Ohio State “bests” Michigan to cap perfect season

It started before the game. Trash-talking, pushing and shoving, and even a punch was thrown. Such is the norm in “The Game.” All season long, people were looking forward to this match up — the first battle of Urban vs. Brady.

In front of 105,899 people, the biggest crowd ever to watch “the Game” at the Horseshoe, Ohio State held the Michigan offense scoreless in the second half, and rode the arm of quarterback Braxton Miller, en route to a 26-21 victory.

Emotions ran high Saturday in Columbus, as the seniors were not only playing their last game at “the Shoe,” they were playing their last game in a Buckeye uniform, as a result of the NCAA sanctions.

Two of Michigan’s three touchdowns came on big plays. In the first quarter, receiver Roy Roundtree caught a 75-yard pass from quarterback Devin Gardner. The second big play came in the second quarter, on a 67-yard touchdown run by Denard Robinson, who was utilizing his dual threat abilities, by lining up at running back throughout the game.

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller led the Buckeye passing attack, going 14 for 18 in passing attempts, throwing for 189 yards and one touchdown. Running back Carlos Hyde was a thorn in the Wolverine’s side, continuously pounding the ball up the middle for yards. Hyde finished the game with 146 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Urban Meyer got the best of Brady Hoke, who didn’t shake Meyer’s hand after the game, a move which angered many in Buckeye nation. Fans quickly got over it, though, as they reveled in a sea of scarlet and gray, and an undefeated season.

Irish eyes are smiling

Notre Dame completed an undefeated season and punched its ticket to Miami for the BCS National Championship Saturday with a 22-13 victory over USC.

The defense stood tall and kept the Trojans out of the end zone as the clock ticked down. Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick had quite possibly his best game of the season, rushing for 146 yards and one touchdown.

USC freshman quarterback Max Wittek, who was filling in for the injured Matt Barkley, gave the Trojans a shot at the end of the game, throwing a 53-yard bomb to receiver Marqise Lee to put them at the Notre Dame 2-yard line with 5:58 left. With a little momentum and favorable field position, USC was about to make this a one-possession game, but they had to get past the Irish defense first.

Notre Dame almost “shot themselves in the foot,” getting called for two pass interference penalties in the waning minutes.

USC tried a short pass on fourth and goal, but it was dropped by fullback Soma Vainuku. With that goal-line stand, members of Notre Dame’s defense ran to the sideline to greet their teammates, and they could keep running to Miami. The unsung hero for the Irish was kicker Kyle Brindza, who tied a school record with five field goals.

The Irish will be looking to “wake up the echoes” and will look to write another chapter in Notre Dame’s rich football history in Miami in January.

Alabama vs. Auburn

With all of the recent upsets in college football, Alabama suddenly finds itself back in the national championship picture. Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama drubbed their in-state rival Auburn 49-0.

The Crimson Tide pretty much dominated in all facets of the game, and as a result, probably signed Auburn coach Gene Chizik’s pink slip.

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron was 15 for 21 in passing attempts, throwing for 216 yards and four touchdowns. It was the third time this season that McCarron threw for four touchdowns in a game.

Alabama running back Eddie Lacy paced the Crimson Tide rushing attack, rushing for 131 yards and adding two touchdowns. Receivers Amari Cooper and Kevin Norwood were the main passing outlets for McCarron, as they each added a pair of receiving touchdowns.

Auburn showed very little fight, as Saturday’s game was the second straight SEC game where Auburn’s offense failed to score any points.

Coach Gene Chizik might have coached his last game for the Tigers. A tough season, coupled with the recent NCAA investigation, does not bode well for the fourth-year head coach.

Alabama will go on to face the #3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Saturday, in what is being billed as the “de-facto” national semifinal game, with the winner most likely going on the face Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship game.

Contact Chris Ginley at [email protected].