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Ohio State's victory over Iowa a week ago made the Buckeyes' regular-season finale against Michigan largely irrelevant.

What? The Game irrelevant?

That might be a bit harsh, but it is true that this year's matchup doesn't have the cachet of Ohio State-Michigan games of the past. Was it really just three years ago that the top-ranked Buckeyes and second-ranked Wolverines met at Ohio Stadium with just about everything at stake?

These are not those Wolverines. Unless Michigan finds a way to beat Ohio State, the once-great program will finish under .500 and miss a bowl game for the second consecutive season after playing in a bowl for 33 straight years.

That's part of why Rich Rodriguez is under so much pressure right now. There are also off-the-field issues clouding his future in Ann Arbor.

Michigan (5-6, 1-6 Big Ten Conference) is playing for pride with its 4-0 start and top-25 ranking just a memory now. A victory over Ohio State would make the Wolverines bowl-eligible and get some of the critics off Rodriguez's back. It would also be Michigan's first win in the series since 2003.

Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) clinched at least a share of its fifth consecutive conference title with its overtime victory last week. The Buckeyes can win the outright title by beating the Wolverines, their biggest rivals, on Saturday.

Just minutes after beating the Hawkeyes, the Buckeyes talked of avoiding a letdown in Ann Arbor.

And why not? The game may not have significant BCS or conference implications, but it's still The Game.

• QUARTERBACKS: Michigan - Freshman Tate Forcier (142-of-243, 1,824 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs) has started every game, but fellow freshman Denard Robinson (12-27-185 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs) has played in every game, and Rodriguez said both will play against the Buckeyes. Ohio State - Two weeks ago, Pryor (135-of-241, 1,761 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs) got to play in Happy Valley against Penn State, which recruited him hard. Now, he gets his first chance to play in Ann Arbor against Michigan, which also was one of the finalists in the recruiting chase. EDGE: Buckeyes.

• RUNNING BACKS: Michigan - Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown have split time. Minor has 502 yards and 8 TDs. Brown has 480 yards and 4 TDs. Both average more than 5 yards per carry. Ohio State - The Buckeyes' runners are all healthy for what seems to be the first time this season. Brandon Saine (610 yards, 3 TDs) will start, but Dan "Boom" Herron (462 yards, 7 TDs) will get plenty of carries. Jordan Hall (248 yards, 1 TD) also should play. EDGE: Buckeyes.

• RECEIVERS: Michigan - The Wolverines spread the ball around. Three players (Roy Roundtree, Greg Mathews and Martavious Odoms) all have at least 22 catches, and five others have at least 10 receptions. Ohio State - Iowa did a better job of taking away the Buckeyes' deep routes than any recent opponent. DeVier Posey (47 catches, 689 yards) and Dane Sanzenbacher (26 catches, 495 yards) should get more downfield opportunities this week. EDGE: Buckeyes.

• OFFENSIVE LINE: Michigan - The Wolverines' left side has been solid, with tackle Mark Ortmann and guard Stephen Schilling starting every game. There has been shifting from week to week in the other three spots. Michigan has allowed 26 sacks, but the run game is averaging almost 5 yards per carry. Ohio State - The Buckeyes have been solid over the last month. The return of Jim Cordle, who has settled in at left tackle after battling injuries early in the season, has helped. EDGE: Buckeyes.

• DEFENSIVE LINE: Michigan - End Brandon Graham is a monster. He leads the Wolverines with 8.5 sacks and the nation with 21 tackles for loss. The Buckeyes better find a way to keep him away from Pryor. Ohio State - The Buckeyes' front four dominated in Ann Arbor two years ago on a cold, rainy Saturday. Vernon Gholston lived in Michigan's backfield that day. He's gone, but Ohio State still has a formidable and deep defensive front. EDGE: Even.

• LINEBACKERS: Michigan - Undersized senior Stevie Brown (6-0, 211) leads the Wolverines with 73 tackles. Obi Ezeh has 69 stops. This group of linebackers hasn't helped Michigan get off the field enough on third down. Ohio State - Ross Homan took the team lead with his fourth interception against Iowa. He also leads Ohio State with 84 tackles, and leads the team's linebackers with four pass breakups. Brian Rolle (82 tackles) returned an interception for a TD against Iowa, but it was negated by an offsides penalty. EDGE: Buckeyes.

• DEFENSIVE BACKS: Michigan - Junior cornerback Donovan Warren has been busy. He leads the Wolverines with four interceptions and seven pass breakups, which means opponents are throwing to his side more than anywhere else. Remember, Rodriguez booted Boubacar Cissoko from the team a few weeks ago. Ohio State - The Buckeyes' secondary was exposed a few times by Iowa because the front seven didn't get a lot of pressure on James Vandenberg last week. Cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence didn't play well. Free safety Anderson Russell had two interceptions. EDGE: Even.

• SPECIALISTS: Michigan - Punter Zoltan Mesko leads the Big Ten with a 44.7-yard average. Kicker Jason Olesnavage has made 10-of-13 field goals, including a 51-yarder. Junior Hemingway averages 10.8 yards on punt returns, while Darryl Stonum averages 26.1 yards on kickoff returns, including a 94-yard TD. Ohio State - Devin Barclay made the most of his second chance with a 39-yard field goal in overtime to beat Iowa. Earlier, Barclay missed from 47 yards with a chance to ice the game. Jon Thoma is last in the conference with an average of 37.4 yards per punt, but opponents have called for a fair catch on 27 of his 46 punts, and 19 of his kicks have dropped inside the 20. Ray Small has jump-started the return game. EDGE: Even.

• PREDICTION: Sure, the Buckeyes are going to Pasadena win or lose, but don't expect a letdown. ... Ohio State, 33-13.

epuskas@tribtoday.com