Michigan Ohio State
Big 10 Record 6-1 10-1
Record 9-2 5-5
Rank #5 #4
Statistical Leaders
PASSING
Michigan - John Navarre 222-378 2782 yds. 21 TD 8 INT
Ohio State - Craig Krenzell 122-221 1630 yds. 9 TD 8 INT
RUSHING
Michigan - Chris Perry 1471 yds. 15 TD
Ohio State - Lydell Ross 722 yds. 9 TD
RECEIVING
Michigan - Braylon Edwards 68 rec. 901 yds. 12 TD
Ohio State - Michael Jenkins 41 rec. 606 yds. 5 TD
Michigan run vs. Ohio State run defense
Thsi will be THE marquee showdown of the game. Chris Perry is the #2 back in the nation going up against the Buckeyes' #1 rush defense. No team in the nation uses the play action as effectively as Michigan does and maybe effective play action will keep the linebackers on their toes to open up some holes for Perry. I think 70 yards and a TD is a reasonable goal for the Wolverines, as there is no tema in the nation that will win this battle with the Buckeyes, but UM may come the cloest. Edge: OHIO STATE
Michigan pass vs. Ohio State pass defense
This is very simple. Ohio State's front seven needs to shut down Perry, to allow the safties to stay back and guard the best group of receivers in the nation. There is too much speed and too mcuh depth here for Michigan for Ohio State to hope to win this battle. What they need to be able to do is prevent the big play and cause a turnover, but Michigan will win this battle against any defensive backfield. Edge: MICHIGAN
Ohio State run vs. Michigan run defense
Ohio State has found some sort of running game in the last couple weeks. However the Michigan defense has had an entirely new committment to the run following the debacle against Minnesota. Ross is an adequate back, but he's not a championship back. The way the Michigan defense plays lately, you need a championship back and more importantly a healthy offensive line. OSU had two linemen injured against the Boilers, they need to be back. Edge: MICHIGAN
Ohio State pass vs. Michigan pass defense
The loss of Drew Carter is bigger than many might think. Jenkins is good, but nothing special and Santonio Holmes is dangerous but young. However Ben Hartsock is the best tight end in the conference, and Michigan might need to use the speed of young linebacker Prescott Burgess to stick with him. Marlin Jackson was back for the Northwestern game, but did not look 100%. Says here he will be the Marlin of old this week and that will keep this in balance. Edge: even
Special Teams
Ohio State has the 2nd best kicker and perhaps the best punter in the conference. The kicking gmae was the biggest factor in their victory over Purdue. Jenkins is a good return man but nothing like Michigan's Steve Breaston. Ohio State punter B.J. Sander has the task of taking Breaston out of the game. He has a better chance of doing that than anyone else and I think his high hangers and placement punts will take Breaston out of the game. Edge: OHIO STATE
Intangibles
Lloyd Carr is now 0-2 against Jim Tressel, and he better not fall to 0-3 with next year's game in Columbus. Homefield advantage is huge here and Navarre and Perry need to use that in their final game in Michigan Stadium. Navarre has been much better at home than on the road in his career and is actually 19-2 at home for the maize and blue (with one loss coming in 2001 against OSU). He has showed tremendous maturity this year and I somehow doubt that Perry and Navarre will let the Buckeyes come into their house, in thier final game and steal their Big 10 Title. Edge: MICHIGAN
