0 E _
. ..
The Daily's breakdown
By MICHAEL EISENSTEIN and
ANDY REID
Daily Sports Editors'
'M' RUN OFFENSE VS. OSU
Something's going to have to give
in this category.
Michigan is the Big Ten's second-
best rushing team, posting almost
200 ypg. Ohio State is a defensive
stalwart, holding teams to a Big.
Ten-best83 rushingyards pergame.
Brandon Minor, one of the Big
Ten's best backs, is out for Ohio
State. After finally rehabbing his
ankle, Minor banged up his shoul-
der against Wisconsin and has been
very limited in practice this week.
Minor's absence will be a huge
blow to Michigan's upset hopes.
Edge: Ohio State
'M' PASS OFFENSE VS. OSU
Tate Forcier had one of his best
games of the season last week at
Wisconsin, completing almost 77
percent of his passes. Still, he didn't
reach the 200-yard plateau, and a
few of his completions weren't the
most accurate passes, which limited
potential yards after the catch.
This will be the best passing
defense Forcier has faced since the
Iowa game, in which he was a paltry
8-of-19 for 94 yards and an intercep-
tion. Chances are, he'llhave a similar
day against the vaunted Buckeye 'D.'
Edge: Ohio State
'M' RUSHING DEFENSE VS. OSU
For the past few games, the Buck-
eyes' rush offense has become more
and more versatile.
When Ohio State quarterback
Terrelle Pryor injured his ankle two
weeks ago, the Buckeyes started run-
ning a dangerous wildcatplayset. But
now, Pryor is much healthier.
"We look at it as if we've got four
different runners, and at the moment
we worked it, the runningbacks were
healthier than Terrelle," Ohio State
coach Jim Tressel told The Cleve-
land Plain Dealer. "The good news is
I'd like to think we'll go into Saturday
and all four will be healthy."
Coupled with Michigan's lack-
luster rush defense - only Purdue is
worse - this is not a good matchup
for the Wolverines. If Michigan
doesn't want to break the record for
points given up in a season (it would
need to allow 40 Saturday), then
the underperforming linebacker
corps willhave to playone of itsbest
games yet - especially with OSU's
deadly rush attack.
Edge: Ohio State
M' PASS DEFENSE VS. OSU
This is where the stats might be a
bit misleading.
Pryor's passing ability, particular-
ly in a non-spread offense, has been
the topic of controversy at many
points throughout the season. But
even though Ohio State is last in the
Big Ten with less than 2,000 pass-
ing yards, Pryor is greatly improved
from last yearthrough the air.
And last year against Michigan,
despite-throwing going 5-of-13,
Pryor still racked up 120 yards and
a pair of touchdowns.
Against a Michigan secondary
that has looked abysmal at times,
there's no telling the damage Ohio
State's passing attack can do -
assuming its run game isn't effective.
Sure, the Wolverine defensive
coordinator Greg Robinson is pull-
ing out all the stops schematically,
and might have something up his
sleeve for this week as well. But the
key to Michigan stopping the Buck-
eyes is execution above all else.
Edge: Ohio State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Well, Michigan does have a
strong edge in punting.
Fifth-year senior Zoltan Mesko,
one of the best punters in the coun-
try, is going up against a counter-
part that is on the opposite end of
things - last in the Big Ten,
Their seven-yard difference in
punting average could .come into
play if this turns into a battle offield
position.
Just two kickers in the confer-
ence have missed more field goals
than the Buckeyes, while fifth-year
senior Jason Olesnavage has been
fairly consistent.
Ohio State's only advantage might
be in kickoff coverage, in which the
Buckeyes are best in the Big Ten.
Michigan return man Darryl Sto-
num hasn't had nearly as much
impact as he did in the beginning of
the season, and the Buckeyes' domi-
nance will quell his influence.
Edge: Michigan
INTANGIBLES
It's in the Big House. It's Senior
Day. That "42-7" score is still leavinga
bad taste in every Wolverines' mouth.
Michigan is going to be jacked for
this game.
Still, the stigma of Jim Tressel's
7-1 record against Michigan and the
fact that it's been close to 2,200 days
since Michigan won in The Game
gives the Buckeyes a little swagger.
The fact of the matter is that this
is stillthe greatest rivalry in sports,
regardless of Michigan's recent
woes. When it comes to Michigan-
Ohio State, you can throw the
records out the window.
