Michigan looks to avoid sixth straight loss to Ohio State

“The Game” between Michigan and Ohio State has become less relevant in the Rich Rodriguez era.

Less relevant in the sense that it hasn’t had any impact on the Big Ten conference winner, as No. 9 Ohio State secured their place in the Rose Bowl with a 30-27 overtime victory over Iowa. “The Game” would typically determine whether Michigan or Ohio State won the big ten (or who goes to the National Championship, see 2006).

Last season, a 3-8 Michigan team went to Ohio State, to only lose in shame, dropping their fifth straight to the Buckeyes in a 42-7 defeat.
This season, a 9-2 Ohio State squad comes to Ann Arbor licking their chops against a Michigan defense that has held only one big ten opponent (Michigan State) to under 30 points this season. "Defensively, we are reaching to find an answer to stop people," Rodriguez said.

The Wolverines, at 5-6, need a win over the Buckeyes to earn a bowl bid. They also need a win to keep assure Michigan fans that the rivalry against Ohio State is still competitive, as they haven’t beaten them since 2003 in the Big House.
"There's no question we've got one more chance," Rodriguez said. "I've asked the team to be extra focused. We've been focused all year, but this is the biggest game of the year. Our guys know that."

Some good news for Michigan is they have put up 60 points the past two weeks. Bad news is they haven’t beaten an FBS (football bowl subdivision) opponent since September 26, as they squeaked by fellow big ten cellar dweller Indiana (both 1-6 in the conference).

"If I have to spend 10 hours this week watching film, I'm going to do that," Tate Forcier said. "We're going to get the seniors to a bowl game. We're going to come out and do what we need to do to beat Ohio State.”



[Information from ESPN was used in this report.]