Michigan vs. Ohio State: MLive’s 2-Minute Drill previewing ‘The Game’

All the Buckeyes can do is win and then hope Michigan State pulls off the upset. There was just one huge problem: the play should have never happened and now it is having a huge impact on the College Football Playoff picture.

The Buckeyes won the first meeting of Harbaugh and Meyer 42-13 in the Big House last season.

So the race was on for first place in the B flight among Penn State, Maryland, Indiana, and Rutgers.

Penn State moved up a spot to No. 7 in the CFP rankings.

No. 3 MI (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) at No. 2 Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) (11 a.m. Saturday, WFAA/8): MI coach Jim Harbaugh and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer have resurrected their programs, laying the foundation for “The Game” to take on even more meaning in the future.

Playoff committee chairman Kirby Hocutt indicated that Ohio State is considered a clear cut above PSU, even though the Lions beat the Buckeyes head to head. Going into the 113th edition OSU vs. MI this Saturday, the Wolverines lead the all-time series with 58 wins compared to Ohio State’s 48 wins. “We do not”, Hocutt said on a conference call. There’s also the Big 12 rivalry game in Bedlam, as well as should the Big Ten have two teams in the field? Does Oklahoma or Oklahoma State have a right to be in the tournament, though? That will change next week with the Buckeyes and Wolverines set to face off in Columbus.

If Michigan wins today, it clinches the Big Ten East championship and a berth in next week’s conference title game. Clemson getting upset at the ACC title game or even against SC.

“I think collectively as a football team, our last two weeks may have been our best two weeks, ” Dantonio said. “So that’s my memory, and that’s how we go about our business here”.

Harley’s popularity took Ohio State from an average program to one of national prominence. Alabama as SEC champions, Clemson as ACC champions, Washington as Pac-12 champions and either Ohio State or MI winning the Big Ten make it an easy Final Four. Clemson will win out, be the ACC champion with good wins on the resume, and Alabama is the lone undefeated power conference member.

Nathan Baird, Lafayette Journal & Courier: Penn State.

The Huskies are 10-1. The animosity is such that some Ohio State fans – as well as coaches and players – hesitate to utter their rival’s name, calling it “that school up north”.

“They did fall out of our rankings, but that was still a strong win for Wisconsin”. Washington will have its hands full with the rival Cougars, with the victor advancing to the Pac-12 championship.

‘Our job is to win football games, ‘ USC coach Clay Helton said.

Did that Central Michigan loss become a win yet? I think Washington is the most likely non Big Ten team to lose, and I think they will. Woodson, an Ohioan, played in all three facets of the game that year and capped the regular season with a punt return for a touchdown in a 20-14 win for No. 1 MI against the fourth-ranked Buckeyes.

James said some of the players tested them this week at practice before deciding whether to play in them.

Way too many turnovers early and to come out for the game so flat the Mountaineers stood zero chance and the Sooners capitalized on every error.

“Were going to see how they respond with physicality, ” Peppers said. “They’ll be aware of it”. “We will make sure we’re disciplined and talk about the entire landscape, not just MI and Ohio State”.

“However that game plays out, it is going to have an impact on our future”, Franklin said.

“I know we lost, but personally I played to a higher level. That’s the important thing”.

Because of the tie-breaker system, Ohio State may not advance to the Big Ten Championship game if they beat MI.

Boise State was best at No. 19, followed by Houston and Western Michigan.

“Slippery”, Harbaugh said. “Tough runner, like a running back, but he’s got the vision of a quarterback, he’s got the throwing ability of a quarterback”. “But it’s 2016, media, you can see the scoreboards and everything”. But you go into it like you’re going to cover anybody else.

Don’t look now, but we have four Group of Five teams with a shot at making it to the Cotton Bowl.