By Rusty Miller
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As Ohio State's head coach from 1979 to 1987, Earle Bruce won five of the nine games played with rival Michigan. Along the way, he learned how important the game was to his neighbors.

"It is the game, it is the big game and sometimes people say it is the only game," said Bruce, now a radio analyst on Buckeyes football. "It lets you walk the main streets of Columbus, Ohio. Or if you lose, you go to the alleys, buddy."

Current Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has a lot riding on the outcome of Saturday's showdown with No. 12 Michigan: a No. 2 ranking, a 12-0 record, a shot at the national championship, a share of a Big Ten title - and the ability to be seen in public for a year.

A year ago, in his first game against Michigan as Ohio State coach, Tressel won 26-20. That victory brightened the winter for the Buckeyes' fans, who preferred to recall the win in Ann Arbor instead of a 7-5 record, a bowl defeat and a third-place finish in the conference.

Tressel got to walk on main street. But he knows the adulation he's getting from Ohio State's fans lasts only until the first time he loses to the hated Wolverines.

"We can't worry about what's going to happen if we win or if we don't," Tressel said. "We've got to focus on the game."

The teams are meeting for the 99th time. Both sides carry a lot of baggage from the past.

Asked what separates "The Game" from other rivalries, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said, "History. You look at all the great games, players, coaches. Anytime you have an opportunity to play in that game it is special because of what it means to so many people.

"There are a lot of guys that played at Michigan that watch that game every year, and I am sure it is the same for Ohio State. They go to the games because it is a way for them to relive the opportunities that they had to play in the game."

Ohio State does not want to relive the games in 1969, '95 and '96. Each time, the Buckeyes went into the Michigan game with a perfect record and left with their season in tatters.

And a year in the alleys.

Michigan tailback B.J. Askew knows the feeling.

"I'm an Ohio guy," the Cincinnati native said. "Man, when we lost to Ohio State, I'd go home and hear guys talking, 'Hey what happened?"'

With their first back-to-back wins over Michigan since 1981 and 1982, the Buckeyes could assure themselves a spot in the national championship game on Jan. 3 at the Fiesta Bowl. They have survived close games against Cincinnati (23-19), Northwestern (27-16), Wisconsin (19-14), Penn State (13-7), Purdue (10-16) and Illinois (23-16 in overtime last week).

"Anyone is beatable," Michigan safety Charles Drake said. "I think there is a lot of competition around the nation and that is why the games are so close. They have been finding ways to win and that is all that counts at the end of the day."

Ohio State strong safety Donnie Nickey said the Buckeyes can't be taken in by their ranking or record.

"The danger lies in getting caught up in it - we think we're more than we are, we think we're greater than we are, we take for granted how much work we've done and what we've done this season," he said. "But I don't think that's going to happen."

Michigan (9-2, 6-1) can improve its bowl standing - possibly picking off a BCS bid - in addition to ruining Ohio State's hopes again.

The Wolverines have won three in a row since losing at home to Big Ten leader Iowa.

Weather wasn't expected to be a factor in Saturday's game. No snow or rain was forecast, and temperatures were expected to be in the high 30s.

Defense will likely rule the day, since neither team is ranked in the top six in the conference in total offense.

Ohio State freshman tailback Maurice Clarett hasn't played a full game in more than a month because of an injured shoulder. Without him, the Buckeyes have had difficulty running the ball.

Michigan quarterback John Navarre has played in fits and spurts, and always seems to save his worst for the Wolverine's biggest games. He was intercepted four times and completed just 21 of 47 passes a year ago against the Buckeyes.

Still, like Ohio State, Michigan has won five games decided by seven or fewer points. And Carr has a 10-2 record against teams ranked in the top 10.

"Everyone's looking for the right answer right now and trying to see what's going to happen," two-time Ohio State All-American strong safety Michael Doss said. "But you really won't know until 12:15 kickoff on Saturday. Once the game gets going, that's when it all counts."