Beating an unranked and mediocre at best Ohio State team a cause for rushing the field? When you’re a marquee program like Michigan? Normally I’d say no, but this is THE GAME; and the best rivalry in sports. At the biggest venue in all of sports.
Also, this ended a 7-game Wolverines losing streak in the series- a call for celebration. This Michigan Stadium win could go down as one of the biggest wins in Big House history. With some help it might have clinched a BcS berth for U-M. Yes, believe it or not, as bad as the Big Ten has looked at times this season, the league could indeed have an at large berth.
The Buckeyes and Wolverines met for the 108th time Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. And with the 40-34 win, Michigan improved to 58-43-6 all-time vs. the Buckeyes.
This was the first time since 1929 that both teams entered with a coach in his first year at the helm. Brady Hoke, a “Michigan Man” in the truest sense of the word, brought the program it’s first ten win season since 2006, the first 8-0 home finish since 1927, and the best home record in the history of the big house.
And there’s been nothing short of a 180 degree turn on defense. It’s safe to say he’s a favorite for national college football coach of the year.
On the other side, Ohio St. freshman quarterback Braxton Miller notched career highs in total offense (335), completions (14) and passing yards (235) vs. the Wolverines, throwing 14-of-25 with two touchdowns and running for 100 yards for one touchdown. Miller’s 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was his team-high seventh rushing touchdown of the season. Needless to say this has been his best game yet.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports.
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