Not "The Game of the Century"...but still the same meaning.

Amazing, one year ago there was about 2 months of hype surrounding the Ohio State-Michigan football game.

Where did all this hype go? Each team still has a small test before this game. With Ohio State versus Illinois and Michigan versus Wisconsin this week, there is no guarantee these two teams will be playing the deciding game for the Big 10 title. But for the moment, lets assume they each win.

Ohio State is currently 10-0, 6-0 in the Big Ten. Michigan is 8-2, 6-0 in the Big Ten. With this game being the biggest rivalry in college football and both currently undefeated heading into this final game of the year for each team, why is everyone overlooking this game?

I have a theory on this. Ohio State is the number one team in the nation in all polls, most importantly the Bowl Championship Series poll. But the concensus around the nation is that Ohio State does not deserve the number one ranking. They really haven't played a hard non-conference schedule, Washington being their toughest opponent. But look at the dynamics and the makeup of this Buckeye squad. Todd Boeckman, quarterback, has the same statistics as Troy Smith...who ended up with the Heisman Trophy. They have a very solid ground attack led by Chris Wells. Lastly, but certainly not least, is the defense led by All-American lineback James Laurinaitis.

Sound familiar Tennessee fans? Do you remember the makeup of the 1998 National Title team? Tee Martin, the very solid quarterback that followed all everything quarterback Peyton Manning. The running attack of Travis Stephens and Travis Henry. Lastly, the very good defense with an All-American linebacker Al Wilson. That team, like this year's 2007 Ohio State team, was full of team players and lacking playmakers.

On the Michigan side, it sounds like people have written off the Wolverines based on the 34-32 monumental upset that Appalachian State pulled off in "The Big House". They then followed that up with Oregon coming into town and defeating Michigan 39-7. But that was back in September. We're well into November so let's look at what that means now. Appalachian State was already defending back-to-back national champions of the Championship Subdivision (formerly the Division 1-AA). They currently sit at 7-2 overall, losing to F.C.S powerhouses Wofford and Georgia Southern. Oregon is one of seven one-loss teams looking to make it to the B.C.S. Title Game. Oregon has all but wrapped up the Pacific-Ten championship.

So with all this said about Ohio State and Michigan, why is this game not getting the proper credit in 2007. 2006 featured each team at 10-0 and they were ranked one and two respectively. The Buckeyes won this classic 42-39. O.S.U has won four of the last five, but Michigan leads overall at 57-40-6. Other says, well Michigan and Ohio State lost their respective bowl games last year. All I say to this, is that this is 2007. 2006 was last year so lets leave that in the past when talking about this game.

Take this game as it is. It may not be the 1 vs. 2 matchup that we all were anticipating for two months last year. This is probably not going to be the game of the century. But what it will be, is a game for the Big Ten title, each team has won at least eight straight games, and barring an upset this weekend, each team will be in the Top ten. Those who say there is not as much on the line in this game as last year, think about this. With a win, Ohio State wins the Big Ten and goes to the National Title game, and sits back for a month to see which one-loss team faces them. With a Michigan win, the Wolverines make it back to the Rose Bowl for a second straight year, win the Big Ten title, and open up the BCS for teams like LSU, Oregon, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and West Virginia.

So with each team winning this week, on November 17 at noon, I know where I will be. I'll tuning in to watch this game, could be one of the biggest of the year.