The Wolverine Now

more linebacker Ryan Shazier, or in the case against the Boilermakers, the play of junior signal-caller Kenny Gui- ton, who filled in for an injured Miller to lead the comeback win. "It may be improbable, but I don't think Ohio State has been lucky," BuckeyeGrove.com beat writer Ben Axelrod said. "Look at Notre Dame — they're winning a lot of close games to stay unbeaten — and Ohio State is the same way. They're making those key plays late in games that the opponent isn't making." Michigan has played the spoiler role before — beating an undefeated Ohio State team in the season finale of the 1996, 1995, 1993 and 1969 campaigns — and while the Wolverines won't be motivated simply to ruin the Scarlet and Gray's fun, it is a welcome outcome. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, with no bowl game, will drop out of the con- versation immediately after this one is played, unless they boast a 12-0 mark that, come Jan. 7, is the lone perfect record in college football for the 2012 season. Maybe, just maybe then, OSU will rank first in the AP top 25 — it is not eligible for the BCS rankings or coaches' poll — but first things first, it has to best its rivals from "Up North." "We can call it a bowl game if you want to, but it's The Game," fifth-year senior safety Orhian Johnson said. "You focus on just that." ❑ TheWolverine.com Radio On Demand: Talking Ohio State Click this icon to play or stop the podcast! SCOUTING OHIO STATE'S OFFENSE tailback tandem in college football, with sophomore signal-caller Braxton Miller and junior running back Carlos Hyde, the Buckeyes rank second in the Big Ten and ninth nationally in rushing with 245.5 yards per game. Miller and Hyde have combined for 2,038 of OSU's 2,700 yards on the ground (75.5 percent). Their success has been a direct result of an offensive line that Columbus insiders believe is the best Ohio State has had in more than a decade. Offensive Weakness — Ohio State's rushing prowess has come at the expense of, or has been necessary because of, its mundane aerial attack. The Scarlet and Gray sit 100th nationally in pass- ing with 180.8 yards per contest. In Big Ten play, the Buckeyes have averaged just 171.1 yards per game, including a 97-yard showing a week ago in a 21-14 win over Wisconsin. In that contest, Miller boasted a pedestrian 100.82 pass efficiency rat- ing, causing some alarm while he enters the most important game of the season off his worst effort. Player To Watch — Junior tailback Carlos Offensive Strength — Featuring arguably the top quarterback- SCOUTING OHIO STATE'S DEFENSE Wisconsin last week yielding only 88.0 yards rushing per game in its previous four contests, but surrendered 206 to the Badgers. However, UW needed 56 carries, averaging only 3.7 yards per rush. Featuring a front four with size and experi- ence, led by 6-3, 322-pound junior defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and a playmaking linebacker corps, OSU's rush defense has been consistently stout. Defensive Weakness — One area of Defensive Strength — Ohio State went into its matchup with Hyde: Traditionally, read-option spread offenses, such as Urban Meyer's, favor small, shifty, speedy running backs, but the 6-0, 232-pound Hyde has bucked that trend in his junior campaign. Though he has missed two games due to injury, Hyde has still rushed for 824 yards and 15 touch- downs on 159 carries (5.2-yard average) this season, scoring 13 times in the past six weeks alone. The Naples, Fla., native has also caught seven passes for 43 yards and a TD. Player To Watch — Sophomore wide receiver Devin Smith: A Buckeyes senior defensive end John Simon has nothced 14.5 tackles for loss in 2012, which is tied for the most in the Big Ten this season. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE in 2011, Simon has 21 sacks and 46 tackles for loss in his career. Player To Watch — Sophomore linebacker Ryan Shazier: A year ago, the 6-1, 200-pound sophomore actually led the Buckeyes in receiving with 14 receptions for 294 yards and four touchdowns. This year, with Miller making gains as a passer, Smith has almost doubled his production. He sits second among OSU wideouts with 28 grabs for 555 yards and a team-high six touchdowns. Smith's numbers have dipped significantly in conference play, but he made four catches a week ago, and seems poised for a big impact this weekend. Key Matchup — Michigan's defense has yielded at least 100 yards rushing in six consecutive games, though those foes have averaged only 3.7 yards per carry, forced to grind it out for each yard. This week, the Wolverines face a rushing attack that has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and has two big-play threats in Miller and Hyde. — Michael Spath THE WOLVERINE • PAGE 2 strength can take its toll on the other end of the field, and Ohio State's pass defense has faced 437 pass attempts this season (the sev- enth-highest total in the country). Not surpris- ingly, the Buckeyes are hemorrhaging yards through the air, ranking 84th nationally with 250.1 yards allowed per game. Quarterbacks have been effective passers, too, boasting a 116.10 rating that ranks the Scarlet and Gray defense sixth in the Big Ten. Player To Watch — Senior defensive end John Simon: A real menace at defensive end, Simon has taken over the lead in the Big Ten in sacks with nine following a four-sack game in last week's win over the Badgers. The 6-2, 263-pound Simon also shares the conference lead with 14.5 tackles for loss. A three-year starter, and a first-team all-league performer standout rookie in 2011, Shazier has become the Buckeyes' top defensive player in his second season. The 6-2, 230-pounder leads Ohio State with 110 tackles (far outpacing safety Christian Bryant's 66 stops), including four sacks. He ranks first among Big Ten defenders with 14.5 tackles for loss and has an astounding 11 passes broken up from his linebacker position. With his play this year, Shazier is a favorite to be named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Key Matchup — After struggling in the red zone against Michigan State and Nebraska — settling for four field goals in four trips — Michigan had 11 touchdowns and a field goal in 12 opportunities against Minnesota, Northwestern and Iowa the past three weeks. The Buckeyes, though, are among of the country's best at defending the end zone, allowing opponents to convert just 71.4 percent of their red-zone trips, including a mere 17 touchdowns in 35 chances. — Michael Spath

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