Wolverines-Buckeyes: Not Your Typical "Game" Conditions

Michigan vs. Ohio State

Wolverines vs. Buckeyes

Maize and Blue vs. Scarlet and Gray

These things remain the same in 2008's version of "The Game." But when Michigan (3-8, 2-5 Big Ten) and Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) meet in Columbus this Saturday for the 105th time, much of what made the contest the greatest rivalry in college football will be missing, or will at least be altered in some way.

Here are some interesting tidbits leading up to Saturday's game:

• Ohio State opened as a 19-point favorite, which, according to The Detroit News, matches the largest spread in the game's history. The Buckeyes have already risen to a 20.5-point favorite in some sports books.
• Michigan enters the game with eight losses, the most single-season losses in its 129-year history.
• Not since 1929 has a first-year Michigan head coach lost to Ohio State. Michigan's Rich Rodriguez will have to pull off the upset if he wants to avoid going down in history with Harry Kipke, who lost to the Buckeyes in his first try 79 years ago.
• The Buckeyes have won four straight against their rival for the third time in the series' history. They have never won five consecutive games in the series.
• Michigan last won in Columbus in 2000.
• Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel is 6-1 against Michigan.
• While head coach at West Virginia from 2001-2007, Rodriguez was 4-3 against rival Pittsburgh in the "Backyard Brawl." His WVU squads outscored the Panthers 205-130 during that time.
• Nick Sheridan, a former walk-on, will start at quarterback for Michigan. I can't find the exact year, but you'd have to go back pretty far to find the last time a walk-on was under center in "The Game."

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?