The final matchup of the season for the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes isn't just any old game. It's "The Game".
The Wolverines travel to Columbus on Saturday afternoon for the 109th battle between the two teams. The rivalry between the two schools began in 1897 and is one of the oldest in all of college football. Michigan leads the series 58-43-6.
"There's a lot of respect on both sides for both programs," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said about the game, according to the Associated Press.
Michigan is 6-1 this season in the Big Ten and is entering the game on a three-game winning streak. The team is ranked 19th in the AP Top 25 has played well offensively the past few weeks, scoring 35 or more points in the last three games.
Denard Robinson will play his final game against Ohio State on Saturday, but he may not be at his usual position. The senior came into the season as a Heisman candidate, but has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play all season. He leads the team in passing with 1,319 yards and is also tops in rushing, gaining 1,044 yards this season.
Robinson wasn't healthy enough to play quarterback the past few weeks, instead he lined up at running back, but he may be back under center on Saturday against the Buckeyes
"I guess he could," Hoke said to the Associated Press. "I don't know. It's an option."
If he does not play quarterback, junior Devin Gardner will make his fourth straight start for Michigan. Gardner has been solid the past few weeks, leading the team to three straight wins against Minnesota, Northwestern and Iowa.
In last Saturday's game against the Hawkeyes, Gardner had 314 yards passing and three touchdowns with only one interception. Against Iowa, offensive coordinator Al Borges used Garder and Robinson together on the field to confuse the defense.
"After the Northwestern game that night, (Borges) had nine plays ready and then we put six more in," Hoke said.
During the week leading up to the Iowa game, Michigan started to work on new looks involving both quarterbacks against their own defense.
"I felt like if they knew from one practice to the next that it was coming and still couldn't stop it, then the other team would definitely not be able to stop it," Gardner said.
The season has been up and down for the Wolverines, but the team could clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game
Michigan entered the year ranked eighth in the nation, but lost their first game against No. 2 ranked Alabama 41-14. The team went on to win five of the next six games, but fell out of contention with a 23-9 loss to Nebraska on Oct. 27.
The Michigan defense has played well throughout the season, but has failed the Wolverines at the worst moments, including in a close 13-6 loss against Notre Dame on Sept. 22. The defense was stellar in a 45-0 shutout against Illinois on Oct. 13, and allowed only 13 points on Nov. 3 against Minnesota in a 35-13 win.
The Wolverines are ranked 17th in points against this season with just 18.1 per game and will have to limit big plays against the Buckeyes to keep the game close on Saturday. Last year the team went 11-2 and defeated Virginia Tech 23-20 in overtime in the Sugar Bowl.
Ohio State is undefeated in the Big Ten this season with a 7-0 record and clinched the Leaders division title last week with a win against Wisconsin 21-14 in overtime.
The team has been one of the most impressive in the country and at 11-0 is the only other undefeated team besides Notre Dame in the FBS. But this year the team will not play in any BCS or postseason games due to penalties related to NCAA violations under past coach Jim Tressel.
The Buckeyes have a chance at an Associated Press national title, but won't be able to play in the conference title game.
"I think this is just a pure, intense rivalry," Meyer said. "It doesn't matter who's undefeated, who's fighting for what, who's playing for what."
The magnitude of the rivalry between the two schools isn't lost on any of the players, especially for Ohio state linebacker Zach Boren, who's father played for Michigan.
"That's the biggest rivalry in sports," Boren said. "Now we can turn our attention to them. We'll be ready. This team keeps on getting better and better each week."
Braxton Miller has been stellar at quarterback for the Buckeyes this season, throwing for 1,850 yards and 14 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He has also rushed for a team-high 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns.
In last year's matchup between the two teams, Michigan prevailed 40-34 at home behind Denard Robinson, who combined for 337 total yards rushing and passing, and five touchdowns.
Miller had an excellent game for Ohio State in the loss, throwing for 235 yards and running for 100 while scoring three touchdowns.
Michigan has lost five games on the road in Columbus and need a victory to stay alive in the Big Ten title hunt.
"It's going to be fun," Hoke said.
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