OSU beats Michigan again

Another Michigan game, another Ohio State victory.The Buckeyes claimed their seventh straight win over that team from up north, 37-7 Saturday at Ohio Stadium.Coach Jim Tressel improved to 9-1 against the Wolverines.Although the margin was 30 points, it wasn't quite that easy for OSU. They started off slow in the first quarter, while Michigan found early momentum.But once OSU got rolling, it was lights out for Michigan.The Wolverines are a better team, going from three to five to seven wins (with a bowl game) in coach Rich Rodriguez's three seasons as coach of Michigan.But this team is still not in the same class as the Buckeyes, Wisconsin and Michigan State this year.With a large margin, OSU, which improved to 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten, tying the Badgers and Spartans for the Big Ten crown, the positives outweigh the negatives.PositivesOSU forced three turnovers, as Travis Howard and Nathan Williams both recovered fumbles and Howard picked off a Tate Forcier pass. The Buckeyes tallied 10 points off those turnovers. In addition, Michigan's first fumble, one by quarterback Denard Robinson, happened at the Buckeyes 9.The Buckeyes' special teams, a sore area early in the season, received an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jordan Hall. The Buckeyes responded after a Michigan touchdown and gave OSU a 17-7 lead midway through the second quarter. OSU also capitalized on a couple of short punts.OSU's rushing attack gained just 33 yards at halftime, but ended with 258 for the game. The Buckeyes offensive front paved the way for Dan Herron's 175 yards for the game, including one from 89 in the second half. Herron also reached the 1,000-yard plateau for the season.By the same token, Michigan had 167 net yards rushing the first half, but finished with 182 for the game.OSU possessed the ball for 34:16, including 20 minutes in the second half to 25:44 for the Wolverines.Negatives1.The Buckeyes committed seven penalties, including two unsportsmanlike penalties after touchdowns and another one on a punt. In addition, Herron's 98-yarder for a touchdown was negated with a holding penalty.With three field goals, OSU left points on the field, considering the Buckeyes drove to the Michigan 19, 17 and 6.Quarterback Terelle Pryor threw an interception. It marked the sixth straight game he had at least one.This is more of a negative for Michigan, but the receivers didn't help Robinson with dropped balls and the Wolverines committed key penalties. If Michigan doesn't make those mistakes, maybe it's a closer contest.