Ohio State 26, Michigan 21: A comprehensive guide to our coverage of 'The Game'
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller escapes the reach of Michigan defensive tackle Jibreel Black during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The win puts Ohio State at a perfect 12-0 on the season and still alive in the hunt for an Associated Press national title.
But that's not what Saturday was about. It was about just how close the Wolverines came to being the only blemish on the Buckeyes' record as they have been so many times in the past.
But it would not be. A 67 yard touchdown run before halftime made Denard Robinson the all-time leader in touchdowns scored for the Wolverines and put them ahead 21-17 at the time, but it would be the last points Michigan scored all day.
A field goal before the end of the half, and two more in the second was all the scoring the Buckeyes would get, but it was more than enough as Michigan shot itself in the foot time and time again in the final two quarters.
Post-Game Coverage
- Game story: Michigan offense sputters late as Ohio State stops the Wolverines in Columbus again, 26-21
- Boxscore
- Column: Michigan short on answers during, after loss to Ohio State
- By the numbers: Michigan's second-half offense falls apart; Wolverines' Columbus woes continue
- Photo Gallery: Check out the best shots from Melanie Maxwell and Daniel Brenner
- With Polls: Grade the Wolverines and weigh in on whether Ohio State should be eligible for an AP national title
- Michigan's Brady Hoke brushes off not shaking hands with Urban Meyer
- Grades: Michigan doomed by stagnating, mistake-prone offense
- Ohio fire hydrant paint job adds insult to injury for U-M fans
Denard Robinson would not be denied his record-breaking 91st career touchdown.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Should undefeated Ohio State be eligible for an Associated Press national championship?
In-Game coverage
Pre-Game Coverage
- A friendly rivalry? Maybe not, but Undercover Michigander surprised by lack of hostility before The Game
- Who's got the edge? Position-by-position breakdown of Michigan-Ohio State
- Pre-game mega guide
More Scores
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
15crown00
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
Why did M get beat?Jim Brando put it best on the post game show"Look at the big board at the end of the stadium.Ohio scored more points than we did.Ultimately that's all that counts." Pretty simple isn't it folks.It doesn't take a bunch of hyped up over analysis to figure out.JUST A LITTLE BIT OF LOGIC.
Frankyhollywood68
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 9:55 p.m.
I don't know why people keep saying "why didn't they use the play calling they did in the IOWA game" AS IF that would have made a DIFFERENCE..IOWA STINKS. I knew that 'dog and pony' show AKA Denard and Gardner, wouldn't stack up to a top ten defense. Make fun of OSU not going to a bowl all you want, while Michigan is out getting whooped by Texas in the 'Cheeto bowl' Urban and Company will be out Recruiting their butts off and bring in another #1 class (to add to the one he already has)
James Hamilton
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.
The play calling was poor and predictable. Michigan could have won that game if our coaches could have called something other than run into the line on third and short. How many times do you need to be stopped using the same play, or similar play, in the same situation before you learn it will not work? It is also possible that Michigan does not have the plays in their play book. Again, it is the coaches fault.
15crown00
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
Woulda,coulda,shoulda doesn't change the result.They scored more points in the end and THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.
Michael Ritenour
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
I just watched an excerpt of the post-game press conference and listened to Brady blame poor execution and turnovers for the loss. Those were definite problems, but the biggest, glaring, most obvious problem was the OUTRAGEOUSLY POOR COACHING in the whole second half! What kind of decision-making led to 1) not using the same spectacularly successful "Devin and Denard" show from the Iowa game the week before; 2) Denard basically not playing at all in the fourth quarter; 3) calling the same "run it up the middle" play that HAS NEVER WORKED AND NEARLY ALWAYS LOSES YARDAGE several times on critical drives, including 4) running Denard up the middle when it has always been clear that, brilliant runner that he is, he's not big enough, nor is our offensive line talented enough, to allow him to bull his way through, so IT NEVER WORKS; and 5) burning a time out to make perhaps the most egregious "what were they thinking" decision: calling a "run Denard up the middle" on fourth down and three yards in the middle of the field with time running out. Who was making these decisions??? Was it Al Borges? If so, owes everyone an apology, most particularly his team. Was it Brady? If so, he was doing so without headphones on, making me wonder what kind of info or advice he was getting and from whom, and whether anyone was telling him how terrible his staff was performing. Yes, the team went flat in the second half, but it was the coaches that put them in that demoralizing position by not giving them the plays they needed to win. Brady and Co: we love you for these past two seasons, but you should be ashamed at how you let the team down this time.
Bill
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 5:11 a.m.
Last I checked Michigan was 12-0 15 years ago and shared the title with Nebraska ahhhh... Ohio State finished 12-0 in 2002, 2006, and 2012... So your right going 12-0 is looking like another 30 years.... SIKE!!! Enjoy watching the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Presented by Bridgestone on New Years day... maybe they will let Michigan rematch Appalachian State?
Bill
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.
Ohio State messed up and let Michigan off the hook by not beating them worse! Michigan fans are poor losers and crybaby's! Michigan was out of it the second half never crossing the 40 yard line. Maybe the lop sided officials and big money boosters can match the mediocre wolverines up in another fluffy bowl game like last year. Stay thirsty Michigan fans and continue to keep hating on the 12-0 BUCKS, talking about Tressell, and drinking your Hater-Aid... AHHHHHH that's the truth... TRUTH
15crown00
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.
But M is still going where it is warm to play it's next football game while you're sitting at home watching on the TV because your Bucks and the Sweater Vest man were bad boys.SHAME ON THEM.
15crown00
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:40 p.m.
You got that right Buckeye Man.but i still wish M would have beat your butt.And you'll be sitting home in the cold and snow while M is somewhere where it's warm.So buck up Buckeye Man and swallow that.
Tim Hornton
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 4:33 a.m.
LOL at least we'll be in a bowl! OSU had to waste a 12 - O season, they probably won't have another 12-0 season again in another 30 years. Bitter sweet for osu. Just bitter for um except I'll have a great jan 1st. This is probably for the best too OSU cuz any good SECschool would kill you. Just like we learned the hard way.
Tim Hornton
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 1:54 a.m.
Michigan's garbage offense in the second half me me swear and cuss a lot even with my kids around. I can't remember being so mad in a long time. I probably won't have a good day again until we win a bowl game. The offense has some soul searching today and need to man up as well as TALENT up.
craigjjs
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
Tim, you seem much to emotionally invested in this game. I really hope you have at least one good day before we win a bowl game. Hopefully, that will not be a long wait, but you never know. Don't swear in front of the kiddies, don't kick the dog and don't burn the donuts.
wolverine14
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 3:47 a.m.
Would someone tell me WHY even the announcers were pondering Borges' play calling? Why were both Devin AND Denard not being used? Why so many runs up the middle when it went nowhere all day? Where were the plays used last week against Iowa? I have to say I am proud of the defensive stops, considering the poor play of the offense, but turnovers aside, this one goes on Borges' head...