Ohio State Buckeyes Vs. Michigan Wolverines: Preview, History, Fun Facts

At the beginning of each season both Ohio State and Michigan already know when they'll be playing each other. Ever since 1935 the teams have finished the season as opponents which made the Big Ten schedulers back then look like geniuses. To this day its arguably the greatest rivalry in college football, one that never disappoints and this year will be no different.

A week ago it looked as though Michigan was going to stand in the way of the Bucks returning to the national title game for the second straight time and both teams would be undefeated in the conference heading into this match up. Unfortunately both teams lost which hasn't occurred since 1959 and although many viewing fans outside the Big Ten will not be as interested, a Rose Bowl birth is still at stake. The Wolverines are very familiar with Pasadena playing three out of the last for in California and adding this year would be quite the feat after losing their first two games of the year. More notably against Appalachian State which is considered one of the greatest upsets in NCAA football history.

Ohio State on the other hand could end up in a tailspin if they lose to Michigan. Not only will they have missed out on the BCS title game and the Rose Bowl, a loss to the Wolverines would put Illinois in the #2 slot in the Big Ten and a Capital One bowl birth against possibly Florida which would most likely ship Ohio State to play in the Outback Bowl against the Auburn Tigers. However the Bucks have won three consecutive against Michigan and with a fourth Saturday it will be only the third time in the history books the Buckeyes have won four in a row against Michigan alongside the 1934-37 and 1960-63 teams.

There is a lot left to chance this year with Michigan coach Lloyd Carr most likely stepping down at season's end, Wolverine quarterback Chad Henne continues to have issues with a separated shoulder, running back Mike Hart sat out last week's game with an ankle sprain and has missed almost four games this year. Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman comes off a game where he threw three interceptions, and probably one of the biggest surprises was how Illinois ran all over OSU's defense. So your guess is as good as mine. With the uncertainty of Hart the key to this game may be Ohio State's defense and their ability to stop Michigan back-up running back Mario Manningham. Sorry Wolverine fans, I'll take the Buckeyes 28-14.

Did You Know? The 1950 game between these two squads was called the "Snow Bowl"? Buckeye coach Wes Fesler refused to cancel the game even though it would have guaranteed his team a Rose Bowl birth, and allowed his team to play in one of the worst blizzards in Ohio history. Forty-five punts later, two blocked punts one for a touchdown and the other for a safety the Michigan Wolverines won 9-3. Fesler resigned and the "World of Woody" Hayes began.