Ohio State defeats Michigan 37-7

Ohio State put 24 points on the board in the first half of Saturday’s game against Michigan and didn’t allow the Wolverines to score but once mid-way through the second quarter. Michigan’s prolific offense and bad defense turned into a mediocre offense and a bad defense as Ohio State put up 37 points and didn’t allow Michigan to score when they had the ball. A terrible kicking game by Michigan also produced 5 fourth down attempts that did not help the team from up north put points on the board.

By Steve Patterson

The Wolverines (7-5) are troubled and rumors soar about Rich Rodriguez being let go. Even with this being his best year as Head Coach and the team being eligible for a bowl game. Coach Rodriquez himself admitted that he thought the program would be in a lot better shape after three years running the show. But transitioning from a power team to a spread team has taken time and spread offenses aren’t always the best to run when you go up against a Big Ten schedule.

The game marked seven straight loses for Michigan and seven straight wins for Jim Tressel and Ohio State (11-1). Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel has only lost one time to Michigan and has made the rivalry almost boring for fans who used to worry mightily about the outcome.

Michigan was in the game until Jordan Hall returned a kick-off 85 yards for a touchdown. After scoring and only being down 10-7, Michigan let the reserve running back for the Buckeyes run back a kick-off that increased their lead and made a Michigan upset unlikely. Ohio State scored one more time before half pushing their lead to 17.

Despite Ohio State suffering two celebration penalties for displaying the Block-O in the end-zone after touchdowns, field position was consistently better for the Buckeyes. The team was outfitted with special gloves to go along with their throw-back Nike uniforms that made the Block-O when their hands were held together. The referees for the game didn’t like the gloves as much as the players and athletic department in Columbus.

Daniel Boom Herron had another outstanding day with 175 yards on the ground and one record setting 89 yard run from scrimmage. The Buckeyes were up 24-7 at half-time and ran the ball during the second half to secure the victory. Terrelle Pryor ran for 49 yards on the day with Jordan Hall and Brandon Saine also getting 3 carries a piece.

Michigan’s Denard Robinson was troubled by a hand injury and did not finished out the game. Tate Forcier took over the offense but had only a slightly better passer rating of 85.9 compared to 85.0. And Forcier wasn’t able to provide the rush attempts that got Michigan 105 yards on the ground before Robinson was unable to return.

Ohio State won the turnover battle with one interception and two fumble recoveries on the day.

The Buckeyes not only beat their main rival in the conference but finished the season with a share of the Big Ten title along with Wisconsin and Michigan State. Wisconsin will get the conferences automatic bid to the Rose Bowl but Ohio State is more-than-likely going to also appear in a BCS bowl as the fans travel well and the team is currently ranked sixth nationally.

The two games played in Columbus during Coach Rodriguez’s tenure are the worst two loses since 1968 by Michigan.