The head coach, defense and many individuals looking for strong finishes to the season.

BEREA, Ohio – As training camp opened and optimism percolated, Browns captain Joe Thomas spoke hopefully of the upcoming season and ruefully of ones past.

The Pro Bowl left tackle said he dreamed of the day he’d run out of the FirstEnergy Stadium tunnel for a playoff game. He added that teammates could become “legends” if they delivered a championship to title-starved Cleveland.

Thomas also reflected on the years of losing that have followed a teasing 10-6 rookie season. Since the start of 2008, the Browns have spent just two weeks over .500. In describing the feeling that’s accompanied a parade of four- and five-win seasons, Thomas chose a word that’s both powerful and apt.

“It’s drudgery,” he said.

If the Browns (4-7) haven’t reached that mental state after a pair of blowout losses rendered them unfit for the playoffs, they are likely approaching it. Whatever momentum they gained from a Nov. 3 win against Baltimore was squandered in back-to-back losses to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh which included a combined eight turnovers.

This week’s news has been dominated by the return of embattled quarterback Brandon Weeden to the starting role and post-game comments from safety T.J. Ward blaming the last two losses on the offense’s giveaways. Ward said Wednesday he didn’t regret remarks born out of frustration, but added he has “complete faith” in the offense and lamented that nobody reported his comments about the defense needing to create more turnovers.

Coach Rob Chudzinski doused talk of infighting and testified to the unity of the team, saying he’s never been “around one that’s closer.”

Here are facts frustrated fans know: The club has lost five of its last six, was dominated by its bitter rival Sunday and can find tickets through secondary markets online for the Jacksonville game starting at $8 as of Thursday morning.

It’s hard to imagine a more unappealing matchup a week after being removed from playoff consideration. But a local ticket broker told cleveland.com the meager asking prices are in line with past December games when the Browns fell out of contention and the two-deep roster bore no resemblance to the one in September.

Such are the telltale signs of fan drudgery.

Cornerback Joe Haden said motivation would not be problem for players over the last five weeks.

“The playoff picture is big, it’s super big, but at end of the day whatever you do on tape is your resume,” he said. “If you don’t play for the Browns the other 31 teams want to see what you are able to do. That whole, ‘If you’re not motivated to play because you have nothing to play for, the playoffs,’ then you don’t deserve to be in the locker room, you don’t deserve to be in the league.

“You can’t go out there and play weak because you’re out of the picture. What is that going to do for the next people who come in? ‘You guys look unmotivated.’ I don’t have time for that here.”

The homestretch still holds intrigue for multiple reasons, starting with the coach.

View full sizeBrowns head coach Rob Chudzinski, right, has dealt with many issues in his rookie season including Jimmy Haslam's legal problems. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

Chudzinski has been lauded by players for navigating the team through such a trying rookie season, one that’s included Josh Gordon’s two-game drug suspension, Trent Richardson’s trade and owner Jimmy Haslam’s legal troubles.

Defensive captain D’Qwell Jackson calls Chudzinski -- a lifelong Browns fan and two-time national champion tight end at the University of Miami – “a leader of men.” Former Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, who remains close with several teammates, told cleveland.com of a transformed locker-room culture.

“Guys say there is a completely different feel this season,” Fujita said.

But fans are tired of hearing about changes that don’t produce positive results. Yes, the Browns started 3-2 and remained in a diluted AFC wild-card race for 11 games, yet here they are sitting at four wins on Nov. 28.

Chudzinski’s job is in no jeopardy, but not to surpass last year’s 5-11 mark would be a blow. Let’s be honest -- if the Browns can’t beat the Jaguars (2-9), who can say with conviction they will win another game this season?

The optimism coming out of the bye week seems like ages ago.

And what to make of the defense? On Oct. 25, following losses to Detroit and Green Bay, defensive coordinator Ray Horton vowed: “I think at Thanksgiving when we sit in here, you’ll say, ‘wow, you were probably right in what you said back then about (the defense) getting better.’'

There’s little question the defense is outperforming the offense. It ranks fourth overall, fifth against the pass and sixth against the rush. All impressive numbers. It’s also made slight improvement on its woeful third-down efficiency.

But in a league where big plays are so important, the unit is failing to supply them. They have the fourth fewest takeaways (13), rank next-to-last in red-zone touchdown percentage (66.67) and didn’t register a sack in losses to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Horton addresses the media Friday.

There are several defenders in need of strong finishes. Outside linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger are among them. After a bright start in which he recorded sacks in his first three games, the sixth overall pick has one in his last seven games. Mingo will need to get stronger and develop more pass-rush moves in the off-season.

