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The Buckeyes have dominated the greatest sports rivalry for the better part of the new millennium. Ohio State has won the last five games of the series and have lost three times since 2000 (including 2000). One of those years was the Luke Fickell-led Ohio State team that almost found a way to win in Ann Arbor (Mich.), the other two losses came in 2003 and 2000.

Other than that, the Buckeyes have won every game since. Sure, 1988-2000 was not exactly rosy for the Buckeyes with two wins and a tie over that stretch, just going to show that even though this is the rivalry that everyone talks about, there have been some significant runs in this series where one team has had it over the other. It is Ohio State's turn right now and they are not looking to let go of that dominance.

Jim Harbaugh was brought in to get the Wolverines over the hump. The wins have been there against lesser teams and teams that are not historical rivals with the Wolverines. But the record against Ohio State and Michigan State has not been good. He has never beaten the Buckeyes (as a head coach) and just one win against their in-state foe. In short, the Wolverines really need this one with next year's game set to take place in Columbus.

Ohio State has plenty to play for in this game with hopes of sneaking into the College Football Playoff still on the table, provided the Buckeyes win and likely win big over the next two weeks. And then maybe a little help would not hurt as well. Michigan on the other hand would love to spoil Ohio State's plans and better their bowl draw and avoid an 8-4 regular season.

It is said too often to throw the records out when these two teams play because of the rivalry. We are still going to look at what makes up each of these teams and try and put things in a little better focus as we go to the Tale of the Tape to see if we can get any more clarity on The Game.

On first glance, looking at Michigan's passing stats and you would think that this will be an easy day for the Ohio State secondary. When you start thinking like that is when a team comes out of nowhere and hits you for big play after big play. The Buckeyes cannot look at Michigan's 111th ranking in pass offense and 166 yards per game and think that is what they are going to face. Iowa was 78th in the nation with just around 215 yards per game and we all know how that one ended. Denzel Ward and the secondary have to be ready for everyone on Michigan's roster to have a career day and prepare that way and if that does not happen, then all the better. Erick Smith got the start at safety last week with a minor lower body injury to Jordan Fuller. It remains to be seen who will see the position or if there will be a platoon against the Wolverines. Damon Webb left the state of Michigan to go to Ohio State and would love nothing more than to leave with one more pair of gold pants. The safeties will have to play their best game despite the less than gaudy numbers to date as Michigan will try and use elements of the Pro Style offense that Iowa used. While Michigan might not have the same personnel, they should try and use some of the same concepts and Ohio State's secondary will need to be on notice and ready to react if Michigan starts to find some success, especially to the tight ends.

Brandon Peters? John O'Korn? Wilton Speight? Who will play quarterback? Who will be healthy? Will anyone be effective? Michigan has not really felt the need to be great about submitting depth charts so we may not know who will trot out for the first snap on Saturday until the first snap. Even with a starter, we don't know who will take the last snap. Speight has been hurt for most of the season, Peters got hit hard and left the last game and is reportedly in the concussion protocol and O'Korn has been ineffective. Quite the conundrum. Last week the Wolverines, between Peters and O'Korn were a combined 11-26 for 176 yards and no scores, O'Korn inserted in the lineup going just 2-8 for 19 yards. Who is going to catch the passes that are thrown? Michigan has eight receiving touchdowns, three have gone to wide receivers and Tarik Black was lost early in the season. So that leaves two touchdowns going to wideouts, one to Grant Perry and one to Kekoa Crawford. No current pass catcher on the team averages more than 30 yards of receiving per game. Sean McKeon, a tight end, leads the team with 27 receptions and is tied for the lead with fellow tight end, Zach Gentry, two touchdowns. It just has been tough sledding finding someone to be effective in the receiving game. Now, if you really break it down, tight ends gave Ohio State fits against Iowa with four combined touchdown passes going to the position. Michigan is having to use tight ends in receiver positions however, and that might not work. The Buckeyes will have to use the lessons learned against Iowa however if the Wolverines try to mimic some of the things that did not work on the Buckeyes' behalf. Again, the Buckeyes will have to go into this game assuming that everything has been fixed and ready to go for four full quarters against this throw game. It may be a big ask though with Michigan only scoring two passing touchdowns in two games (Cincinnati and Maryland). The high watermark in passing yardage in a game? 284 against Purdue, and since then Michigan has not passed for more than 200 yards in a game and has four games where it passed for 150 yards or less. EDGE: Ohio State