Death adds sober note to showdown

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The game of the year in college football has yet another storyline – a sad one.

The first No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup between Ohio State and Michigan comes a day after the Wolverines lost their most celebrated leader, Bo Schembechler. The longtime coach, who played a starring role for two decades in the century-old grudge match, died Friday at age 77.

An Ohioan who became a Michigan icon, Schembechler cut across this rivalry and helped make it the biggest – and at times bitterest – feud in football. Now even his death will be forever linked with The Game.

“He will always be both a Buckeye and a Wolverine, and our thoughts are with all who grieve his loss,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.

Now, the second-ranked Wolverines enter today’s showdown, with the Big Ten title, a spot in the national championship game and perhaps the Heisman Trophy at stake, with heavy hearts.

The Wolverines (11-0, 7-0) went through a quiet 25-minute walkthrough Friday, putting the finishing touches on their preparation for the top-ranked Buckeyes (11-0, 7-0).

Schembechler’s Wolverines were 11-9-1 against Ohio State, 5-4-1 while Woody Hayes, Schembechler’s mentor at Miami of Ohio turned Big Ten rival, patrolled the Buckeyes sideline from 1969-78.

Carr, who won the national title in 1997 that always eluded Schembechler, hasn’t fared so well against Ohio State lately. Carr’s Wolverines have lost four of five to the Buckeyes since Tressel took over in Columbus.

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith directs one of the country’s most explosive offenses, and he’s been at his best against Michigan the last two seasons.

He passed for 241 yards, ran for a career-high 145 and accounted for three TDs in Ohio State’s 37-21 upset of Michigan in Columbus two years ago. Last season, Smith threw for 300 yards, ran for a touchdown and led two long, late scoring drives to beat Michigan 25-21.

If Smith has another magical day against Michigan, the senior can all but wrap up the Heisman Trophy race. Smith has thrown 26 touchdown passes and only four interceptions while completing 66 percent of his throws.

He’s not their only guy. Speedster Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez make up one of the country’s best receiving duos. Antonio Pittman has run for 1,032 yards and 12 TDs.

Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley is the catalyst for a tenacious defense that has 41 sacks and is allowing 29.9 yards per game on the ground.