Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Focus turns to Michigan right after loss
But Buckeye players insist they weren't looking ahead before taking on the Illini.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
COLUMBUS — Brian Hartline looked at the reporters around him and turned serious.
"We weren't looking ahead this week," said Hartline, the Ohio State sophomore receiver. "Illinois just executed really well."
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With one game remaining before the annual grudge match in Ann Arbor, Ohio State and Michigan both lost Saturday, the Buckeyes to Illinois and the Wolverines to Wisconsin. Such losses could lead fans to think the teams had one eye on that game, but OSU players said that wasn't the case.
Next Saturday's game, though, still holds importance. Considered one of the greatest rivalries in sports, Ohio State (10-1) and Michigan (8-3) will meet in Michigan Stadium to decide the Big Ten championship (both are 6-1 in the conference). The title would mean redemption for the Wolverines, who lost their first two games in embarrassing fashion to Appalachian State and Oregon. It also could give the Buckeyes their second straight outright conference title.
Most of all, the Buckeyes are holding onto Saturday's game against Michigan as a balm to soothe their upset defeat to the Illini and evaporated hope of a second straight appearance in the national championship game. Offensive lineman Kirk Barton, who entered the postgame interview quickly and cracked open a Diet Coke, said as much in his opening comments to reporters.
"It's Michigan week as of now, so tonight we've got to start watching the film, got to start working out tonight and got to start grinding," said Barton, a senior captain. "That's our shot, you know? We're going up there. They're tough; they're ready for us. We've got to get our team right."
It wasn't right Saturday, when the Buckeyes surrendered 260 rushing yards (they entered as the nation's third-best defense against the run) and quarterback Todd Boeckman threw three interceptions. Michigan, meanwhile, allowed 477 yards to Wisconsin in its own upset loss.
Still, a trip to the Rose Bowl likely awaits Saturday's winner, despite disappointment in both locker rooms.
"You come to Ohio State," Hartline said, "to play Michigan."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com
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