You might think the Michigan Wolverines have much more to play for when college football's greatest rivalry is renewed at noon on Saturday in Ann Arbor.
Michigan (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten Conference) can clinch its first 10-win season and first BCS bowl berth since 2006 by beating Ohio State. The Wolverines also can end a seven-game losing streak to the Buckeyes.
But Ohio State (6-5, 3-4) also has some motivation. The Buckeyes can clinch a winning season and avoid their first 6-6 finish and five-loss Big Ten performance since 1999. No Ohio State senior class has lost to Michigan since 2003.
The Buckeyes also may be motivated to send interim coach Luke Fickell out with a victory over their biggest rival, since it appears Urban Meyer is about to become Ohio State's next coach.
QUARTERBACKS: Michigan - Denard Robinson is coming off his best game of the season in a rout of Nebraska. Can he make plays in the passing game against the Buckeyes? Ohio State - It's the same question for Braxton Miller, who has yet to pass for more than 132 yards in a game and has completed less than half his passes.
EDGE: Michigan.
RUNNING BACKS: Michigan - Former Liberty star Fitzgerald Toussaint (891 yards, 9 TDs) is second in rushing only to Robinson and has clearly established himself as the Wolverines' top back. Ohio State - Warren G. Harding product Dan Herron may need to duplicate his 175-yard effort against Michigan last season for the Buckeyes to win.
EDGE: Even.
RECEIVERS: Michigan - When the Wolverines do complete passes, they're usually big plays. They're averaging 15.9 yards per completion. Junior Hemingway has a team-high 30 catches. Jeremy Gallon has started only one game, but has 28 catches. Ohio State - TE Jake Stoneburner leads the Buckeyes with 13 catches. It's very possible OSU will end the regular season without a single player with 20 receptions.
EDGE: Michigan.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Michigan - Robinson's ability to move helps the line, which has allowed just 14 sacks. C David Molk and RT Mark Huyge are the only senior starters. Ohio State - LT Mike Adams and C Mike Brewster get one last shot at the Wolverines. They'll have to set the tone up front if the Buckeyes are to pull off the upset. OSU has allowed 36 sacks this season.
EDGE: Michigan.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Michigan - DE Ryan Von Bergen could be a problem. He leads the Wolverines with 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Ohio State - DE John Simon (43 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 6 sacks) and DT Johnathan Hankins (61 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks) must help contain Robinson and Toussaint.
EDGE: Ohio State.
LINEBACKERS: Michigan - MLB Kenny Demens leads the Wolverines with 78 tackles. The starters on either side of him are freshmen. Ohio State - Freshman Ryan Shazier had 15 tackles against Penn State, the most by a Buckeyes defender since Ross Homan had 15 against Wisconsin in 2009. Shazier was filling in for Andrew Sweat (concussion). Both of them should play against the Wolverines.
EDGE: Ohio State.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Michigan - SS Jordan Kovacs (60 tackles) is the Wolverines' second-leading tackler. CB J.T. Floyd has two interceptions and eight pass breakups. Ohio State - The Buckeyes' secondary is led by S Christian Bryant (61 tackles, 8 PBR). OSU has four players with at least two picks.
EDGE: Ohio State.
SPECIALISTS: Michigan - PK Brendan Gibbons has made 9 of 13 field goals and P WIll Hagerup averages 35.9 yards. Ohio State - The Buckeyes' return teams have been strong. PK Drew Basil has made 13 of 16 field goals after a slow start.
EDGE: Ohio State.
PREDICTION: Michigan finally wins one, 17-13.