Ohio State Wins The Game, Defeats Michigan 37 - 7

There is nothing quite as exhilarating as winning The Game, and for the seventh season in a row, Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes have provided us that exhilaration by defeating the Michigan Wolverines.  After a scoreless first quarter that saw Michigan dominate in net yards, Ohio State would jump on the Wolverines for a 24-7 lead entering halftime. Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Robinson began the game in a passive, two deep zone, relying on his front seven's early emotions to stop Ohio State's running game and put pressure on quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The plan worked well on Ohio State's first two drives, resulting in consecutive three-and-outs that provided Michigan an early opportunity to take the lead. The Silver Bullet defense has other thoughts, however.

Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock and his assistants put together an excellent game plan to combat Rich Rodriguez and his spread-option offense. The defense bent in the first half, but they certainly didn't break, as Michigan drives  continually stalled after turning the ball over or running out of downs. Ohio State worked diligently to force the ball out of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson's hands, and they were very aggressive against Michigan's receivers for much of the day. Coach Heacock moved hybrid safety/"star" Jermale Hines all over the place, and Hines did not disappoint. Whether it was blanketing Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree in man coverage or playing run support against the lightning-quick Robinson, Hines was active and a difference maker.

In total, the Buckeyes held Michigan to 351 yards of offense and only 4.7 yards per play, their lowest in any game this season. Denard Robinson was 8/18 (45%) passing for 87 yards, with 105 yards rushing on 18 rushes. He was effectively contained, but whenever he did break a run of any length, he was soundly hit by multiple defenders. The physicality of the game took a toll on Robinson, and he ended up dislocating three fingers in his left hand near the end of the first half. Robinson played intermittently in the second half, with Tate Forcier relieving him to start the third quarter. Forcier promptly threw an interception to Buckeye defensive back Travis Howard, who did a beautiful job locating the ball and stretching out to grab the takeaway.

Michigan had 13 possessions on the day, but ultimately, it would not have mattered if they had doubled that number. Michigan's struggles were not an effect of a ball control offense on the part of Ohio State but, rather, a tremendous effort by the Silver Bullet defense. They earned that moniker today by weathering the early storm and then taking over.

The Ohio State offense partially created that early storm by struggling to open the game. Michigan limited the Buckeyes options in the passing attack while the Wolverine front seven disrupted the run game, riding the tide of emotion. Eventually, though, superior talent and execution took over, and the Buckeyes, on the back of Terrelle Pryor, moved down the field in impressive and consistent fashion.

Devin Barclay's 33 yard field goal gave the Bucks a 3-0 lead with one minute of the second quarter off the clock, and Pryor's seven yard touchdown pass to Dane Sanzenbacher on the next drive improved the margin to 10-0. Michigan' score on Michael Shaw's one yard touchdown run cut the Ohio State lead back to three, but that would only stay true for a few seconds.

Earning my vote for the turning point in the game, Jordan Hall would return the Michigan's kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, putting the score at 17-7.  Hall picked up key blocks from Zach Boren and Jaamal Berry, among others, on the return, and his quick feet and vision delivered the immediate response to Michigan's only points of the day. It was a fitting way to cap the season after Ohio State's struggles in special teams coverage this year.

It was all downhill from this point on for the Wolverines, with the Buckeyes scoring twenty more points over the next two and a half quarters. Terrelle Pryor would end the day with 219 yards and two touchdowns passing on a 18/27 (67%) line. His lone mistake came before the end of the first half, where he threw an interception in the end zone to Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs. Pryor also ran for 49 yards, and his mobility played a key role in the Buckeyes' success.

Boom Herron ran for 175 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, with most of it coming in the second half. Herron was excellent, and he could have had another touchdown were it not for a questionable holding call that negated his 98 yard gallop to an 89 yard run. With his 175 yards, Herron now has over 1,000 on the season, becoming the first Ohio State tailback to reach 1,000 yards since Chris "Beanie" Wells in 2008. Well done, Boom.

Playing in his final game at Ohio Stadium, Dane Sanzenbacher also had a big game, finishing with 3 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. DeVier Posey led the receiving group with 5 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Senior receiver Taurian Washington had a big moment today, extending an Ohio State drive with a catch along the sideline.

Ohio State's offense finished with 478 yards on 72 plays (6.64 yards per play), with much of the success being attributable to the offensive line and, in particular, Justin Boren, who will finish his collegiate career with a 2-0 record against Michigan.

Great game, Bucks!