View full sizeBrowns linebacker Paul Kruger vowed to be a reliable every-down player. He's accomplished that objective, but his sack totals are down this season. Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer

By contrast, Kruger, 27, is a fully formed player. He signed a five-year, $40 million deal after enjoying a career season with Baltimore. The edge rusher wanted to prove he’s more than a pass-rush specialist. The fact he’s sitting on 2.5 sacks screams it. In fairness, Kruger has been stout against the run and, according to ProFootballFocus.com, among the league’s top-10 in quarterback hurries with 28. But his inability to finish fuels speculation that he needs a big-time edge rusher opposite him, a role played by Terrell Suggs in Baltimore.

As for the offense, the level of intrigue is not as high because opinions have been formed on most of the key players.

Gordon is having a terrific season. He leads the NFL in yards per catch (18.3) among receivers with 40 or more receptions. His yards per game (109.8) trail only Calvin Johnson. He is Pro Bowl-eligible and you’d think such an honor would validate his work to stay clean.

Tight end Jordan Cameron’s bid for a Pro Bowl lost steam around midseason. He’d love a strong finish to carry into next year.

There’s off-season change coming at quarterback, running back and several receiver and offensive line positions. Might backup quarterback Alex Tanney, signed from the Dallas practice squad on Tuesday, get a start? There's certainly a curiosity factor, one that's lacking with Weeden.

Fans may be watching the final five weeks of one of their best players, center Alex Mack, a potential free agent who's just hitting his prime. What becomes of the hard-hitting Ward, also a free agent, and do his recent comments factor into management’s decision?

As playoff hopes fade, ample intrigue remains, including hard looks at the first year of the Joe Banner-Michael Lombardi management team. (Getting a first-round pick for Richardson, good. Giving receiver Davone Bess a three-year extension, well ...)

After going 10-6 in rookie season, here are the hard lessons Thomas said he's learned:

“That 2008 year, 4-12, it really teaches you that even if you’re out of the playoffs, with no chance of making the playoffs, you still have a job to do and have to show up every day and give your best,” he said on July 29. “It doesn’t matter what your record is. For good or for bad, that’s been the approach I’ve taken since then.”

Thomas is likely headed back to the Pro Bowl. The dream of running out the FirstEnergy Stadium tunnel for a playoff game is deferred for another season.

With C.J. Miles still out with a calf injury, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown could start rookie Sergey Karasev over rookie Matthew Dellavedova

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- C.J. Miles is annoyed.

"Can't catch a break, right?'' he said, forcing a small smile. "It's annoying. I don't know what else to say.''

Miles was the Cavaliers' starting shooting guard for two games -- and two minutes. When Dion Waiters missed two games earlier this month with an illness, Miles stepped in. He started a third -- against Washington at The Q on Nov. 20 -- but left with a strained right calf that has sidelined him ever since. Miles was hoping to return for Friday night's game against the Celtics, but that appears doubtful.

"I'm as close as I can be,'' Miles said after Friday's shootaround at Suffolk University. "The plan was to try to play (Saturday vs Chicago). I was trying to play today. But after the last couple of workouts, the stuff we did, I tried to put it through as much of a test as I could … I'm not going to say it didn't respond well, but playing right now wouldn't be in my best interest for the season as far as having a setback and having to sit out again soon.

"Basically, it's day-to-day. If I get up tomorrow and can do some stuff I couldn't do today … it's also hard to tell at shootaround. Pre-game I'll be able to do a lot more stuff, break a sweat and really be able to go at it so I'll be able to know if tomorrow is a real possibility.''

Since Miles went out, coach Mike Brown has been starting hustling rookie Matthew Dellavedova. But Dellavedova played just 7:36 in Wednesday's 95-84 loss to visiting Miami, and Brown indicated he could change his lineup again, possibly turning to rookie Sergey Karasev. Karasev played almost 19 minutes against Miami, though he scored just three points.

"I thought Sergey played well on both ends of the floor, so really Sergey ate up the rest of the minutes,'' Brown said. "Even though he looks more comfortable, it’s a long season ... so it’s a different challenge coming at him every night.''

Karasev would become the second rookie to start this season before No. 1 draft choice Anthony Bennett. Coming into the season, it looked as if Karasev and Dellavedova were likely candidates to play with the D-League team in Canton. Now they're key contributors.

"They’re pretty good players, and they’ve shown it throughout the course of training camp and even when we’ve thrown them in the game they’ve shown flashes of what they can do,'' Brown said. "It doesn’t surprise me, but, again, I know that hopefully sooner than later you get to a rotation you feel pretty comfortable with.

