Michigan vs. Ohio State.
Bo vs. Woody.
Good vs. Evil.
There is no overstating the importance and the hatred of this rivalry. And with the Rose Bowl on the line, to say this game means everything wouldn't be stretching the truth.
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| FILE PHOTO Michigan tailback Chris Howard dives over a pile of offensive and defensive lineman in the Wolverines' 13-9 upset of then-No. 2 and previously undefeated Ohio State. The Buckeyes would like to return the favor tomorrow by dethroning No. 1 Michigan. |
The Wolverines' defense has been good enough to win ballgames all by itself for much of the season, but Michigan's offense has sprung to life in its last two games, rolling up 400-plus yards against Wisconsin and Penn State.
Michigan's defense looked vulnerable against the Badgers and with starting free safety Tommy Hendricks and his backup Daydrion Taylor both probably out, the Wolverines might have a weak spot.
Still, as Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said, "If you need something to get fired up for this game, you've got a problem." And with Michigan's Charles Woodson and Ohio State's David Boston exchanging pleasantries this week, this game should be as heated as any in the history of the rivalry.
Breaking down a game this emotional, position by position, is often a futile effort, but here's a glance.
Ohio State passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense: With Brent Washington likely to start for the injured Hendricks and Michigan looking susceptible against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes will probably try to exploit Michigan's secondary.
Ohio State coach John Cooper rotates quarterbacks Joe Germaine and Stanley Jackson more often than Dennis Rodman changes his hair color. Germaine played most of last year's game against the Wolverines and is the Big Ten's leading passer this season. But Jackson has started all of the Buckeyes' games this season and Cooper said it will stay that way.
While Germaine possesses the better arm, Jackson may be more dangerous against Michigan's defense because of his mobility. Wisconsin's Mike Samuel picked apart the Wolverines' defense running the option, a play Michigan hasn't stopped all year.
Germaine has a strong and accurate arm and he has two great receivers to throw to - Boston, the conference's leading receiver, and Dee Miller. Boston ripped Woodson in the newspapers this week, much like former-Buckeye receiver Terry Glenn did two years ago, so look for Woodson to take it personally and to cover Boston like a wet blanket.
And even with a depleted secondary, Michigan's front seven should be able to get enough pressure on Germaine (or Jackson) to win the battle. After all, the Wolverines' are the nation's No. 1 pass defense.
Advantage:
Ohio State rushing offense vs. Michigan rushing defense: Wisconsin ran for 154 yards against the Wolverines last week. While that's a great figure for most defenses, it is not acceptable in Ann Arbor. The Badgers ran an inside trap with a lot of success, but Ohio State doesn't utilize the play quite so much.
Pepe Pearson is the Buckeyes' best running back with 724 yards on the ground this season, but that's a far cry from the 1,484 he ran for last season. In fact, Ohio State's most dangerous weapon could be Jackson, who runs the option well.
But that's about it for the Buckeyes, and against a phenomenal run defense led by linebackers Sam Sword and Dhani Jones, the Wolverines should be able to bottle up the Buckeyes.
Advantage:
Michigan passing offense vs. Ohio State passing defense: Ohio State boasts the nation's No. 2 passing defense behind - you guessed it - Michigan. Boston called Ohio State cornerback Antoine Winfield "better than Woodson and certainly faster."
While that might be a stretch, Winfield is a phenomenal player, much in the mold of the Buckeyes' star corner a year ago, Shawn Springs. Add safety Damon Moore into that mix, and the Buckeyes secondary is almost as intimidating as Michigan's.
While Michigan's offense isn't a juggernaut, it has played surprisingly well the last two weeks, thanks to quarterback Brian Griese and terrific blocking by the offensive line. The Wolverines' receivers haven't been impressive, but Tai Streets had his best game of the season last week and everyone remembers how he burned Springs for a 69-yard score last year.
But even though Griese does a good job getting the ball to tight end Jerame Tuman and his running backs, Ohio State is too good to give up another long score.
Advantage:
Michigan rushing offense vs. Ohio State rushing defense: Ohio State's Andy Katzenmoyer might be the best player in the Big Ten. The sophomore has been a starter since his first day on campus and has lived up to his top billing. But after the Big Kat and defensive tackle Winfield Garnett, the Buckeyes are thin against the run.
With Michigan's Clarence Williams out of the lineup, tailbacks Chris Howard and Anthony Thomas have looked stellar, especially Howard, who's rushed for more than 100-yards in two straight games. Michigan's young offensive line has finally gelled, according to center Zach Adami, and the Wolverines have been dominating the line of scrimmage.
Advantage:
Special teams: Never a bright spot for Michigan, the Wolverines have been pathetic recently. Kick and punt returners have been average, and although punter Jason Vinson hasn't been awful, he hasn't kicked as well as he did at the beginning of the season.
The Wolverines' biggest liability, however, is its field goal unit. Placekicker Kraig Baker botched a field goal and an extra point against Wisconsin prompting Carr to replace him with Jay Feely, who's been handling the kickoff duties.
Ohio State, on the other hand, has a trio of explosive returners in Boston, Gary Berry and Michael Wiley. Woodson can hold is own for Michigan, but he hasn't broken one yet this year.
Advantage:
This game should be close ... but it won't be. Ohio State has looked great since dropping a close game in Happy Valley to Penn State, but against weak competition. Dreams of the Rose Bowl are enough for Michigan to take this game over in the second half. Pack your bags Wolverines, you're heading to Pasadena.
Prediction: Michigan 24,
Ohio State 7.
11-21-97
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