Plus, it's the 40th anniversary of
the '69 team, which will be in atten-
dance. Maybe that will do some-
thing for the team?
Edge: Michigan
OHIO STATE 35, MICHIGAN 17
MICHIGAN DEPTH CHART
VS.
OHIO STATE
HeismanTrophy Winners
Achie Grifi
Desmond Howrd
reflect on the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry
PHOTO COURTESY OF THEOHIO STATE ALUMNI ASSOcATION
By Courtney Ratkowiak I Daily Sports Editor
OFFENSE
QB
RB
1. Forcier, Tate Freshman, No. 5
2. Robinson, Denard Freshman, No.16
1. Brown, Carlos Senior, No. 23
2. Smith, Vincent Freshman, No. 2
1. Grady, Kevin Fifth-year senior, No. 24
2. Moundros, Mark RS junior, No. 44
W R 1. Stonum, Darryl Sophomore, No.22
2. Mathews, Greg Senior, No.13
1. Hemingway, Junior RS sophomore, No. 21
2. Savoy, LaTerryal Fifth-year senor, No. 82
SLO T 1.Odoms, Martavious Sophomore No. 7
S T 2. Rountdree, Roy RS freshman, No. 12
DEFENSE
1. Graham, Brandon Senior, No. 55
D 2. Heininger, Will RS sophomore, No. 39
.Van Bergen, Ryan RS sophomore, No. 53
[l 2. Banks, Greg Junior, No. 92
T 1. Martin, Mike Sophomore, No. 68
\T 2. Campbell, William Freshman, No. 73
1. Roh, CraigFreshman, No. 88
E LB 2. Herron, Brandon RS sophomore, No. 58
1. Ezeh, Obi RS junior, No. 45
M L B 2. Leach, Kevin RS sophomore, No. 52
1. Mouton, Jonas RS junior, No. 8
W L B 2.Leach, KevinRS sophomore, No. 52
1. Brown, Stevie Senior, No. 3
SLB 2. Simmons, Floyd RS freshman, No. 23
1. Warren, Donovan Junior, No. 6
L 2. Turner, J.T. Freshman, No. 2
1.Kovacs, Jordan RS freshman, No. 32
S i 2. Van Slyke, Jared RS sophomore, No. 31
1. Smith, Brandon RS freshman, No. 4
FS 2. Emilien, Vladimir RS freshman, No. 5
TE
LT
LG
1. Koger, Kevin Sophomore, No. 86
2. Webb, Martell Junior, No. 80
1.Ortmann, Mark Fifth-year senior, No. 71
2. Dorrestein, Perry RS junior, No. 79
1. Schilling, Steve RS junior, No. 52
2. Mealer, Elliot RS freshman, No. 57
ARCHIE GRIFFIN
Ohio State Buckeyes running back, 1972-75
Griffin is still the only two-time Hcisman Trophy winner in history,
winning it in 1974 and 1975. He was also the first to start in four Rose
Bowls, and still holds the NCAA record for most consecutive 100-yard
rushing ganmes, with 31.
Inhis four years, Ohio State had a 40-5-1 record, including a 3-0-1
record over Michigan.
The Michigan Daily: I've read that (legendary Ohio State football coach)
Woody Hayes would fire you up oil the Monday before you played Michigan by bring-
ingin a formerplayerto describe the significance of the rivalry. Whatwas aparticularly
memorable example of this
Griffin: During the course of the whole week before the Michigan game, he'd certainly
have forier players come iand talk vith ens about their experience with the Michigan game.
And the players that hewould bring in were pretty emotional about that experience, and itcame
through ahen they wOUIld talk to the team.
And one particular instance ott my first Michigan week that we had happened with a guy by
the name of Dave Whitfield (Ohio State defensive end, 1967-69).... He got to talk to the team,
and tears were comingout of his eyes.
And I looked aroundthe room and I saw the lookonother players'faces, and I just said,'Wow,
I mean. this thing is even biggerthan I thought. What have I gotten myself into?' Because itxwas
really an iemotional situation, and it was like people were ready to run out that room and play
the Mlichigan game right there ott that Monday. And I know that that's not what Coach Hayes
wanted atthattime, because lie likesto get yoU tp gradually for a game -hedon'tswant you tobe
readyto play thatganne on Monday, he wants you to be ready to play iton Saturday.