"But until we get to a point where we’re winning games and I think we’re competitive and the feel is right, then I’m going to keep searching. The one thing I feel comfortable with is our second unit has a pretty good little flow and they’re starting to have an identity on both ends of the floor. So I don’t want to mess with that.''

PROBABLE STARTERS: Cavs -- F Tristan Thompson, F Alonzo Gee, C Andrew Bynum, G Matthew Dellavedova or Sergey Karasev, G Kyrie Irving. Celtics -- F Jeff Green, F Brandon Bass, C Jared Sullinger, G Avery Bradley, G Jordan Crawford.

INJURIES: Cavs -- C.J. Miles (strained right calf) doubtful. Celtics -- Rajon Rondo (torn right ACL), Kelly Olynyk (sprained right ankle) out. Keith Bogans was ill and missed the last game.

OFFICIALS: Bill Kennedy, Mark Lindsay, James Williams

NEXT FOR CAVS: Vs. Chicago Saturday night at The Q

A resolution by the governor's office declared it "Scarlet Letter Saturday" for residents of Ohio.

CAPITAL OF THE STATE, Ohio – Let’s see if this can be done. Ohio Gov. John Kasich told everyone not to use a certain letter of the alphabet in a resolution released Friday by his office.

“Whereas, there are 26 letters in the English alphabet,” it began, before concluding with Kasich’s recognition of Saturday as “Scarlet Letter Saturday” throughout Ohio, with everyone in the state encouraged to avoid using that letter whenever possible.

The reason? The Contest, The Tilt, The ... Thing between Ohio State and that other school.

This resolution coincides with what already took place around the Ohio State university area, where signs near the football building and on other school property had that letter crossed out this week. Crossing it out is one thing. Avoiding it to a full extent is another.

But the rivalry, to lots of people, is that intense. Ohio State’s football leader, Coach Urban, previously discouraged the wearing of the color blue within the football building, to a nearly outrageous extent. Blue ink? Out. He has also forbidden uttering the given label of the opposing school, though the coach slipped this week and spoke the brand without realizing it.

That prohibition can be difficult for players to recall, but banning the use of a single letter is actually not that big of a deal. In fact, a skilled writer could put together an entire article about a storied football clash without ever getting close to using the letter that the governor talked about.

It’s not as difficult as it could seem.

(Da … rn it)

Cleveland Browns CEO Joe Banner says that, despite many Cleveland officials' deeply entrenched belief that the city got a bad deal in its lease with the Browns for FirstEnergy Stadium 15 years ago, the agreement actually favors the city more than most leases for similar, publicly-owned stadiums. Here's a look at three of those stadium leases.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Underlying Cleveland City Council’s contentious vote this week to approve a contribution toward a slate of costly upgrades at FirstEnergy Stadium was the assumption among council members that the city generally got a raw deal when it signed the lease agreement with the Cleveland Browns 15 years ago.

Council members complained before the vote Monday that the lease affords the Browns a sense of entitlement in its dealings with the cash-strapped city.

The team didn’t share a penny with Cleveland when it sold the stadium’s naming rights for about $100 million earlier this year. And now the team is hitting up the city for $2 million for each of the next 15 years toward enormous scoreboards, faster escalators and a state of the art sound system, council members grumbled.

But Browns CEO Joe Banner tried to put an end to the griping, interjecting that Cleveland doesn’t realize how good the city has it compared to other governments with NFL stadium leases. In some markets, Banner said, the teams pay nothing toward stadium maintenance, enjoy carte blanche on publicly-funded luxury improvements and get to keep all parking revenue – not the case in Cleveland.

Last week, cleveland.com provided you with a dissection of Cleveland's lease with the Browns. This week, we’ve followed up on Banner’s claims by taking a look at three leases for comparable facilities in Baltimore, Cincinnati and St. Louis. All are agreements forged around the same time as Cleveland’s.

M&T Bank Stadium

Owner: State of Maryland (Maryland Stadium Authority)

Team: The Baltimore Ravens

Term: 1998 to 2028

The Ravens, in one of the most lucrative stadium leases for an NFL team, get to keep almost all revenue with few expenses. Here are some of the lease highlights:

The team pays no rent.

The Ravens keep all revenue from ticket sales, concessions and advertising and can sell naming rights. The state is responsible for costs of operation, maintenance and security, and each year the parties agree upon a maintenance schedule. The team is responsible for field maintenance and game-day expenses.

The team gets to set parking rates and keep parking revenue. And if for some reason, fewer than 4,000 spaces are available on game day, the stadium authority pays the team for the loss in parking income.

The team rents its training facility for 30 years at $1 per year, but the costs of operation, maintenance and security are the team’s responsibility.

