(AP): The warmups are complete for the Nov. 18^th matchup (3:30PM), and No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 University of Michigan both look ready.
 

OSU’s James Laurinaitis set the tone in Evanston, Illinois, when he forced a fumble on the opening possession, Heisman candidate Troy Smith threw four touchdown passes, and the top-ranked Buckeyes tuned up for their showdown against No. 2 Michigan with a 54-10 victory over Northwestern last Saturday, Nov. 11.

Now, finally, the Buckeyes can turn their attention to the Wolverines and a game that’ll determine who plays for the Bowl Championship Series title in January.

The 54 points were the most for Ohio State since a 72-0 victory over Pittsburgh on Sept. 21, 1996, and the defense played a major role in that.

The Buckeyes (11-0, 7-0 Big Ten) turned four turnovers and a blocked punt into touchdowns en route to a 33-10 halftime lead and their 18th consecutive victory—the nation’s longest winning streak.

Smith matched a season-high with his TD passes and threw for 185 yards while completing 12-of-19 with one interception. Antonio Pittman ran for 80 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, and freshman Chris Wells ran for a season-high 99 and a touchdown. Brian Hartline caught two touchdown passes. Anthony González also scored a touchdown.

Michigan 34, Indiana 3

BLOOMINGTON, IN (AP): Michigan made it look easy and now comes the hard part, coming this Saturday, Nov. 18 in Columbus—it will be the 103rd meeting between football giants OSU and U of M.

Michigan (11-0, 7-0) goes to Columbus with 15 wins in its last 16 regular-season games. The only blip is a not-so-easily forgotten 25-21 loss to the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor last year.

In Bloomington last Saturday, Steve Breaston scored on an 83-yard punt return and a 62-yard reception and Mike Hart added a touchdown run to lead the Wolverines. Indiana (5-6, 3-4) has now dropped 15 straight to Michigan since 1987. The offense easily picked apart Indiana’s defense. Chad Henne was 11-of-15 for 159 yards and two touchdown passes to support Michigan’s typically stout defense. The Wolverines allowed only 131 total yards.

VS

November 18, 2006
3:30 pm
 

    Simon Rodríguez, Carmen Barbosa, and Phil Barbosa of the Spanish American Organization are ready for the Nov. 18th football game between the OSU Buckeyes and the UM Wolverines, the 103rd meeting.