan recruits to Ann Arbor. California native Charles Drake's rea- son for coming to Michigan is simple. "Charles Woodson, 1997," Drake said. "That was a big thing and I just liked Michigan when I was little, espe- cially those helmets. A lot of people joke about the helmets and uniforms, but even in California a lot of kids love those helmets and uniforms." But in a bit role reversal last year, it was a Michigan native that was the story of the game. Then-freshman Craig Krenzel, led the Buckeyes to a 26-20 upset of the Wolverines. The Utica- native, playing in place of Steve Bel- lasari, was unspectacular but consistent in his play as most of the load was car- ried by senior running back Jonathan Wells. Krenzel has parlayed that perform- ance to the starting position this season, and has continued his understated, but clutch play. Though the Buckeyes are predomi- nantly a running team - as exemplified OHIO STATE PASSING OFFENSE VS. MICHI- GAN PASSING DEFENSE: Ohio State receiv- er Michael Jenkins has as many receptions this season as Edwards, but for nearly 200 more yards. What does Ohio State 16, Michigan 14 by its 200 yards per game on the ground - Krenzel's play has been outstanding in keeping Ohio State unbeaten without running back Maurice Clarett. In escap- ing upsets against Purdue and Illinois, Krenzel connected with wide receiver Michael Jenkins on a long pass play in each game. Against the Boilermakers, in the fourth quarter on 4th-and-1 and with the game on the line down 6-3, Krenzel stepped back and hit Jenkins on a 37- yard touchdown pass to go ahead for good. Versus the Illini,when it appeared the game was slipping away from the Buck- eyes in the third quarter, as they were down 10-6, Krenzel took the momen- tum right back from Illinois with a 50- yard bomb to Jenkins for the score. "I think Krenzel has done a great job of creating plays," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "He has improved a great deal and is smart and competitive, which is shown by him making a lot of plays when things broke down. He has hit some big passes, especially in the last two games." Now, just like Krenzel hopes to do again and as Woodson did before him, several Wolverines would like the chance to defeat the most prominent school from their home state. On Michigan's roster, 15 players hail from the state of Ohio, including defen- sive linemen Grant Bowman. Shawn Lazarus and Pierre Woods, fullback B.J. Askew and linebacker Carl Diggs. Each will have a chance to make an impact in the game tomorrow. "I always wanted to come to Michi- gan ever since I was little," Diggs said. "When I found out about the tradition that comes along with being a Wolver- ine, that was enough for me." Though the players were mum about th-ir nnininnc, nf n anrrmnv t1ct coocn I >. Hot T TWO MONTHS FREE RENT on selected units SemesterforWorld Peace at Maharishi University of Management www.mum.edu/peacesemester 800-369-6480 TNe the MIhiga Dily Iply em T UL IIL 5 J