CFB: The Game of the Century
Michigan. Ohio State. What more could you possibly say about these two? In 2006, they met for the 103rd time. This great rivalry started in 1898, and this notably was the first time they had ever met as No. 1 and No. 2. The winner would go on to the National Championship, and loser would have the consolation prize of the Rose Bowl. This is the story of two evenly matched heavy weights dueling it out in the ring of college football.
Ohio State:
The No. 1 Buckeyes lived up to their status that was given to them in the preseason. All season long, eventual Heisman winner Troy Smith, had torched defenses, both on the ground and in the air. Ohio State's toughest and closest game oddly enough came against a 2-7 Illinois team that they barely beat 17-10. However, the Scarlet and Grey blew out tough teams throughout the year such as Michigan State, Iowa, Penn State, and defending national champion Texas.
Michigan:
The No. 2 Wolverines fought their way into the second spot after starting at No. 14 in the preseason. Heisman hopeful Mike Hart, who finished fifth in the voting, carried the Wolverines into Columbus undefeated. Michigan's closest game that season came in front of 110,000 fans in a "White Out" at Beaver stadium whom they, like Ohio State, came away with a 17-10 victory. On the other hand, Michigan had blown out tough teams that year as well such as, Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame. Michigan had a bigger chip on their shoulder than Ohio State, though. Legendary coach and all-around great person, Bo Schembechler passed away one day after speaking with the team and one day before the game.
The Game:
Kicking off in front of 105,708 people at the Horse Shoe, both sides needed as much luck as they could get. It was the first edition of the game played under the lights which inevitably came in the second half after a 3:44 p.m. start. Michigan received the ball to start and wasted no time with it. Henne completed several passes and the drive ended with a Hart touchdown.
On the ensuing possession, Ohio State scored on a Smith touchdown pass. The two fighters ended the first round equal after trading blows at 7-7. Michigan had the ball at the start of the second quarter, but could not muster up any offense. Ohio State however could. Freshman running Chris "Beanie" Wells bursted for a 52 yard touchdown run giving the Bucks a 14-7 lead.
Ted Ginn Jr. found his way into the end zone next on a ball delivered from Smith. Michigan, now trailing 21-7, needed an answer. Chad Henne gave them just that with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Arrington. With the half winding down Ohio State marched 72 yards for a Smith touchdown pass to future Indianapolis Colt, Anthony Gonzalez.
Time ran out on the following kickoff, leaving Ohio State in command going into the locker room. A Mike Hart touchdown and Garrett Rivas field goal cut down Ohio State's lead to 28-24. Just as Michigan was inching back, Ohio State pulled a little further away with a 56-yard touchdown run from Antonio Pittman just three plays later.
Michigan opened up the final quarter having the ball down 35-24 after a Buckeye turnover. Hart punched in his third touchdown of the day from the one-yard line. Little things in this game are often overlooked like what happened on the very next play. Trailing 35-30 Michigan lined up for two to make it a three-point game. In a classic coaching chess mach, Jim Tressel called a timeout to make sure his defense was ready.
Knowing that his opponent had burned a valuable second half time out, Lloyd Carr sent out the field goal unit and got an extra point, making it 35-31. With 5:03 left Brian Robiske caught a 13-yard touchdown pass after an 11-play 83-yard drive to make it 42-31. That score would remain until a Tyler Ecker touchdown catch from Henne with just 2:16 to go in the contest.
Michigan's season weighed on an onside kick ultimately recovered by Ginn Jr., giving Ohio State a path to victory. Michigan had no timeouts when Ohio State started the drive. With under a minute left, Pittman on 3rd & 2 got the first down and Ohio State got their shot at a national championship.
Aftermath:
This, in my opinion, was the death of an era for Michigan. Having been a national power for so long, Michigan would not regain that status until the 2015 season, nearly 10 years later. Their next game was the Rose Bowl, in which they were subsequently defeated by USC, 32-18.
This was the continuation of a great era by Ohio State which is still in effect today. Ohio State would however go on to lose the National Championship, 41-14, to Florida. In the following year, the Buckeyes lost again in the final to LSU. They however would return in 2014 where they ultimately beat Oregon and brought a championship back to Columbus.
Photo Credit: Eleven Warriors & Land of 10.
