Wolverines won't play dead for Rose Bowl-bound Buckeyes

Nov. 17, 2009 / By Danny Sheridan

The Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2 SU) have everything going for them right now, with at least a share of the Big Ten conference title wrapped up and a trip to the Rose Bowl booked.

The Michigan Wolverines (5-6 SU), on the other hand, can only watch with envy, as they stumble toward the end of a disappointing season.

But on Saturday, none of that will matter when the two arch-rivals clash in their annual showdown at Michigan Stadium (12 pm ET, ABC).

Ohio State is a 12-point favorite in NCAA Football Betting at Bodog.

The Buckeyes know better than to discount the effort the Wolverines will bring this weekend. This game could be the difference between Michigan being bowl eligible or not. But whether they make a bowl game or not, the only thing the Wolverines care about now is beating the hated Buckeyes.

"That's the thing that makes us feel that they are going to play this game more emotionally and harder than any game they've played yet," the junior wide receiver said Ohio State wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, a junior.

"That's all they have left to play for. This game absolutely means everything to them."

"Those guys are going to be fighting for their lives," Ohio State senior defensive back Anderson Russell said. "I definitely expect them to throw everything at us. This game means everything to their season — it will make or break their season."

Even Ohio State coach Jim Tressel agrees. He's seen lots of Michigan games while preparing for other Big Ten opponents, and he fully expects a fired-up Wolverine team on Saturday.

"The interesting thing about watching Michigan film and getting ready for the Ohio State-Michigan game is you're not really watching who you're going to play," Tressel said. "Maybe the schemes are [the same], but the people play a notch above."

Sanzenbacher, who will play in Michigan Stadium for a second time in his Ohio State career and face the Wolverines for a third time, expects an intense battle.

"Everything they have riding on this game makes them a more dangerous team."

And it makes this Saturday's matchup a potential classic.