Yes, the fans may not give a darn for the whole state of Michigan, but they care a whole lot about the Michigan game.

One of the first things Jim Tressel did as coach of the Buckeyes was promise to restore the luster of the rivalry. To this day, he refuses to wear dark blue, because it's one of "their" colors.

And it's been an especially colorful season in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are to college football what the Keystone Kops are to law enforcement.

It started with the news that the NCAA would investigate the team for possibly exceeding limits on mandatory practice time. That extra practice seemed to pay off for the first four games of the season, but then the Wolverines unraveled.

The team's best player has been their punter Zoltan Mesko. That's never a good sign. There are T-shirts in Michigan that promote Mesko's candidacy for the Heisman Trophy as well as for Emperor of Space.

But even that otherworldly effort hasn't been enough to help. At 1-6, Michigan's conference record is tied for worst in the Big Ten. They are one loss away from their second straight losing season.

Coach Rich Rodriguez tried to console Wolverines supporters. At least his players were doing well in the classroom. In fact, they had the highest team grade point average in school history ... at least, that was his story, until it was revealed that the school doesn't keep that statistic.

Athletic Director Bill Martin voiced his support for Rodriguez. But Martin had his own issues. On two occasions, he was reported for pushing his way past security at Michigan Stadium. Wolverines fans wish Martin played linebacker.

Rodriguez also received the vote of confidence from former Detroit Lions president Matt Millen, which is a little like Amy Winehouse telling you you're classy.

At least two Wolverines players have said none of that will matter if they can beat the Buckeyes.

"What's a better way than to go out and to beat O-State to get in a bowl game?" asked defensive lineman Brandon Graham, neglecting to mention the fact that the best they could probably hope for is the Pizza Pizza Bowl.

Added safety Troy Woolfolk, "As bad as the season's going, I think it will be redeemed after we beat Ohio State."

But the Buckeyes are equally motivated. They don't want to be the first OSU squad to lose to Michigan since 2003. And they especially don't want to lose to The Team Up North this year, when nothing seems to be looking up for the Wolverines.

OSU Fast Fact

0

Number of times Ohio State has beaten Michigan six consecutive years

Huddle Up

Since 1935, Ohio State and Michigan have closed out the regular season not with a game, but with The Game.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines have closed out games lately not with a stumble, but with epic collapses. In their last four losses, Michigan has been outscored 99-19 in the second half, mostly thanks to a suspect defense.

As for the Wolverines offense, they use two quarterbacks in their spread system. Tate Forcier plays the majority of the time, but he admitted last week that he quarreled with head coach Rich Rodriguez prior to the team's defeat in Wisconsin.