Ohio State/Michigan: Not Your Typical "Game" Conditions

Michigan vs. Ohio State. Wolverines vs. Buckeyes. Maize and Blue vs. Scarlet and Gray. These things remain the same in 2008's version of "The Game." But when Michigan (3-8, 2-5 Big Ten) and Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) meet in Columbus Saturday for the 105th time, much of what made the contest the greatest rivalry in college football will be missing, or at least altered in some way. Here are some interesting tidbits leading up to Saturday's game: Ohio State opened as a 19-point favorite which, according to The Detroit News , matches the largest spread in the game's history. The Buckeyes have since risen to a 20.5-point favorite in some sports books. Michigan enters the game with eight losses, the most single-season losses in its 129-year history. Not since 1929 has a first-year Michigan head coach lost to Ohio State. Michigan's Rich Rodriguez will have to pull off the upset if he wants to avoid going down in history with Harry Kipke, who lost to the Buckeyes in his first try 79 years ... (link)