The city collects 10 percent admissions tax on tickets, 80 percent of which is dedicated to stadium operations.

The stadium authority deposits $200,000 a year into a capital improvements fund. The agency has no obligation to make improvements if the cost exceeds the amount in the fund.

But if the money is available, the stadium authority must update the scoreboards, sound system, video boards and related systems to keep the facility competitive with other NFL stadiums.

The Ravens are responsible for furnishing suites.

If, at any time, the Orioles, the city’s Major League Baseball team, arrive at a more favorable agreement with the state, then the Ravens are entitled to comparable terms.

Paul Brown Stadium

Owner: Hamilton County

Team: The Cincinnati Bengals

Term: 2000 to 2026

Hamilton County’s agreement with the Bengals for Paul Brown stadium is widely considered one of the most lopsided NFL stadium leases, with the county footing the bill for nearly all operating costs and capital improvements – including technologies that have yet to be invented, such as a “holographic replay machine.”

Here are some lease highlights:

The Bengals’ rent began at $1.7 million during the first year and decreased by $100,000 a year to $900,000 in year nine. Since 2009, the team has paid no rent.

The team keeps all stadium revenue, including ticketing, advertising and parking fees. And the team paid all game-day expenses until the final nine years of the lease, when the county began reimbursing the team for those costs. The total amount is capped at $29.4 million.

The Bengals are allowed to sell the stadium naming rights, and if they do, they keep the first $16.67 million from the sale. After that, 30 percent goes to the county and the team gets the remaining 70 percent. However, the team chose not to sell the stadium name and instead agreed to $5 million in concessions to reimburse the county for its lost share.

The county pays all real estate taxes, while imposing a 25 cent per ticket surtax.

Although the lease bans the county from instituting any other kind of tax on ticket sales, the city charges 3 percent admission tax.

The team is granted access to an area outside the stadium for use to sell concessions, novelty and, where permitted, alcohol.

All utilities, security and crowd control is the county’s responsibility.

The team can make any improvements to the stadium that it’s willing to pay for. The county is obligated to foot the bill for certain new features, such as a ticketless entry system, stadium self-cleaning machines or next generation video screens, if those features appear in 14 other NFL stadiums.

If the Bengals choose to install some of those upgrades at the team’s expense, and that technology later is spotted in other stadiums, the county must reimburse the team for its investment.

Each year, the county pays $1 million into a capital fund for improvements, which covers expenses such as heating and cooling, flooring replacement, cracked concrete repair, broken pipes, stadium seating replacement and painting. However, unlike other stadium leases that limit public contributions to how much is in the fund, Hamilton County is obligated to pay for improvements beyond the fund’s balance.

The county also is responsible for maintaining the field and must replace the artificial turf at the practice area at least every eight years.

Edward Jones Dome

Owner: City of St. Louis (Regional Convention and Visitors Commission)

Team: The St. Louis Rams

Term: 1995 to 2025

The city of St. Louis’ lease with the Rams grants that team such latitude in demanding facility upgrades that the two parties appear to have reached an impasse in negotiations -- and the team might be on the brink of leaving the Edward Jones Dome behind.

Earlier this summer, the city’s Convention and Visitors Commission, which administers the lease, rejected the St. Louis Rams’ wish list of $700 million worth of improvements, including a retractable roof.

The failure to make the improvements allows the team to break the lease next year. The agreement would default to a year-to-year term, while the team either negotiates the construction of a new stadium or shops for another venue entirely.

Here are the lease highlights:

As in the previously described leases, the Rams keep all stadium revenue. However, the city charges a 5 percent amusement tax per ticket.

The team pays $250,000 a year in rent in 12 equal monthly installments.

The city pays for all utilities, except on game day, when the team splits the phone bill. The city also pays for cleaning and trash removal and standby maintenance crews and upkeep of the playing field. And on game day, the city and team split the expenses, including ushers, ticket takers, janitorial services, security, emergency medical personnel and traffic control.

On two deadlines, in 2005 and 2015, the stadium must meet what the lease refers to as the First Tier standard – meaning, it must be ranked among the top 25 percent of all NFL stadiums.

If the stadium does not pass the test in four areas – box suites, club seats, playing field and communications systems – the Rams can convert the lease to a year-to-year agreement with annual renewal options. They may also relocate at any point.

In 2012, the two sides began trading proposals in advance of the 2015 benchmark, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The city’s plan included a glass addition, outdoor terraces and a four-sided center-hung scoreboard, at a cost of about $200 million, with the Rams contributing half.

