Michigan football players quickly turn focus to Ohio State
Ohio State running back Dan Herron, right, celebrates with defensive lineman Cameron Heyward after scoring on a 1-yard run. Ohio State beat Iowa, 20-17.
Associated Press
The Wolverines vowed the disappointment would not linger.
Moments after they walked off the field at Michigan Stadium for the last time this season, they said they’ll quickly put Saturday’s 48-28 loss against Wisconsin in the rear-view mirror.
The Michigan football team has an important date Saturday.
“To not get up for that game is to not have a pulse,” defensive tackle Adam Patterson said when asked how quickly the Wolverines could recover. “We’ll come in ready and practice hard and show Ohio State what we can really do.”
Michigan won’t contend for the Big Ten title, but Saturday’s noon kickoff in Columbus gives the Wolverines a chance to spoil the Buckeyes’ season.
No. 8 Ohio State (10-1 overall, 6-1 Big Ten) escaped Saturday with a 20-17 win over No. 22 Iowa in Kinnick Stadium, and is playing for at least a share of the Big Ten title with Michigan State and Wisconsin. “Ohio State’s our biggest game this year, and it is every year,” said Mark Huyge, who started at left tackle for Michigan in place of the injured Taylor Lewan.
“We’re not going to dwell on this too much. We’re going to watch film, make corrections and put it behind us, and that’s all there is to that,” Huyge said.
Spoiler is a role that Michigan (7-4, 3-4) has attempted to play quite a bit in recent years, but the Wolverines haven’t fared so well.
The Buckeyes have won at least a share of the Big Ten title every season since 2005, and they’ve beaten Michigan in six consecutive meetings.
Michigan’s last win in the rivalry came with a 35-21 victory in 2003 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines haven’t won in Columbus since a 38-26 win in 2000.
They’ll need to play at a higher level to change that streak.
“I think we came out a little nervous, maybe a little too excited,” Patterson said of Saturday’s outing against Wisconsin. “We really need to calm down. We’re Michigan, and we need to go out there and play four great quarters.”
Michigan’s last trip to Columbus resulted in a 42-7 beating in 2008, a grim finale on Rich Rodriguez’s 3-8 debut season with the Wolverines.
This year, the rivalry game won’t be the end - Michigan has qualified for a bowl for the first time in three years.
“It’s a challenge anyway,” Rodriguez said. “You’re playing a great team at their place. But it’s Ohio State-Michigan. It’s not going to be hard to get the guys fired up and prepared for it, but we may have a few more young guys that are going to need to grow up in a hurry and get ready to go down there.”
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via e-mail at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
Wolverwing
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:09 p.m.
RR needs to stay for another year and DB needs to make RR change his stupid defence period. If RR doesnt want to change that defence then and ONLY then will i want DB to make a coaching change. A true fan actually watches the game before commenting about Michigans "slow" starts vs better Big Ten teams. Dropped passes, penalties at the ABOSOLUTE WORST TIMES, along with bad passes by Denard have contributed to the starts. Stop blaming everything on RR, given time Denard will BLOW these teams out and yes i am talking about next year. The receivers will be better everything will be better. Quit whining, suck it up and support the team
Solar Blue
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:37 p.m.
redcedar1 - thanks for the encouragement, U of M will (hopefully) play this game as it is intended to be - the Wolverines #1 rival. As for playing to help MSU to the Rose Bowl, be careful what you wish for. From what I saw yesterday, Purdue folded to hand MSU that game. MSU is clearly the 4th "best" team in the Big 10 - Wiscy, Suckeyes, Hawkeyes, then sparty. The fact that you don't play OSU will hurt you in the BCS standings...sorry. But if MSU were to go the Rose Bowl, Stanford would gladly thrash the Sparties. I would like to see that actually!
Wolverwing
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:22 p.m.
RR needs to stay for another year and DB needs to make RR change his stupid defence period. If RR doesnt want to change that defence then and ONLY then will i want DB to make a coaching change. A true fan actually watches the game before commenting about Michigans "slow" starts vs better Big Ten teams. Dropped passes, penalties at the ABOSOLUTE WORST TIMES, along with bad passes by Denard have contributed to the starts. Stop blaming everything on RR, given time Denard will BLOW these teams out and yes i am talking about next year. The receivers will be better everything will be better. Quit whining, suck it up and support the team
3 And Out
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:16 p.m.
This game could get ugly next week. Historically Tressel normally plays his cards close to his Vest when on the road....but at home he turns the dogs loose vs. Michigan and lets Pryor do his thing... I expect them to put up a lot of points on us...over 40...and we'd have to do the same to even have a shot in this one.
Reed
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.
