Buckeyes primed for BCS bowl after rout of rival Wolverines

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In the 107 editions of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, things have never been this bad for the Wolverines.

No wonder coach Rich Rodriguez is mad.

“I’m ticked,” he said, moments after his Wolverines got blown out 37-7 on Saturday – an unprecedented seventh straight loss to the Buckeyes.

“What do you want me to do? Hold hands with all the Buckeye fans and sing ‘Kumbaya’?”

Might as well. Nothing else seems to work for the Wolverines these days against their archrivals. They fell to 0-3 against Ohio State under Rodriguez, and have been outscored 100-24 in that span.

Jordan Hall broke things open with an 85-yard kickoff return and the Buckeyes defense shut down the Wolverines’ vaunted offense. Ohio State (11-1, 7-1) picked up two celebration penalties after touchdowns but had a lot to celebrate: A share of a record-tying sixth straight Big Ten title and, most likely, a Bowl Championship Series bowl berth.

Meanwhile, Michigan (7-5, 3-5) will prepare for a second-tier bowl game and hope for better days.

“I worry about my future everyday,” said Rodriguez, asked about rumors that his job was in jeopardy. “It’s been a lot slower (coming) than I wanted, a lot slower than our fans wanted. I don’t blame them for that. But I’m not deterred by it.”

Terrelle Pryor completed 18 of 27 passes for 220 yards with one interception for the Buckeyes.

Now the Buckeyes wait to see what bowl game they’ll go to. Most signs point to the Sugar Bowl against an SEC opponent.