The Rams’ proposal involved tearing down half of the Dome, extending it across a main thoroughfare and erecting a large glass wall. The team also wanted a sliding roof, two end zone “party platforms” and larger entrances. The city’s contractors estimated the plan would cost at least $700 million.

Both sides rejected the other’s competing proposal. Arbitrators ruled in February that the only way to achieve the first-tier standard would be to institute the Rams’ plan.

Leaders of the Convention and Visitors Commission immediately said it was unlikely that the state, St. Louis and St. Louis County would agree to such an expense while still paying a combined $24 million a year on bonds to build the facility, the Post-Dispatch reported.

The NFL admitted it missed the concussive blow to Jason Campbell's head by fining Steelers' cornerback William Gay $15,750.

BEREA, Ohio -- The NFL admitted today that the officials missed a costly blow to Jason Campbell's head by fining Steelers cornerback William Gay $15,750.

Campbell suffered a concussion on the hit and has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, although coach Rob Chudzinski said Friday "he's very close and getting much better.''

Gay's fine was the same one 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks received for his hit on Drew Brees Nov. 17th, and Brooks didn't even directly strike Brees in the head like Gay did to Campbell during the Steelers' 27-11 victory over the Browns last week.

Specifically, the league said Gay "unnecessarily delivered a forcible blow to (Campbell's) head and neck area.''

Campbell's head immediately snapped to the side after the hit, and he went to the ground with enough force that the back of his helmet smacked off the frozen earth. The ball also slipped out of his hands. Yet, the officials -- who almost always err on the side of the quarterback -- missed the hit and threw no flag.

Coach Rob Chudzinski argued with the refs, but was told that Campell was hit in the shoulder, not the head. The referee responsible for watching the quarterback was Terry McAuley

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner saw the smack to the face right away from up on the coach's booth.

"I thought he got hit in the facemask right from the beginning and then obviously you see the replay and it’s really easy to see from all the angles except the one that the referee had – he’s standing behind,'' said Turner. "You'd just like someone to come in and help him make that call. The way it’s being emphasized by the league, it should never be missed. And the ones that they’ve made mistakes on is where they’ve gone too far. so this one obviously they didn’t go far enough.''

Turner would be in favor of making such plays reviewable. Right now, they're not. All turnovers and scoring plays are automatically reviewed, but not possible hits to the head of a quarterback or receiver.

"Right now, if you’re talking about the emphasis they’re making on it and the way people are getting fined, it would be something I would think they would look at and consider the possibility of reviewing that,'' said Turner.

There's no question the blown call drastically changed the course of the game -- and cost the Browns a realistic shot at getting back in the game. In the end, they lost 27-3, but the game was over when the Steelers cashed in big after the non-flag.

Instead of an unnecessary roughness penalty that would've given the Browns a first and 10 at the Steelers 24, Pittsburgh's Will Allen scooped up the loose ball and ran it back 49 yards to the 4, where he was tackled by Chris Ogbonnaya. A play later, Ben Roethlisberger hit receiver Emmanuel Sanders with a 4-yard TD pass that made it 20-3 with 7:43 left in the third quarter.

Brandon Weeden was forced to take over with the Browns trailing 20-3, instead of down 13-3 and already in field goal range. Even if Weeden didn't move the Browns an inch, kicker Billy Cundiff would've attempted a 42-yard field goal, and had already made a 49-yarder in the first quarter. It was no sure thing, but Cundiff was in the midst of a 12-kick streak that included six field goals of more than 42 yards.

At worst, the score probably would've been 13-6 -- a one-possession game -- with more than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. At best, Weeden could've hit Jordan Cameron or Josh Gordon with a TD pass to make it 13-10 with a quarter and half to play.

Instead, with the Steelers up 20-3, they pinned their ears back and forced Weeden into catchup mode instead of trying to run a balanced offense.

"This is a game of inches and those plays make a world of difference when a call’s missed or you miss a play,'' said Kruger. "Anything can happen in a football game.''

Left tackle Joe Thomas would be in favor of such plays being reviewed.

"I know there's two officials that sit in the booth and are watching the game and it would be nice to have them be able to review those type of plays,'' he said. "They're turning out to be as big of a momentum swing, as big of a play in the game, as a turnover or a touchdown and those are automatic because the NFL has said those plays are so important that we need to automatically review them. But a potential 15-yard penalty or a fumble returned for almost a touchdown, that's a humongous play in the game.''

In the case of the Brooks hit on Brees, he was flagged for unnecessary roughness, and the Saints cashed in on the extra 15 yards to kick the gametying field goal. They went on to kick the game winner as time expired -- to improve to 9-2 and maintain a one-game edge over the Panthers (8-3) in the NFC South.