I'm with TruBlue76. All of you whiners who keep calling for Rodriguez's head are failing to see that he is working with an entire case of underclassmen. Michigan will continue getting better throughout this year, and in 2012 will compete for a Big Ten and possibly a National Title. This program will be resurrected under Rodriguez, and all of you whiners are going to eat your words. Go Blue, let's give it to the Buckeyes this weekend!
tzgoblue
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
Tru2Blu76 I have been a true die hard UM fan for over 40 yrs. I travel 300 miles to A2 for every home game now that I live out of state. I travel to at least 2 away games each year as well. I understand the game very well and I understand Michigan football and tradition better than most. If Brandon allows this train wreck to continue, then we hired the wrong guy to lead this athletic department. I have confidence he is a smart guy and will do the right thing for Michigan.
WWBD?
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 1:26 p.m.
Anything can happen as Ohio State has everything to lose and if Denard can play his best ever... Perhaps Patterson believes what he says and that's what they'll need to even have a breath of a chance against the buckeyes next sat. I'll take this win as the defining moment, but please no field goal attempts when Denard is moving the ball, and thanks trublu76 for the general explanation of the common sense approach of the Michigan football program.
lefty48197
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
This is kind of like Vince Lombardi's Packers going up against a poorly coached High School team with no talented players. It's like Joe Frazier boxing a little girl. It's like a mountain lion chasing down a fawn. This is going to be ugly. Very ugly. Thanks for your "point a minute defense" Rich. Thanks a lot.
Richard
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:36 a.m.
I couldn't watch the game because I am heavily involved in volunteer work in my city but as soon as I could get a radio, I tuned in and I shut it off when I heard the score. I am sick and tired of reading your stories with the players, we were nervous, we will watch film, make corrections, and win, bullcr-p. How much film are they going to watch? I ask again, what are the people who sit up in the booths calling plays to the field doing, are they stupid? are they lacking something, are they listening to hockey? I hope the coach if he survives, fires the entire defense squad. There is no way they will beat Ohio State, sorry, this is not Michigan. They can't beat a flea not in Ohio State territory. I love my Michigan, but a person can stand so much, i was hoping they would be on New Year's Day, one of the many bowl games but not now, who wants to see them in Arizona. I am happy they are going to a bowl, but come on boys? you can do better. Remember, next year Nebraska comes in, two divisions, 3-9,-5-7 7-6, i hope not.
rightmind250
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:14 a.m.
What else are they going to focus on? Getting the crapped knocked out of them by a bunch of 2 and 3 star, corn fed, white boys from Wisconsin?
trigg7
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:37 a.m.
Can you say bend over!
Dave66
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 12:22 a.m.
Turning the focus to Ohio State? Why?!!? Maybe to start rehearsing their excuses, that's all I can think of. Funniest quote of the article, Patterson said "Were Michigan..." No, you are not. Michigan *used* to be great. I'm sure Michigan will be great again, someday. But right now? Not so much. You're *not* Michigan. You're an aberration.
ShadowManager
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 12:04 a.m.
All of Michigan State dearly hopes the unbelievable happens and UM wins next Saturday.
Sean T.
Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 12:02 a.m.
Wow, already being apologetic before the game with OSU, now who's the fortune-teller?
Jaxon5
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 11:18 p.m.
Not great, TruBlue, not any more. Used to be great, but not any more.
3 And Out
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 9:22 p.m.
mikebush Lloyd lost 4 straight to OSU, a couple of them very close and competitive ballgames.... RR has gotten blown out 2x soon to be a third...keep trying though koolaid man.
3 And Out
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 9:20 p.m.
RR doesnt get "The Game".... he is just a sad, hired hand collecting a pay check.
W. Curtis
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 9:06 p.m.
How does a Millionare Coach get to make excuses?? Seems like we paid for his expertise to evaluate and execute a successful program. I have yet to see it, regardless of the cost.
ViSHa
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 8:58 p.m.
"but we may have a few more young guys that are going to need to grow up in a hurry and get ready to go down there. ah....never disappoints. always gotta get that "young guys" quote in there.
GettingBluer
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 8:46 p.m.
Maybe they should try something different this year. If Brandon doesn't fire Bozo before the game, he should at least send him off to see a movie rather than having him violate our senses with his presence...outcome will be the same either way and I know I'd enjoy not having to listen to his excuses or throw someone else under the bus after the game.
LordCarr
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 8:43 p.m.
Carr was 6-1 vs. OSU prior to thee sweater vest, with a National Championship. So It's "Lord Carr" to you bub!!
clarklaker
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 8:36 p.m.
all i want for christmas is a new head coach
Mike
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 8:32 p.m.
hey loyd carr havent you forgot that mr carr led us on a 6 year losing streak to osu. just saying.
LordCarr
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 8:27 p.m.
Do we really need to play this game :( Uggggh! "Getting up for OSU" "Practice Hard" Blah Blah Blah.... This Game used to be My Christmas, New Years, and Birthday all in one.(Couldn't Wait!!!) The Past 3 years there has not been a single thought that this game would even be close.
Engineer
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 8:22 p.m.
Focus would be nice. Perhaps we could actually execute and play with a little passion and not quit half way through the game. Plus we owe Pryor big time!