LIVE: Michigan at Ohio State

By Nate Sandals, written on Nov. 22, 2008

Pregame: We’re here in Columbus for the matchup formerly known as “The Game.” This year for Michigan it should just be called “The End.” The Wolverines have already secured the worst season in program history (129 years) and won’t be going to a bowl game for the first time since 1974. Ohio State is playing for a share of the Big Ten title and perhaps a trip to the Rose Bowl (with a win and a Penn State loss).

This is Rich Rodriguez’s first game against Ohio State. Just one Michigan coach in history lost his first matchup with the Buckeyes — Harry Kipke in 1929. Odds are Rodriguez will be the second on this list, but anything can happen in a rivalry, that’s why they play the game, any given Saturday, etc…

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez walking into Ohio Stadium this morning
RODRIGO GAYA/ Daily

Michigan is already a heavy underdog in the game, and injuries this week won’t do anything to help. Quarterback Steven Threet is out with a shoulder injury and did not make the trip to Columbus. Nick Sheridan will get the start and Justin Feagin is expected to take some snaps. Starting right tackle Steve Schilling is on the dress list but unlikely to play after getting injured in practice this week.

Perry Dorrestein will start in Schilling’s place. True freshman offensive tackle Patrick Omameh is on the dress list, while a number of seniors are not. Don’t expect to see Omameh play even if Dorrestein gets injured, they won’t burn his redshirt in the last game. But just the fact that he’s on the trip shows how excited the coaching staff is about Omameh.

Sam McGuffie is back from a funeral in Texas and is on the field for warmups. He won’t start the game but is expected to play. Brandon Minor will play this week despite some lingering injuries that kept him out against Northwestern last week. Rodriguez wouldn’t say yesterday if Minor would start, but he should get a lot of carries.

Brandon Minor (right) enters Ohio Stadium this morning.
RODRIGO GAYA / Daily

This is the last shot for Michigan’s seniors to beat the Buckeyes. But they can’t be too hopeful, our breakdown shows that Ohio State has the edge in all three phases. Our bold (and some not so bold) predictions are here.

It’s a chilly day here in Columbus, but the forecast doesn’t call for any snow and the wind has calmed a lot since yesterday. You can track the weather here.

We’ll have live updates from the game once it gets started. Enjoy.

More pregame: The team’s just got in a bit of a tussle near midfield before they left for the locker rooms. This has become a tradition in the past few years, though I’d love to know exactly what the Michigan players had to say this time around. It’s hard to talk trash when you’re 3-8.

Four minutes into the first quarter: For the second straight week Stevie Brown has a pick on the opponent’s first drive. Michigan starts its first drive at the Ohio State 13-yard line.

But it didn’t take the Wolverines offense long to return to form. Michigan lost seven yards on three plays and K.C. Lopata pulled a 35-yard field goal attempt wide left. Still no score.

Six minutes into the first quarter: Don’t look now, but Michigan’s defense is looking very solid in a classic 4-3. Terrelle Pryor looks uncomfortable under pressure and along with the interception has throw a lot of errant passes. Michigan would have had great field position on the drive after the field goal but Odoms muffed the punt — AGAIN.

The defense stepped up and stopped Ohio State again, including a sack by Brandon Graham on third down. It was the first sack of a Buckeye quarterback by any current Wolverine. Greg Matthews was back to receive the next punt, and managed to make the catch.

Four minutes left in the first quarter: Right after Michigan’s defense stops Ohio State on three state drives, giving up absolutely nothing on the ground, they go ahead and give up a long run. Beanie Wells started and ended Ohio State’s with a 59-yard touchdown rush. He was hardly touched before the end zone. Ohio State leads 7-0.

Ohio State RB Beanie Wells runs for a touchdown during the first quarter.
RODRIGO GAYA / Daily

End of first quarter: Michigan had three offensive drives in the first quarter. The Wolverines netted a whopping negative one yard of total offense. If Michigan scores any points in this game it will be on special teams or defense, or if Ohio State chooses not to play its defense at some point.

The defense played well in the first quarter, except for that touchdown run, but will need to keep Ohio State off the board for the rest of the game for Michigan to have any chance.

