Eddie George is gone. Bobby Hoying is gone. Terry Glenn is gone. Three standout players are no longer part of the Ohio State football program that entered the final week of last season ranked second in the nation.
But to Ohio State, change is good.
The Buckeyes (7-0 Big Ten, 10-0 overall) may be ranked second once again in late November, heading into their game against No. 21 Michigan (4-3, 7-3) at Ohio Stadium tomorrow at 12:10 p.m., but they've changed quite a bit.
Last year, they needed to beat Michigan to go to the Rose Bowl, and they lost. This year, they have already locked up a Rose Bowl berth.
Last year, they had a solid quarterback whose play was among the nation's best. This year, they can't decide who will be quarterback, but that's because they have two good ones.
Last year, players like Glenn gave the Wolverines extra motivation with comments like, "Michigan is nobody." This year, they've kept their mouths shut.
"They're an outstanding football team - maybe a great one," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "We're going to have to play our best game to beat them."
Look at the statistics. After losing their three dominant offensive stars, the Buckeyes are having no trouble putting points on the board.
They have scored 426 points this season, accumulating the third-highest total in Ohio State history. They are currently averaging 42.6 points per game, third best in the nation. They are 11th in the nation in total offense (465.8 yards per game), 10th in rushing (245.9) and 43rd in passing (219.9).
And this is with a running back starting for the first time, Pepe Pearson, and a two-quarterback rotation, consisting of Stanley Jackson and Joe Germaine, two situations that are hardly ideal for a potent offense.
"They always come up with an outstanding back, and Pearson is just one in a long line," Carr said. "I don't think their offense is going to change depending on who the quarterback is. They both know the offense. They've both had a lot of experience. With Jackson in there, he gives the added dimension of being able to make a play with his running ability."
Carr won't be able to prepare too much anyway, because Ohio State coach John Cooper isn't going to announce the starter until game time.
"We have not made a final determination as to who will start at quarterback," Cooper said. "Both will play, but we don't know who will start."
That move counters Carr's decision not to announce who will start at tailback for the Wolverines - Chris Howrad or Clarence Williams.
Both Ohio State signal-callers will have room to work. Ohio State's best player is 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman Orlando Pace, who also plays some defensive end and is being promoted by Ohio State for the Heisman Trophy.
"He may be one of the greatest offensive lineman every to play the game," Carr said. "He is truly a great football player."
Ohio State's defense is among the nation's best, too.
Led by defensive tackle Mike Vrabel, the Buckeyes lead the nation in passing efficiency defense (78.3 percent), are second in scoring defense (10.1 points per game), and are seventh in both total defense (235.8 yards per game) and rushing defense (92.4).
The Wolverines, who struggled to score nine points against Purdue two weeks ago and could only muster 17 points against Penn State, might be in serious trouble. They have a lot of talent, but they've turned the ball over 10 times in the past two games.
Against a defense that scores over 10 points per game, Carr is concerned.
"If we cut out the mistakes we've made the last two games, we're going to go down there with the ability to beat this team," Carr said.
Of course, Michigan beats Ohio State more often than not. The Wolverines lead the series 52-34-6 and are 6-1-1 in the past eight games. Amid the fierce rivalry between the two schools, Cooper has felt the pressure.
"Believe me, no one respects Michigan football more than John Cooper," said Cooper, who is 2-6-1 lifetime against Michigan.
The Wolverines are well aware of that, but they have been down lately.
"It will be a true test of our attitude," Michigan cornerback Woodrow Hankins said. "This is the biggest game on our schedule. As a group of seniors, we know what we have to do, and we're going to go out and regroup fast."
KRISTEN SCHAEFER/Daily
Wolverines like strong safety Marcus Ray will have to hurdle more obstacles than they did last SAaturday if they want to come out of Columbus with a win. Michigan's last victory in Ohio Stadium was in 1990.
FILE PHOTO/Daily
Michigan tailback Tshimanga Biakabutuka ran around and through the Ohio State defense last year, racking up 313 yards to lead the Wolverines over then-No. 2 Ohio State. If Michigan is to knock off the Buckeyes, ranked second again, it will have to conquer a tougher Ohio State defense than last year.