THE RUNNING START
TV: Saturday, Noon ABC

Ohio State is trailing 46-58-6 in the series and is 25-27-2 when the game is in Columbus. The Buckeyes defeated Our Rival 42-41 last year in Ann Arbor. Ohio State has won nine out of the last ten games against That Team.

That Team is 5-6 and is one loss away from not playing in a bowl game. The Wolverines have not won in Columbus since 2000. Since 2002 the Buckeyes have won home games against That Team by an average score of 40-21.

Below you will find some interesting facts about the teams, key offensive player stats, coach information, team stats and team schedules.

 

The Last Time...

Ohio State played Our Rival in the Horseshoe the Buckeyes won 26-21.
The Buckeyes lost The Game at home the year was 2000 (26-38).
An Urban Meyer coached team lost in November was 2010.
Our Rivals had a losing season was 2009.
That Team played Michigan State and Ohio State on the road in the same season was 1966.

 

8 Things On the Horizon...

1. Ohio State can become the first B1G team to go undefeated and untied in regular season games for three consecutive seasons.
2. J.T. Barrett is tied with Marcus Mariota for the FBS lead with 42 total touchdowns.
3. The Buckeyes have thrown a touchdown pass in 19 consecutive games. The school record is 24 games (1994-1996).
4. Devin Smith comes into the game with 26 touchdowns. Smith is one touchdown away from tying Cris Carter (27 TDs) for 2nd all-time.
5. Joey Bosa has 11.5 sacks this season. Bosa is 3 sacks away from breaking Vernon Gholston's single season record of 14 sacks.
6. Barrett is 151 yards away from having 1,000 yards rushing.
7. Ohio State has won 23 consecutive regular season Big Ten games. With every B1G win the Buckeyes are setting a new record.
8. The Buckeyes will play the winner of the Minnesota/Wisconsin game.

 

That Team's Tidbits...

• Our Rivals are 1-3 on the road this season. Their only road win was a 10-9 victory over Northwestern on 11-8.
• The Wolverines have been outscored 75-171 in their six losses (13-29).
• That Team's longest losing streak to Ohio State is seven (2004-2010).
• Our Rivals are holding opponents to 2.9 yards per rushing attempt.
• The Wolverines' defense had 12 tackles for loss in their game against Indiana.
• Devin Gardner is the 8th Wolverine quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards.
• Dennis Norfleet is That Team's all-time leader with 2,124 kickoff return yards.
• With a loss on Saturday Our Rivals will have their second losing season since 2009. Their last losing season before 2009 was 1967 (4-6).
• 23 Ohioans are on That Team's roster.

 

Today's Trivia Questions:

1. Can you name the last Big Ten school to go undefeated in three consecutive seasons?
2. How many times has That Team played Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State on the road in the same season?
3. 1942 was the last time Ohio State ended the regular season against an opponent other than That Team. Who did the Buckeyes finish the 1942 regular season against? 

 

Freshman Arm
J.T. Barrett enters The Game as Ohio State's most prolific freshman quarterback. Barrett didn't have his best game against Indiana, two interceptions and missed opportunities, but he did manage to throw for 302 yards, three touchdowns and complete just over 71 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 78 yards. For the season he has now completed 64.8% of his passes for 2,658 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Barrett is 151 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.

 

Barrett's Breaking Buckeye Records

• Total offense in a season: 3,507 yards
• Most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback: 189 yards
• Longest run by a quarterback: 86 yards
• Most total touchdowns in a season: 42
• Most touchdown passes in a season: 33
• Touchdown passes over three games: 14
• Touchdown passes in a game: 6
• Big Ten freshman of the week awards: 6

 

Freshman Legs
Curtis Samuel had his first carries in two games. Samuel ran for 40 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per carry. Will he get carries against Our Rival? I hope so. For the season Samuel has 354 rushing yards, is averaging 6.9 ypc and has four touchdowns.

 

 

From last week:

I hope Marshall is returning punts this week and does a phenomenal job. I would love to see Jalin Marshall get Ohio State's first punt, or kickoff, return for a touchdown since the 2012 game against Wisconsin.

No, I am not a prophet. I just felt Jalin Marshall was either going to crawl in a hole or have a huge day. He's a Buckeye so my money was on Marshall getting redemption. Play on player. 

 

Seasoned Sophomore
Ezekiel Elliott became Urban Meyer's second running back to gain 1,000 yards in a season. Elliot had a game-high 107 rushing yards, two touchdowns and averaged 7.7 yards per carry. He continues to lead the Buckeyes in rushing with 1,061 yards and 8 touchdowns. 

