A couple of months ago, I used this very same space to sing the praises of the Ohio State Buckeyes and their win-no-matter-what approach to game after game.

Well, in case you haven't noticed, that idea is pretty much out the window. Starting with an overtime loss in Evanston,Ill. to a surprisingly good Northwestern team in early October, the Buckeyes have been on a major slide by their standards with losses to Wisconsin, Purdue, Iowa and the aforementioned Wildcats producing a less than inspiring 6-4 record.

The mystique that had been surrounding coach Jim Tressel's team since the 2002 season was shattered and ground to dust in those four losses. The reality of El Paso or San Antonio in December and some not so happy holidays have replaced one time hopes of a January trip to Pasadena or maybe even Miami.

And, on top of this less than stellar season, come recent accusations by beloved son turned Benedict Arnold, Maurice Clarrett, which allege that the Buckeyes illegally showered the running back prodigy with gifts and easy grades during his brief in Columbus.

It's not my place to discuss the Clarett situation. The only things I have even heard in regards have come from Sportscenter, and for me to speculate would be wrong. But I can say that if the allegations turn out to be true, four or five loss seasons may become the norm in Columbus for a little while.

So a very promising season for Ohio State has turned into a disappointing one ominously lined with dark clouds. But if the saying that lines the entrance tunnel at Molineux, home of English soccer's Wolverhampton Wanderers is true, and from darkness truly cometh light, then there is hope for Ohio State.

That hope comes in the form of the invading Michigan Wolverines (9-1) who will try to turn the Horseshoe into rubble on national television this Saturday. No one win can soothe all that is currently ailing the Buckeyes, but if one can come close, it's one that prevents Michigan from winning an outright Big Ten championship.

I am not acquainted with many Ohio State fans so I'm not totally sure what the typical Buckeye response to this hypothetical question would be: "Which would you consider a more successful season: Going 10-1 with a loss to Michigan, or 7-4 with a win over the Wolverines?" My guess is that no matter how they answered, the respondent would have to think a little while about it. Or maybe not. Maybe they would just take the 7-4 and run as soon as the words were spoken.

That's all well and good, you say. Sure a win this Saturday would definitely help salvage Ohio State's season, but can it be done? On paper, probably not. Michigan has not lost since September 12 and since then freshman quarterback Chad Henne and freshman running back Mike Hart have grown up and turned into stars. Those two, coupled with wide receiver Braylon Edwards and another typically strong defense, have turned a shaky season in Ann Arbor into a great one.

On the other hand, the Ohio State offense has been for the most part stagnant, failing to find any sort of rhythm or the ability to impose its will on an opposing defense.

But this game isn't being played on paper. It's being played on a grass field in late November in central Ohio where anything can happen.

I seem to recall that as well as using this space to celebrate an Ohio State team that didn't turn out to be all that great, I also used it to predict, however vaguely, a Michigan win over Notre Dame back in September.

To say, that's why they play the games, is trite and a cliché. But the reason why clichés become clichés is that they usually have some merit.

Michigan has some pretty good players, but so does Ohio State.

If the Buckeyes' Ted Ginn, arguably the fastest player on either team's roster, can get loose on a couple of punt returns and give the struggling Ohio State offense some good field position, or maybe even take one back for a score, the game could get pretty interesting.

I just can't see Michigan's offense rolling over the Buckeye D, especially on the road. Henne may very well turn out to be a Buckeye tormentor over the course of his career, but if there were ever a time for him to cave under the pressure of The Game, it would be this time. Which element will win out in the end? The skill and momentum and good vibes of Michigan or the desperation and defiance of Ohio State?

I've learned my lesson though. The only prediction made on this game is that there will be some pretty intense football from two teams searching for very different things.