Box Score | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ohio State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
Michigan | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
Michigan Shuts Down Hairless Nuts to Win the Only Important Game of the Season
Michigan came into their final game 7 and 0 in the Big Ten. A victory would make them perfect and assure them of a tie for the conference title. A win would likely move them into the top 5 in the country. A victory would guarantee them a BCS bowl bid. Of course none of the above matters at all because of 2 little words.
Ohio
State
Under coach Jello Michigan has gone 1-2 to the hated nuts prior to this game (although in fairness to him, he was unable to coach one of their losses) and everyone knows that success in Ann Arbor is measured by 1 thing. The nuts came into Ann Arbor ranked #7 knowing that a victory over Michigan would guarantee them 2nd place in the Big 10. The game was expected to be a defensive battle and it was throughout. Michigan's defense dominated on the scoreboard (where it counts) while aOSU's defense dominated on the stat sheet.
Michigan could only muster 2 offensive TDs, 111 yards of rushing and 108 yards of passing. Michigan's QBs were sacked 6 times on the day, including several sacks before they could even finish their 5 step drop. aOSU was also able to knock out starting QB Tate Forcier in the 1st quarter after he had thrown only 2 passes. Luckily, Forcier's pussyness has forced Michigan's backup QBs to get a lot of game experience over the years and Heffner was able to fill in just fine. Michigan played things conservatively and relied on their defense to win the game for them and they lived up to their end of the bargin.
While aOSU was able to churn out more yardage, they were blanked on the scoreboard in the 1st half. They managed to get a TD in the 3rd and then another with 50 seconds left in the game when it didn't matter and that was all. Michigan's D was able to force 3 turnovers, including 1 INT which was returned for a TD by SR corner J.T. Floyd. Michigan took a 17-0 lead into the half and only had 1 scary moment in the game. On their 1st drive of the 2nd half, JR HB Vincent Smith would cough the ball up for Michigan's only turnover. If aOSU could've capitalized, they would be in the game. They moved the ball down the field, helped by 2 fucking roughing the passer penalties (including 1 on a failed 3rd down which extended their drive). Michigan's D stiffened inside the 5 yard line however and forced a 4th down. aOSU, knowing that they had to make something happen attempted a fake FG, but they were denied. After that, Michigan was able to cruise to a 27-14 victory.
Michigan will now sit and watch to see what bowl they'll be playing in.
Players of the Game
Game Statistics | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Ohio State | Michigan |
First Downs | 21 | 11 |
Total Offense | 321 | 219 |
Rushes-YDS | 28-42 | 39-111 |
Passing YDS | 279 | 108 |
Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
Total Yards | 420 | 294 |
T.O.P. | 13:00 | 15:26 |