"Those plays are happening so quickly, especially the helmet to the head area on receivers and stuff,'' said Thomas. "It's almost impossible to tell where the receiver's getting hit because if he's getting hit in the body or the shoulder, his head is going to snap the same way and the difference between a penalty and not a penalty is so small and yet it's such a big play in the game.''

Chudzinski sent a tape of the hit and Campbell's wobbly trip to the sidelines to the league office for clarification.

He's not permitted to share the response, but now we know.

Unfortunately for the Browns, it's too little too late.

In eight position breakdowns, Ohio State gets the edge in six, Michigan in one, while one are even.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Here's a breakdown: Ohio State is 11-0 and 7-0 in the Big Ten. Michigan is 7-4 and 3-4 in the Big Ten. Any questions?

Nick Baumgardner from MLive.com and I decided to get a little more in-depth than that. First we told you why Michigan might win, and then we told you why Ohio State might win. Now we have a position by position breakdown of the Buckeyes and Wolverines, with Nick writing the Michigan breakdown, while I provided the Ohio State breakdown. Then I decided who got the edge. Nick saw it slightly differently at MLive.com.

Quarterback

Ohio State: As a junior, Braxton Miller is still figuring it out. But by standing in and delivering a pass with a rush in his face last week, Urban Meyer thought Miller made the best play of his career. “That is his best, and he knows it, I know it, (offensive coordinator) Tom Herman knows it. I'm not saying an athlete that jumps around and lands on his head, those kind of things … but his best play at college football quarterback,” Meyer said. Miller has sliced up defenses with his legs the last two weeks, averaging 164 yards per game and 11.3 yards per carry. But those throws have shown his progress overall, which includes throwing 13 touchdowns against two interceptions the last five games.

Michigan: Devin Gardner isn't the same player he was in September and October, or even at the end of last season. He's been physically beat up, taking 20 sacks over the last four games. And most of that, coupled with five lost fumbles and 11 interceptions, has taken its toll mentally. Gardner has still thrown for more than 2,500 yards, but at this point, his confidence has been shaken and the burst in his legs just isn't there.

Edge: Ohio State, big

Running backs

Ohio State: The first 1,000-yard running back in Urban Meyer’s 12 seasons as a coach, Carlos Hyde has pounded defenses for six weeks. After facing a three-game suspension, Hyde has averaged 156 yards while ripping off six straight 100-yard games, with a 8-yard average and 13 touchdowns. When games are in doubt, or need to be put away, the Buckeyes have leaned on their senior running back.

Michigan: Brady Hoke said this week, for really the first time all season, that freshman Derrick Green has passed senior Fitz Toussaint on the depth chart and will be the starter Saturday. Green hasn't done much (218 yards on 70 carries), but then again, he hasn't had much of a chance. Toussaint, meanwhile, has had a chance and he's only rushed for 613 yards on 178 carries. Not good.

Edge: Ohio State, big

Wide receivers/tight ends

Ohio State: The best thing this group has done is block, led by receiver Evan Spencer and Jeff Heuerman. Blocking on the edge and down the field has helped Miller and Hyde turn short runs into big gainers. Philly Brown and Devin Smith have improved as pass catchers from a season ago (with a combined 89 catches, 1,187 yards and 16 touchdowns), but weather has limited the passing game the last two weeks. No stars here, but throw in H-back Dontre Wilson, and there are multiple, solid options.

Michigan: Jeremy Gallon has been Michigan's most consistent playmaker. He's up to 71 catches for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns with one regular season game to go and a bowl. He'll finish with one of the all-time top individual years for a receiver in Michigan history. Devin Funchess, meanwhile, has 43 catches for 686 yards and five touchdowns. A 6-5, 235-pound tight end convert, he can be a matchup nightmare when he wants to be. However, he doesn't respond well to overly physical defensive backs.

Edge: Even

Offensive line

Ohio State: Urban Meyer has called left tackle Jack Mewhort the offense’s best player, and he’s one of four seniors on the Buckeyes’ best unit. In protecting Miller, but especially opening holes in the run game, Mewhort, Andrew Norwell, Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall have been as good as expected, and sophomore right tackle Taylor Decker is no weak link. There may not be an All-American in the group, but as a unit, no Big Ten team has been better.

Michigan: Michigan's offensive line, in short, has been a debacle. It has senior right tackle Michael Schofield and All-American left tackle Taylor Lewan -- and a bunch of young guys who haven't gotten it yet. The Wolverines have used five line combinations through 11 games, and nothing has worked. Michigan's averaged less than 35 yards per game on the ground in November, and Gardner's been sacked 20 times this month. This has, almost without question, been one of the worst seasons for a Michigan offensive line in recent memory.

