Michigan vs. OSU Preview Part 1

Michigan vs. OSU, November 18, 3:36 PM
ABC-Brent Musberger (play-by-play), Bob Davie and Kirk Herbstreit (experts) with Lisa Salters and Erin Andrews on the sideline

Series
This is the 103rd meeting between these two teams, in what many consider the "Greatest Rivalry." Michigan leads the series, 57-39-6. However, it is worth noting that the series numbers are deceiving, Michigan was 13-0-2 against OSU in the first 15 games, and since 1951(Woody Hayes' first year) OSU leads the series 27-26-2. OSU has won 4 of the last 5 including the last two in Columbus and has a two-game winning streak against Michigan. Both teams are undefeated this season, and that actually has happened 17 times, but only twice since 1935, in 1970 and 1973. In 1970 OSU won the game 9-0. The teams tied in 1970. It is the 8th time that one of the teams has been ranked #1 (Michigan-'48 and '97, OSU-'54, '69, '73 and '75.)
In the game last year OSU scored in the last minute to win 25-21 in Ann Arbor. Things looked grim when OSU was down 21-12 in the final quarter, but Troy Smith led two scoring drives in the final 8 minutes. In one drive Holmes caught a 26-yard pass. In the last scoring drive, Pittman was just supposed to center the ball for a field goal, but he was able run into the endzone. In that last drive, Smith was 7 of 8 for 77 yards, with an incredible leaping 27-yard reception by Anthony Gonzalez. Smith was legendary with a career-high 300 yards with 27 of 37 passing. OSU had 418 offensive yards versus Michigan's 255. Michigan was able to lead the Buckeyes going into the fourth quarter, due to two OSU turnovers. The defense had to play without Bobby Carpenter at linebacker, due to a fracture in his right leg. Taking his place in the first quarter was true freshman James Laurinaitis, a name most fans did not know last year.

Coaches
Jim Tressel is 61-13 in his sixth season at OSU. Tressel is 4-1 against Michigan, with the sole loss being in 2003.

Coach Lloyd Carr is 113-34 in his 12th year at Michigan. Before taking the position of head coach he was an assistant coach for 15 years at Michigan. He is 6-5 versus OSU, and Tressel has given him a bit of trouble in the past five years. Before Tressel, Carr was 5-1 against Coach Cooper.