 

THAT TEAM'S INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

PASSING

Last Game: 13/24 (.542), 106 yards, 1 INT

2014 Stats: 152/251 (.606), 1,663 yards, 8 TDs, 14 INTs

Career: 453/755 (.600), 6,103 yards, 42 TDs, 31 INTs

 

 

RUSHING

Last Game: 28 yards, 2.8 ypc

2014 Stats: 515 yards, 4.9 ypc, 6 TDs

Career: 632 yards, 4.8 ypc, 6 TDs

 

 

RECEIVING

Last Game: 30 yards, 6.0 ypr

2014 Stats: 568 yards, 13.2 ypr, 3 TDs

Career: 1,607 yards, 13.5 ypr, 15 TDs

 

 

 

Last Game: 29 yards, 14.5 ypr

2014 Stats: 432 yards, 13.5 ypr, 2 TDs

Career: 432 yards, 13.5 ypr, 2 TDs

 

 

 

OHIO STATE'S INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

PASSING

Last Game: 25/35 (.714), 302 yards, 4 Tds, 2 INTs

2014 Stats: 190/293 (.648), 2,658 yards, 33 TDs, 10 INTs

Career: 190/293 (.648), 2,658 yards, 33 TDs, 10 INTs

 

RUSHING

Last Game: 107 yards, 8.2 ypc, TD

2014 Stats: 1,061 yards, 5.9 ypc, 8 TDs

Career: 1,323 yards, 6.3 ypc, 10 TDs

 

 

 

 

Last Game: 40 yards, 6.7 ypc

2014 Stats: 354 yards, 6.9 ypc, 4 TDs

Career: 354 yards, 6.9 ypc, 4 TDs

 

 

RECEIVING

 

Last Game: 22 yards, 11.0 ypr

Stats: 605 yards, 16.4 ypr, 8 TDs

Career: 627 yards, 15.7 ypr, 8 Tds

 

 

 

Last Game: 46 yards, 15.3 ypr

2014 Stats: 610 yards, 24.4 ypr, 8 TDs

Career: 2,182 yards, 19.3 ypr, 26 TDs

 

 

 

THE RUNOFF

Coaches

Urban Meyer

34-3 at Ohio State (3rd year)

138-26 overall (13th year)

Meyer is 38-3 in November since 2003. He has never lost in November as Ohio State's head coach.

 

 

 

Brady Hoke

31-19 at That Team (4th year)

78-69 overall (12th year)

 

 

 

 

Cliff Claven's Little Known Facts Corner

• Ohio State is 24-21-1 against That Team in Ohio Stadium.
• 38-0 is Ohio State's largest margin of victory in the series.
• The Buckeyes are 7-5-6 when the game is decided by 3 or less points.
• Ohio State is 19-17-6 when the game is decided by 7 or less points.
• Since 1918 the series is tied 46-46-4.
• Ohio State leads the series 34-27-2 since 1951 (Woody's first season).
• Ohio State has won an NCAA best 13 consecutive regular season road games.
• The Buckeyes have rushed for a touchdown in 19 straight games.
• Ohio State in fist in the nation in starting field position (37).
• The Buckeyes are out-scoring opponents 248-87 (23-8) in the first half this season.
• Time for a return? The Buckeyes did not return a kickoff or punt for a touchdown in 2013. That broke a ten-year streak of having at least one return in a season.

Jalin Marshall ended the punt return drought. I'm hoping the kickoff return drought ends this week. The task might be difficult considering Ohio State could only have one kickoff to return.

 

2014 Statistical Comparison

2014 Stats	Rank	Category	2014 Stats	Rank
44.3	5th	Points For	20.3	111th
22.5	30th	Points Against	20.6	21st
		OFFENSE
259.6	13th	Rushing Offense	166.6	61st
251.7	48th	Passing Offense	162.8	113th
511.4	10th	Total Offense	329.5	114th
		DEFENSE
147.8	41st	Rushing Defense	107.2	9th
182.5	15th	Pass Defense	194.6	23rd
330.4	19th	Total Defense	301.8	9th
		OFF. MISC.
.528	3rd	3rd Down Conv.	.382	81st
.825	67th	Red Zone	.879	30th
12.0	19th	Punt Return	6.8	85th
23.7	18th	Kickoff Return	19.9	82nd
		DEF. MISC.
.367	40th	3rd Down Conv.	.370	42nd
.818	56th	Red Zone	.816	51st
104.6	8th	Pass Eff. Def.	126.3	61st
40.1	18th	Net Punting	34.6	107th
	Total: 11	The EDGE	Total: 5

 

Today's Trivia Answers

Can you name the last Big Ten school to go undefeated in three consecutive seasons?

Answer: Minnesota 1933-1935.

 

How many times has That Team played Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State on the road in the same season?

Answer: 2014 is the first time.

 

1942 was the last time Ohio State ended the regular season against an opponent other than That Team. Who did the Buckeyes finish the 1942 regular season against?

Answer: Iowa Seahawks.

 

Sources
That Team
ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Photos came from 11W

 

In Case You Missed It
The Village
The Rundown

On Tap
The Series History (After 9:00 Tonight)
Blast From the Past (Thur)
Ohio State on 11-29 (Fri)