Edge: Ohio State, big

Defensive line

Ohio State: The Buckeyes are tied for second in the nation with 36 sacks, and 28 have come from the defensive line, led by sophomore end Noah Spence, who has 7.5. After getting run over in the first half against Iowa, the line has played smarter and tougher, with freshman Joey Bosa looking like a star in the making while snatching a starting spot. Tackle Michael Bennett had two sacks last week, and Adolphus Washington has moved back inside after starting the season at end. It hasn’t been a perfect group, but without a senior in the mix, it has grown all season.

Michigan: This group really underperformed early in the season, but has consistently made strides as the year has worn on and turned into a pretty formidable group. Frank Clark now has five sacks and 12 1/2 tackles for loss. Jibreel Black and Chris Wormley have become solid pass rushers and redshirt freshman Willie Henry has turned into one of the team's most consistent interior linemen. The group is far from perfect, though, as it broke down late against Iowa -- and allowed the Hawkeyes to re-gain control of the game via the ground.

Edge: Ohio State, close

Linebacker

Ohio State: The Wolverines may have the second-, third- and fourth-best linebackers in this game, but Ohio State has the best one in junior Ryan Shazier, a future first-round draft pick. Shazier has said he’s faster than every running back he has played, and he looked like the way while piling up 36 tackles the last two weeks and earning consecutive Big Ten defensive player of the week honors. He leads the Big Ten, averaging nearly 10 tackles per game. Middle linebacker Curtis Grant has been solid and should return after missing the last two games with injury, while strongside linebacker Josh Perry, who should play more than usual this week, is still a work in progress.

Michigan: This has, by far, been the strongest and most consistent position group this season. James Ross and Desmond Morgan have been Michigan's top two defensive players all year, and have combined to make 150 tackles. Jake Ryan had his best game of the season last week against Iowa, getting a quarterback hurry that caused an interception return for a score. On top of that, reserves Cam Gordon, Joe Bolden and Ben Gedeon have all provided quality snaps. As a group, these guys are strong.

Edge: Michigan, close

Secondary

Ohio State: Cornerback Bradley Roby, who is turning pro after this redshirt junior season, is rounding back into form after some rough early moments. Junior corner Doran Grant will be back after sitting out the second half last week with an injury, and he has looked as good as Roby at times, as when he returned an interception for a touchdown on Purdue’s first drive. Senior safety C.J. Barnett doesn’t make many mistakes, but the Buckeyes undoubtedly still miss senior starter Christian Bryant, who broke his ankle in the Big Ten opener and has been replaced by Corey “Pitt” Brown, who is less of a playmaker.

Michigan: Michigan's defensive backfield has been opportunistic, if nothing else. Starting corners Blake Countess (5) and Raymon Taylor (4) have combined for nine of the team's 16 interceptions. Not too shabby. However, none of these guys are true man-to-man cover corners, and as a unit, the Wolverines have given up way too many big plays. Michigan ranks 80th nationally in pass defense with 236.8 yards allowed per game.

Edge: Ohio State, close

Special teams

Ohio State: Meyer loves kicker Drew Basil, and considers him a real football player, not just a kicker, but he doesn’t use him much. Basil has made eight of nine field goals, with a long of 45 yards. The Buckeyes haven’t run back a punt or a kick for a score, but return men Philly Brown and Dontre Wilson can be dangerous, and Bradley Roby is a threat to block punts. Punter Cameron Johnston’s hangtime has improved, but injuries have Meyer constantly worried about both coverage units, and Illinois ran back a punt for a touchdown two weeks ago. Receiver Devin Smith is a very good gunner, though, and has helped limit opponents to just six returns on Johnston’s 34 punts.

Michigan: Another group that has slowly improved as the season has gone on, but one that isn't exactly solid. Michigan has next to nothing in terms of its punt return game, and while Dennis Norfleet poses a small threat in the kick return game, it's just that -- small. Brendan Gibbons had a nightmare at Penn State earlier this season, but was huge at Northwestern. He's 15 of 20 on the year. Matt Wile struggled early on with his punting, but has slowly gotten better despite poor wind conditions over the past two weeks. This group isn't terrible, but it's not great either. Pretty average.

Edge: Ohio State

Predictions from Cleveland.com: Ohio State by a lot

Akron Zips get a fifth victory on the season with a home victory over Toledo.

AKRON, Ohio -- Quarterback Kyle Pohl capped the Akron Zips 2013 campaign with an impressive performance in Akron's season-ending 31-29 victory over the Toledo Rockets.

It took a game-saving breakup of a two-point conversion to seal the victory after Akron (5-7, 4-4 MAC) had a 14-point fourth-quarter lead nearly erased.