But it was very emotional and it gave me a real feel for what the game was all about. Dave
Whitfield did that.
The Michigan Daily: In your four years on the team, what was your
most memorable Michigan-Ohio State game moment?
Griffin: When people askyou about the games you played in and whatnot, they don't
usually ask about many of the other schools in the Big Ten. But the one you can be sure that
they're going to ask about is Michigan. How did you do against Michigan?
I' m proud to say that I never lost to Michigan. And that's something that I say, and I'm
very, very proud of that.
The last one we played at Michigan, 1975, we were tied for the Big Ten and Michigan had
to beat us in order to go to the Rose Bowl.... And theywere beatingnis - theywere beating us
pretty good. I think they were ahead 14-7 with four minutes to go.
And I'll never forget at that time ... when the offense went out on the field, we thought
this might be our last shot. (Ohio State quarterback Cornelius Greene) called the players
together and -we held hands in the huddle and said a little prayer,-and just asked the Lord to
give us strength to play the type of football we're capable of playing.
We went out there and started movingthe football. Scored a touchdown, tied it up 14-14.
Michigan probably got a little desperate because a tie would have kept us in the Rose Bowl,
and they started passing the football and threw an interception to my younger brother,
-(Ohio State cornerback) Ray (Griffin). And Ray took it down to about the 4- or 5-yard line
and we took it over again for another touchdown and we ended upwinningtthe game 21-14.
And that really stands out in my mind, and it shouldn't stand out in my mind, because I
had a streak of 31 straight 100-yard games goingnon, and Michigan stopped me from getting
100 yards that day, But the fact we won that game trumped the fact that I didn't get the 100
yards.
1. Moosman, David Fifth-year senior, No. 60
2. McAvoy, Tim Fifth-year senior, No. 60
RC
1. Woolfolk, Troy Junior, No. 29
2. Floyd, J.T. RS freshman, No. 12
RG
RT
1. Omameh, Partrick RS freshman, No. 65
2. Ferrara, John RS junior, No. 74
1. Dorrestein, Perry RS junior, No. 79
2. Huyge, Mark RS sophomore, No. 72
DESMOND HOWARD
Michigan wide receiver, 1989-91
Howhad no one thought to doit sooner?
Desmond Howard, Michigan's second Heisman Trophy winner, raced nnp
the Ohio State sideline on a punt return during the 1991 edition of The Game.
He stood in the end zone and briefly struck the iconic bronze statue's pose, thus
cementinghis place in Heisman lore. Howard went on to win the Heisman by the
largest manrgin in history at that time.
In his three years, Michigan had a 29-7 record, including a 3-0 record against
Ohio State..
The Michigan Daily: How much would you say theMichigan Ohio State rivalry
defined your playing days?
Howard: Well. that game was huge. It was the biggest thing in college football for us
outside of going to the Rose Bowl, and sometimes maybe even biggertthan the Rose Bowl.
It was as big as it gets, especially during the regular season. All eggs were in the basket during
that week and during that gane. It was as big as it gets, and it was the biggest rivalry in college
football, if not all sports.
The Michigan Daily: Inyour threevears on the team,whatwasyour most mem-
orable Michigan-Ohio State game moment?
Howard: well, we never lost to Ohio State. I don't know what it tastes like to lose to
the Buckeyes. I've never had any other feeling but happiness after playing Ohio State.
I guess the biggest moment for ue was taking the punt-return back for the touchdown and
striking the Heisnnan pose. That was probably the biggest moment because I was so frus-
trated during the game, because they were committed to not letting me catch a touchdown
because they played their safeties so far back and everything. So in an attempt to make a
play, I caught the ball when I shouldn't have caught it, which is inside the 10-yard line, and
taking it back for 93 yards for a touchdown. I was just trying to make a play, frustrated, and
it worked out for me.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P
K
KR
1. Olesnavage, Jason IRS senior, No. 92 1. Mesko, Zoltan IRS senior, No. 41 1. Stonurn, Darryl Sophomore, No. 22
2. Gibbons, Brendan Freshman, No. 34 2. Wright, Bryan IRS junior, No. 43 2. Grady, Kelvin RS sophomore, No. 19
Note: Depth chart as predicted by Daily football writers.