Ohio State @ Michigan preview
Michigan Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2010 ) Michigan 7, Ohio State 37
THE STORY: The Big Ten's signature rivalry takes center stage when Ohio State travels to face No. 16 Michigan. The Buckeyes have won six consecutive games against the Wolverines (excluding last year's vacated victory) but are down this season, coming off consecutive losses against Purdue and Penn State. Michigan, meanwhile, is looking to carry over momentum from a 45-17 rout of then-No. 17 Nebraska.
TV: ABC. LINE: Michigan -7.5.
ABOUT OHIO STATE (6-5): The Buckeyes, who are just 1-3 in true road games, have struggled this year largely to a stagnant offense that ranks 108th among FBS teams in total yardage (315.0) and 118th in passing (118.0). Quarterback Braxton Miller is the team's leading rusher with 595 yards, but he has completed just 48.6 percent of his passes. Ohio State has the 14th-ranked defense in the nation, yielding an average of 19 points.
ABOUT MICHIGAN (9-2): Junior QB Denard Robinson has been the headliner, but the Wolverines owe much of this year's revival to an improved defense that is sixth nationally in points allowed (15.6) while scoring three touchdowns itself. Senior LB Brandon Herron has returned a fumble and an interception for scores. The country's 12th-ranked rushing offense is paced by Robinson (993 yards, 14 TDs) and sophomore RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (891 yards, 9 TDs).
EXTRA POINTS
1. Though it has not beaten the Buckeyes since 2003, Michigan still holds a 57-43-6 lead in the overall series.
2. This marks just the third time in series history that both teams have a first-year head coaches. New Ohio State coaches are 5-10-2 in their debuts against Michigan.
3. Ohio State had not lost back-to-back November games since 1999, when it dropped three straight to finish its last non-winning season at 6-6.
PREDICTION: Michigan 27, Ohio State 13. The Buckeyes' inability to move the ball, particularly on the road, will likely mean the end of their longest win streak against the Wolverines.