DaytonDailyNews.com

Remember when Michigan-Ohio State week was really special? Now Michigan is 3-8, the first time the Wolverines have failed to win TWO games in a row in a season since 1962.

And, truth be told, there's not a real groundswell of excitement in Columbus, either. A small percentage of bandwagon fans jumped off when the national title was no longer a possibility.

Then there is an element of Buckeye Nation that would just as soon the Buckeyes NOT go to a BCS bowl game, such as the Rose (where it might draw a rematch with USC and get tagged with an embarrassing, season-ending loss for a third time in as many years).

Many fans have their fingers crossed that they somehow draw a matchup with the champion of the ACC or Big East, two conferences which are even further down the pecking order than the Big Ten. Maybe that way Ohio State's followers would have a smile on their faces all winter.

With cold weather forecast for Saturday, Periscope bets that there'll be a lot of tickets available on e-Bay and from ticket brokers this week.

Famous last words

Michigan S Brandon Harrison: "If we can come out and beat O-State that would clear everything up."

Question of the day

SportingNews.com posed the following to its readers:

"Hiring Rich Rodriguez will:

a) Haunt Michigan for many years

b) Start paying off next season

c) Bring Michigan a national title within five years

d) Come full circle when he bails for a better team"

— Rusty Miller, Associated Press