Luke Fickell and Ohio State: Focused on Michigan, Not Coaching Rumors

Columbus has had its fair share of controversy this year, but the Urban Meyer-to-Ohio State rumors have just added to it.

In the midst of speculation that current head coach Luke Fickell would be replaced by the two-time National Championship winner after an unacceptable 6-5 (3-4 Big Ten) season, Michigan still seems to remain the center of attention.

“The most important thing is this is Michigan Week,” Fickell said according to the Columbus Dispatch. “That's where we're focused. That's what we want to talk about. That's what we want our guys to understand about. It's always been about a one-game season regardless of the records.”

Ohio State has owned the series rivalry as of late, winning the last nine of 10, including seven in a row. However, the Wolverines are 9-2 in Brady Hoke's first year as coach, and the Jim Tressel dominance era has ended.

Many question whether or not the Buckeyes have it within themselves to even make it a game versus Michigan this year, and the ESPN college football betting lines have them as 7.5-point underdogs. 

It is expected that the NCAA makes its decision for the final ruling for Ohio State's penalties following the weekend. Still, reports say that Meyer is expected to accept the job despite the verdict.

“That's probably the biggest thing we came in Sunday and made sure we reiterated to (the players): Who cares what the tides are, what the records are?” he said. “Just like we've always said, it's been a one-game season and it's going to continue to be a one-game season. That's what we need to focus on...The season (record) is what it is right now, but it's always been about this week.

And we're excited about that. I know our guys are excited about that. We had the band come out Sunday night and was probably something we needed every bit as much as they did. But it really got our guys going and it got us into that groove of Michigan Week.”

If the Buckeyes were to win Saturday, it'd solidify a winning record on the year. A loss would potentially set them up for a losing season, depending on the bowl game's outcome. Ohio State hasn't finished a campaign under .500 since 1988, when it ended 4-6-1.

Nonetheless, 2011 hasn't been about the records, and it won't start now.

“No. No. It's been about Michigan,” Fickell said. “It will be about Michigan. It will be about one another. Those are the things we talk about. Everything else is out of our control.”

Ohio State travels to Ann Arbor for the 108th meeting of "The Game" at 12:00 P.M. ET this Saturday, November 26.

Go Bucks and beat Michigan!

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