TheWolverine.com - Notebook: Wolverines say they're ready for OSU

November 16, 2009

Chris Balas
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor

Michigan hasn't beaten Ohio State in five years, and many believe the streak will extend to six on Saturday. But the U-M players who showed up at Monday's press conference remain confident -- even after six straight Big Ten losses -- that they can win.

It's a week for doing, not talking, fifth-year senior center David Moosman said, and he and his teammates plan to prepare as though the Rose Bowl is still on the line.

"We've got to beat them on Monday, and we've got to beat them on Tuesday and Wednesday and [the rest of the week]," said Moosman. "Preparation is the key. We definitely know what we're capable of, and we've definitely seen greatness out there. We have to do it for 60 minutes."

Like most Michigan teams, several Ohioans adorn the roster. One starter - redshirt freshman right guard Patrick Omameh - hails from Columbus, giving him even more at stake.

"Nothing really needs to be said. I'm going to go in and watch film, and I'm going to bring him with me," said Moosman. "I'm going to show him everything he needs to do to win. He knows what he needs to do, our coaches are going to coach him and then he's going to play his heart out. He always does. He always has."

And he certainly won't be in awe of Ohio State's defense, stellar as it's been this year, Moosman predicted.

"There's nobody that's really far and away better than anyone we've individually seen out there. They are a good defense, but I think we're capable of handling them," he said.

Ohio State's offensive line, meanwhile, has had some struggles this year, while Michigan's defensive line has been the team's strongest unit. They, too, are confident they can have success in the trenches.

"They're a good offensive line. I don't know if they're going to be the best we've seen all year until we play against them," defensive lineman Ryan Van Bergen said. "Penn State had a good line; Wisconsin had a decent one. Physically, I don't think they'll be anything we haven't prepared for in the past. It is Michigan - Ohio State, so we can expect them to be better prepared and better scouted, so we have to do the same thing on our side. Other than that, I don't think it's going to be a different challenge than we've had all year."

Notching a sixth win and becoming bowl eligible is one of Saturday's goals, but that won't be the primary motivation, said Moosman.

"It's Ohio State. It's the last game of the year. It's everything," he said. "We haven't beaten them in five years ... I'd say that's unfinished business.

"I see what they have and I've seen what we've got. I think it matches up."

Boren set to return

Offensive guard Justin Boren had a number of school choices when he decided to transfer from Michigan, later citing "erosion of family values" as one of the reasons he left. That he went to Ohio State still doesn't sit well with a few of his former teammates, many opining he never should have been at U-M in the first place.

Senior defensive end Brandon Graham spoke for several when he said it was obvious Boren might not stick around, distancing himself from the team after Lloyd Carr retired.

"So we kind of knew something was going to happen," Graham said. "He just didn't feel like he needed to be here. He could have gone anywhere else, but you went to Ohio State? That was just like a slap in the face.

"He was just so used to the Coach Carr era, I guess he didn't want to get used to nothing else."

Moosman said he didn't have a relationship with Boren when the two were both at Michigan, and that hasn't changed since. Boren did send Moosman a few choice text messages following his departure.

"He doesn't often come up in thought. When he does ? he came here, and then he left," said Moosman. "Just like anybody else, you need to move on. For whatever reason he decided to go to Ohio State.

"He's messaged me and stuff ? nothing too sportsmanlike or friendly. But it's neither here nor there. I'm not planning on going over there [and seeing him], and it doesn't matter what he does or says - we're going out there to beat Ohio State's defense."

The two won't face each other on the field anyway, Moosman noted.

Graham and Van Bergen will, however, and the U-M line will be motivated. Boren won't consume their focus, Van Bergen said.

"He's one guy of five on their offensive line. The defensive line we have to study everybody similarly and prepare for everybody the same way," he said. "We haven't really focused on that. We just want to be able to dominate up front.

"If you look back, there have been a lot of guys that have left. The fact that he chose that school I guess is a little bit ? uh, different. But not too different than the other guys that left. It's not something you're just going to forget and glance over, but he's only one guy, controlling one gap. We'll prepare for everybody and be well rounded going into the game and help everybody out."

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