Bodog Ohio St. vs Michigan Preview

When top-ranked Ohio State meets second-ranked Michigan on Saturday for the Big Ten lead and BCS supremacy, the storied 102-year war will hit a new climax.

But for the Wolverines, reaching what is in effect the conference championship game as the No. 2 team in the country is already a height worth celebrating. After going 7-5 in 2005, Michigan has turned its program around with an unexpectedly superb season. At this point, a loss on the road to a chief rival would be a disappointment, but it won't sting that bad. All things considered, the Wolverines have already had a successful campaign.

There's no question that when you had the type of season we had [in 2005], that you're either going to back down or you're going to get up and fight," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said in the Wolverines' news conference this week. "I don't think there's any question that it motivated all of us, and that's what it should have done."

Last season, the Buckeyes finished their season with a bang, beating No. 5 Notre Dame 34-20 in the Fiesta Bowl. Michigan's year ended with a whimper, a 32-28 loss as a 10-point favorite to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Alamo Bowl.

The ugly showcase left a bad taste in the mouths of AP voters, who opened the Wolverines at No. 14 in 2006.

With their worst finish in 22 years followed by a low ranking, whispers of a program overhaul were starting to get louder.

"At the beginning of the year, people were saying that Michigan is not the same anymore," Carr explained to reporters. "They were saying we had slipped a few notches. They were saying Lloyd was on the hot seat. We proved them all wrong, and proved we weren't a joke. We snuck up on people."

They caught Notre Dame sleeping first, crushing them 47-21 as 5 1/2-point underdogs. And when they followed that blowout with three dominant conference victories versus Wisconsin (27-13), at Minnesota (28-14), and versus Michigan State (31-14), it was hard for voters not to take notice.

Their return as a Big Ten powerhouse has even left bettors confused as to who to take in the matchup, the first between these two teams for first place in the national rankings this late in the season. Lines opened at -7, and after fluctuating one way or the other, have appeared to steady at Ohio State by a touchdown. The Buckeyes are 4-1 straight up and against the spread in their past five meetings with Michigan. And there has already been talk of a possible rematch in the BCS title game, since a high volume of top-ranked teams have suffered upsets, potentially leaving them out of the national title game.

“Everybody counted us out, we came in ranked 14th and here we are [playing] for the Big Ten championship," Michigan center Mark Bihl said. "I think it definitely was a boost for us. We always reminded ourselves who we were last year, 7-5, and we definitely didn't want to go down that road again. So we definitely worked harder in the offseason, and continued to prepare to have success."

The offseason program sparked improvement on defense. Under the tutelage of first-year coordinator Ron English, the Wolverines have allowed only 12.1 points per game after allowing 19.3 points in 2005.

Also, the offense regained the key to its attack. Junior running back Mike Hart, slowed by a hamstring injury last season, returned to full strength and to being Michigan's workhorse, garnering 1,373 yards on the ground with 11 touchdowns in 11 games.

"I think the difference in Mike Hart today is that he is much stronger, and obviously he has a great ability to find a crease, a small crease, and he's tough," Carr said. "[He] seems to bleed the defense for an extra yard or two because of whatever he has inside of him."

The quick turnaround has made the boxing biopic “Cinderella Man” a regular motivation piece for Carr and his team from week-to-week. The true story of a beaten boxer staging a miraculous comeback in the ring has served as a mirror to their own rags-to-riches football story.

“You can relate it a lot to our season last year, it fits perfectly,” Bihl said. “Just coming back from a very uncomfortable season last year to having things go the way we wanted it to this year, it's that Cinderella story."

The only thing missing is a historic ending.

INSIDE THE GAME:

Ohio State on Offense:

Ohio State has been all about balance with their superstar trio this year. Receiver Tedd Ginn Jr. has amassed 677 receiving yards, running back Antonio Pittman is a steady threat with 1,032 yards on the ground, and quarterback Troy Smith has posted Heisman Trophy numbers with 2,191 passing yards along with 26 touchdowns.

But if Michigan shuts down the main weapons, look for the Buckeyes’ offense to focus on its silent assassin, WR Anthony Gonzales. Amid all the talk of Ginn's pro potential, Gonzales has shown he deserves plenty of recognition himself because of his 673 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Michigan on Defense:

With a run defense that’s best in the country (allowing just 29.9 yards per game and 1.3 yards per carry), the Michigan defense should be able to smother Antonio Pittman all afternoon.

Their dominant front four led by All-America candidate Lamar Woodley should also keep Troy Smith scrambling more than usual with a pass rush that has totaled 84 tackles for a loss and 41 sacks this year.

Michigan on Offense:

Although QB Chad Henne has had a great junior year with 18 touchdowns and only seven interceptions the Wolverines’ primary weapon will be running back Mike Hart. With Hart rushing for 124.8 yards per game, the passing attack has remained simple. Henne has only one game with more than 30 completions and his QB rating has been above 100 in every contest.

Ohio State Defense:

The Buckeyes have allowed an NCAA-low 7.8 points per game and will have to contain Hart to maintain that average. With 33 total sacks and a Big Ten-leading 21 interceptions, the Buckeyes will be salivating whenever Henne drops back to take a shot downfield.

TOP PHOTO: Quarterback Chad Henne leads the Wolverines into the Horseshoe on Saturday. (AP Photo)

Note: All NCAA football lines subject to change.

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