By: John Cupps (BuckeyeCountry.net) -- The Ohio State Buckeyes just may write the final chapter in the Rich Rod story at Michigan. According to an article published on the Detroit Free Press website (Freep.com), Michigan coach Rich Rodiguez may already have his fate with the Wolverine football program sealed. Beating Ohio State on Saturday, something the Wolverines have not done in five years, and becoming bowl eligible might help the coach retain his job. But according to ESPN's Michael Wilbon, that ... Read More

By: AP via ClickOnDetroit.com -- COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In these parts, people don't change sides easily. You're either born a Michigan fan or your bassinet has scarlet and gray trim. That's why, in the days leading up to No. 9 Ohio State at Michigan on Saturday, there is so much talk about the curious case of Justin Boren.Boren is from Ohio and starts at left guard for the Buckeyes. But he used to play for the Wolverines.Ohio State coach Jim Tressel did not ... Read More

By: Seth Davis (SI.com) -- There were certain parts of Chicago where it was not safe to be a squirrel last summer. That's because Evan Turner, Ohio State's 6-foot-7 junior forward, could often be found dribbling a basketball around his neighborhood and stopping at certain points to fire the ball at a variety of targets -- walls, street signs and yes, the occasional unsuspecting mammal. "I'd do the same thing while walking around on campus in Columbus," Turner says. "It's so beautiful ... Read More

BY: MARK SNYDER (Detroit Free Press) -- There is never an ideal way to enter Ohio State week, but this has to be one of the worst. Michigan's football program is at a modern low point, as losses mount, the coach is under scrutiny and dissension bubbles. The fact that there is a positive motivational tool left -- a win sends the Wolverines to a bowl -- is a thrilling bonus. Yet that might be the lone bright light in the current mess. Already the Big ... Read More

By: AP via ESPN.com -- ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- College football's winningest program just took another hit off the field. The University of Michigan released embarrassing details of an internal audit Monday that discovered Rich Rodriguez's team failed to file forms tracking how much time players spent on football during the 2008 season -- his first -- and the offseason last spring. Perhaps coincidentally, the NCAA and the school are investigating the program about similar issues. The NCAA sent the school's president a notice of ... Read More

By: Tom Hammer (BleacherReport.com) -- As a football enthusiast and Ohio State Buckeye critic I believe it is my right and responsibility to call out what I see as "BAD" offensive football coaching without coming off as a spoiled fan with a bias towards exciting football. And up front I want to say this isn't about Jim Tressel and whether or not he is the right guy for this football program. Jim Tressel is a hell of a football coach, end of story. And anybody ... Read More

By: MARK SNYDER (Detroit Free Press) -- The most-asked question among the Michigan fan base the past month: What will it take for the Wolverines to turn around the terrible losses of the past two years? “Having a better team,” coach Rich Rodriguez said today. “We’ll win more of these games and other games when we have a better team than the team we’re playing.” Later, he was asked for more specifics about a timetable, Rodriguez cited having just one full recruiting class during ... Read More

From: CBS42.com -- The Buckeyes clinched a spot in the Rose Bowl with their thrilling 27-24 overtime home win over Iowa, but their postseason opponent is still a mystery. Oregon holds the slight edge with a 6-1 Pac-10 record - 6-1 ATS as well. The Ducks' lone loss came in a letdown spot vs. Stanford just one week after dismantling USC. However, a Rose Bowl berth is not a guarantee since both remaining league games are difficult contests - on the road at Arizona and ... Read More

By: Chip Minnich (BleacherReport.com) -- There are going to be so many interesting storylines leading up to the Ohio State/Michigan game this week. Ohio State has clinched a berth in The Rose Bowl, but has an opportunity to become outright Big Ten conference champions with a defeat of Michigan. Or maybe people will want to talk about how Jim Tressel has defeated Michigan seven times in eight attempts, and will be trying to make it eight out of nine. Another storyline to keep an ... Read More

By: Bill Blanton (BuckeyeCountry.net) -- “Tressel Ball” is alive and well in Columbus. If Ohio State fans had any doubts, those were put to rest on Saturday afternoon in a 27-24 overtime victory over Iowa. The victory clinches a share of the Big Ten Championship for Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) and will send the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 13 years. "None of our kids have gone to the Rose Bowl. I haven't been there in 25 years. I was ... Read More