Two minutes into the second quarter: And the stalwart Michigan defense gives up another big play — this time through the air. Pryor found Brian Hartline for a 53-yard touchdown on second-and-11. Stevie Brown was “covering” Hartline at the time. Ohio State leads 14-0.

Three minutes remain in first half Just when you think Nick Sheridan doesn’t know which way is forward, Martavious Odoms can’t catch a football and the offensive line can’t block, Michigan puts a drive together.

With some strong running by Brandon Minor and key completions for Sheridan, Michigan drove the ball all the way to the Ohio State one-yard line. The Buckeye defense stepped up at that point, driving Michigan back to the seven-yard line for third-and-goal, but Minor got the one-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. Ohio State leads 14-7.

Minor had the key play of the drive, a 33-yard run down to the Ohio State one-yard line. The fourth-down touchdown was the second fourth-down conversion for Michigan on the drive. The Wolverines’ drive lasted almost six minutes, about the total time of possession Michigan had on all its previous drives combined.

Halftime: It’s still a 14-7 Ohio State lead here at the ‘Shoe. The glass half-full Michigan fan is saying, “Hey, this is better than last year’s final score and that team started five current NFL players on offense.” The glass half-empty Michigan fan is saying, “Wow, how are we only down by seven. This offense looks horrible and the defense keeps giving up big plays.”

The reality is Michigan’s defense, except for the two big plays, is playing exceptionally well. Of course, big plays are usually the difference in a game. Ohio State has them Michigan doesn’t. Aside from the touchdown drive, which needed two fourth-down conversions to be completed, the word “anemic” would be a polite way to describe the Michigan offense.

Can Michigan win this game? Probably not. But if it intends to, the defense has to shut down the big play and the offense needs to find a rhythm. Sounds simple, but those have been the keys all season and you know how that has turned out. Michigan gets the ball to start the second half. A three-and-out would foreshadow a blowout in the second half. If the Wolverines can put a drive together, this game might be interesting.

Michigan’s scoring drive evened out the stats a little bit. The Buckeyes have the advantage in total yardage (167-94), but are well under 100 yards without those two touchdown plays. The Wolverines long drive brought them closer in time of possession, but they still held it less than Ohio State (13:47). Michigan is just 1-of-9 on third-down conversions. Ohio State is three-of-eight.

Four minutes into third quarter: Well Michigan got the start it needed, gaining three first downs on its first possession, gaining field position when Mesko’s punt was downed at the nine-yard line.

Then the big plays came back. On the Buckeyes first play from scrimmage Wells ran left for 42 yards. On the very next play Dan Herron finished the job, rushing the remaining 49 yards for a touchdown. That was all it took: 91 yards, two plays, 39 seconds. Ohio State leads 21-7.

3:54 remain in the third quarter: Another big play for the Buckeyes, this time on special teams. Mesko’s punt should have pinned Ohio State inside the 20-yard line, but Ray Small returned it 80 yards down to Michigan’s eight-yard line. Pryor found Brian Robiskie for a touchdown on the very next play. Ohio State leads 28-7.

Injury update: Justin Feagin was at quarterback for Michigan’s last drive (don’t worry, they couldn’t gain yards with him either.) We’ve just received word that Sheridan has a sprained ankle. We don’t know if he’ll return.

Seconds into the fourth quarter: We’re officially in blowout mode here in Columbus. Ohio State just tacked on another touchdown. And on the ensuing kickoff Boubacar Cissoko fumbled it right back to the Buckeyes. Tressel has pulled Pryor in favor of senior Todd Boeckman and Maurice Wells as in at tailback for Beanie Wells. Ohio State leads 35-7.

May I be the first to wish you Michigan fans a happy offseason.

13:16 left in Michigan’s season: Just a quick scoring update for those who were wondering, Boeckman threw for an 18-yard touchdown. Ohio State leads 42-7.

Injury update: Sheridan is back in at quarterback. Michigan’s offense still can’t move the ball.

Six minutes left: The score remains the same and we’re heading down to the field. I will update with the final score when we return to the press box, but rest assured the result is certain.

Final: By now you know, and it will be in record books for the rest of time, 2008 Michigan Football: 3-9. The final score held at 42-7.

It was an ugly end to an ugly season. For the full post mortem, check out SportsMonday in print or on michigandaily.com.