Jim Tressel and Ohio State make the Michigan Rivalry Easy

Jim Tressel and Ohio State make the Michigan Rivalry Easy
Boom Herron Michigan 2008

Jim Tressel and Ohio State make the Michigan Rivalry Easy

Michigan was able to compete with the Buckeyes through two quarters in the Horseshoe on Saturday but Ohio State was able to make the big plays in both the passing game and the running game to put them on top for a fifth straight time.

By Steve Patterson

First Half

            The Buckeyes got on the scoreboard early with a 59 yard run in the first quarter by starting running back Chris Wells. Wells finished the game with 134 yards and the touchdown. To start the 2nd quarter, the Buckeyes put up another seven points this time through the air. Terrelle Pryor found Brian Hartline deep for a 53 yard touchdown. Hartline was the best performing receiver for Ohio State on the day with 71 yards and 2 touchdowns.

            Michigan was able to put seven points on the board later in the quarter with a nice drive beginning on their 35 yard line. Brandon Miner finished the drive with five runs to finally put the ball into the end-zone after several failed attempts against the difficult Buckeye defense.

Second Half

            But Ohio State was too much for the Wolverines in the second half, scoring on their first position of the period making the score 21-7 and not looking back. A 49 yard touchdown by Sophomore ‘Daniel’ Boom Herron, a second Herron touchdown from two yards out, a second catch by Hartline from senior quarterback Todd Boeckman, and a touchdown by Brian Robiskie from Terrelle Pryor all added up to put Michigan away.

Laurinaitis Reflects

            After the game senior Linebacker James Laurinaitis reflected on the accomplishment of defeating Michigan five times straight while a part of the Ohio State program. "It's obviously a great accomplishment.” He said. “I don't think we really realize it now, but I think as we get older, we'll look back on our career and stuff and realize to be a part of the first team to win five times in a row is something that is very special. We got to hear from (former OSU linebacker) Ike Kelly today at breakfast, he talked about the one that stuck with him was the fifth one they tried to get and they lost here. To be able to say forever that you're a part of this team is something that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

BCS Doesn’t Love the Big Ten

            Ohio State remains 10th in the BCS despite the victory with Penn State getting a very low ranking of 8th in the country despite their great season. I will take a good number of teams falling in the next weeks for Penn State to secure a spot in the National Championship and opening up the Rose Bowl for the Buckeyes.

            If Michigan State was able to beat Penn State on Saturday, things could be different for Ohio State but Penn State handled Michigan State with ease, beating them 49-18. Penn State and Ohio State finished co-champs of the Big Ten but the head-to-head loss by the Buckeyes gives the Nittany Lions the automatic bid for the Pasadena played bowl game.

 
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