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Ohio State looks to continue dominance of Michigan

Nov 22, 2008 - 11:22 AM Michigan (3-8) at (10) Ohio State (9-2), 12:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- In recent seasons, the fierce rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan has become one-sided in the Buckeyes' favor, and this year's meeting could be more of the same.

The 10th-ranked Buckeyes seek their first five-game winning streak in the series when they host the Wolverines on Saturday.

Ohio State won four straight against Michigan from 1934-37 and again from 1960-63. Michigan reeled off six straight wins over the Buckeyes from 1922-27.

The Buckeyes enter the contest with a chance to still win the Big Ten Conference title and the accompanying bid to the Rose Bowl. They will do so with a victory over Michigan, coupled with a Penn State loss to Michigan State.

In that event, Ohio State and Michigan State will finish at 7-1 in Big Ten play, but the Buckeyes will garner the automatic BCS bid based on their 45-7 victory over the Spartans.

Even if Penn State wins, Ohio State will gain a share of its fourth straight Big Ten crown by beating the Wolverines.

For Michigan, Saturday's game is the merciful conclusion to a nightmare season under first-year coach Rich Rodriguez, the worst in the storied history of college football's winningest program.

Already having seen their 33-year bowl run end - the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision - the Wolverines suffered a 21-14 loss to Northwestern last week.

The defeat saddled Michigan with eight losses in a season for the first time in its 129-year history.

To make matters worse, Michigan could be without starting quarterback Steven Threet, who suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter last week and left with four minutes remaining.

If Threet is unable to play, Nick Sheridan would make a second straight start for the Wolverines.

Regardless of who starts at quarterback, Michigan will try to slow down Ohio State's punishing ground attack that churned out 306 rushing yards in last week's 30-20 win over Illinois.

Chris "Beanie" Wells rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown and freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor added 110 yards and another score.

Jim Tressel won his 82nd game at Ohio State, moving into third place on the school's all-time list behind Woody Hayes (205) and Earl Bruce (111).

Tressel is 6-1 against Michigan, including a 14-3 victory last season. The three points were the fewest total for the Wolverines in the series since they were blanked, 7-0, in Columbus in 1960.

Wells rushed for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns in last season's victory over Michigan.