OHIO STATE WRAPS UP BIG TEN OUTRIGHT, MICHIGAN SENT HOME

Make it 8-1 for Tressel in the Michigan-Ohio State series as Ohio State downed MI 21-10. The win gives OSU their record 6th win over Michigan, an outright Big Ten Title and sends MI home with no hopes of a bowl game for the 2nd straight year.  Let's take a look at the keys to OSU's victory.

1.  DEFENSE:  Ohio State Defense set the tone with an early turnover and spotting The Bucks a 7-0 lead.  MI was able to move the ball, but not cash in for the points needed to spring the upset.  They also missed a short Field goal.   

2. TURN OVERS:  Very rarely will any team win with 5 turnovers and that was the case for Michigan. Many of those Wolverine turnovers came deep into OSU's territory as the Buckeyes used the end zone and Forcier's eyes as additional defenders.  Pressure forced Forcier into some errors, however, the true freshmen did find some success through the air zipping in key passes and making impressive throws on the run.  But when MI needed it the most, they couldn't make their drives count!

3. RUNNING: Ohio State ran over MI for a 250-80 yard advantage.  The Buckeyes moved on the ground when it mattered the most.  As MI trimmed The Buckeye's lead to 7-3 in the 2nd and then 14-10, following an OSU turnover in the 3rd, Ohio State, kept the ball for the most part on the ground and using Pryor's effective legs distanced themselves from The Blue with 2 responding touchdowns. 

4. THE VEST: Don't let the score fool you, somewhat to the dismay of this Buckeye fan, Tressel played conservatively and put the game into his D's hands and they didn't let him down.  In key moment of the contest, OSU punched the ball into MI's endzone with two effective drives. Tressel follows Woody's dogma of when one passes 2 out of the 3 results is bad.  

5. PLAY OF THE GAME:  As Ohio State responded to MI's only TD, the Buckeyes were at the doorstep of the Wolve's endzone. MI's outstanding DL Graham, showed why he should be seriously considered as not only All Conference, but all American. Single handedly, he threw back Saine, sacked then the elusive Pryor to shove OSU from a 1st and goal at the 2 to 3rd and goal at the 11. To the joy of Buckeye fans, MI sent the house and OSU was prepared for it.  TP waited patiently, then threw a beautiful screen pass to Herron who had escorts and easily ran in to build the 21-10 lead which was the final score. 

Michigan played with passion and had some success in the air. Ohio State used their muscle on both lines to dominate the time of possession and give them another coveted win in this what Tressel calls the "Biggest game of the year."