But now all eyes are looking forward to future success in 2014 for the Zips.

"We still have a ways to go,'' Akron head coach Terry Bowden said. "But today we became a team to be reckoned with in the Mid-American Conference."

Pohl (18-of-29, 259 yards, three TD passes) was not alone for Akron, which overcame 100-yard rushing efforts by Toledo's Kareem Hunt and Marc Remy plus three TD passes from Terrance Owens. They helped UT out-gain Akron, 388 yards to 344, but just fell short.

A fake punt from inside the 20 called by Akron's Austin Bailey triggered one scoring drive. "He made the choice on his own,'' Bowden said of Bailey's call. "It was probably a great call because I doubt we (coaches) would have had the guts to do it from there."

A blocked PAT from lineman Cody Grice in the fourth quarter forced UT to go for two to tie.

Then there was Pohl, who said his first touchdown, a 19-yarder to L.T. Smith that tied the game at 7 in the first quarter, was the sign that it would be a good day through the air.

"That first TD drive, everything was so smooth,'' Pohl said. "That touchdown was a busted play. Toledo covered it up, but I drug it out, and things worked for me."

It has been working that way throughout the final five weeks of the season, leaving Akron giddy about a big 2014 campaign.

Akron ended three one-win seasons by winning its last three and four of its last five with an offense that returns almost intact for next season.

The Zips took a 24-10 lead midway through the third quarter, thanks in great measure to a pair of dubious pass interference calls against the Rockets. On fourth-and-2 from the 8, Pohl found tight end John Root for the score.

The Rockets answered with a 77-yard touchdown drive with Glenville High product Owens throwing his second TD pass, 12 yards to Dwight Macon. On their next possession, the Rockets marched to Akron's 9. But Owens' third-down pass was picked off by Johnny Robinson.

"The defensive line put pressure on the quarterback to alter the throw,'' Robinson said. "I just tried to make a play on the ball."

Akron seemingly got the cushion on Pohl's 35-yard strike to Tyrell Goodman for a 31-17 edge.

But Owens answered with his third TD pass of the game, 28 yards to Bernard Reedy, to slice Akron's lead to 31-23, after the Zips' Grice blocked the PAT.

Toledo's final score came on a three-yard Remy run out of the wildcat with 59 seconds left, but the two-point pass play was broken up by Bryce Cheek to seal Akron's successful turnaround.

Wondering whether or not to start Marshawn Lynch and Brandon Marshall, or to bench Jacquizz Rodgers and Darrius Heyward-Bey? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you're looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Wondering whether or not to start Marshawn Lynch and Brandon Marshall, or to bench Jacquizz Rodgers and Darrius Heyward-Bey? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you're looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 13 of the 2013 season.

Watch 'em roll

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals at Chargers. It's all about the matchups with the up-and-down Red Rocket, so look for a stellar outing against San Diego's generous secondary. Though he's been particularly susceptible to interceptions of late, the Chargers have only picked off opposing passers six times all season. With an extra week to prepare, Dalton and A.J. Green should have their way with this porous pass defense.

Chris Johnson, RB, Titans at Colts. CJ1K got off to a great start against the Colts in Week 11, piling up most of his 86 yards and both TDs in the first quarter. Then he faded. But not as badly as Indy has since then. Johnson should excel on the indoor track and he might even treat us to a full 60 minutes of production.

Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots at Texans. Stevan Ridley keeps fumbling his way into his coach's doghouse, while Vereen's workload and production have grown steadily since his Week 11 return. Get the multi-purpose tailback in your lineup against the imploding Houston defense. If he doesn't punch in a score on the ground, Vereen is a solid bet to take a swing pass the distance.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears at Vikings. Starting your receivers against the Minnesota secondary is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel. Jeffery makes the decision easier now that he's so frequently targeted by Josh McCown. Even better, the passing game won't be disrupted by the elements.

Stevie Johnson, WR, Bills vs. Falcons. With his groin injury and the bye week behind him, Johnson is fully expected to suit up in Toronto for a tantalizing matchup with the vulnerable Atlanta secondary. Get him back in your lineup and enjoy the favorable returns.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Cam Newton, Nick Foles, Josh McCown, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer; RBs Andre Brown, Bilal Powell, Fred Jackson, Alfred Morris, Giovani Bernard, Rashard Mendenhall; WRs Josh Gordon, Michael Floyd, Harry Douglas, Riley Cooper, Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline.

Roll 'em back

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks vs. Saints. If you have a safer option this weekend, seriously consider sitting Wilson on Monday night. Though he'll have the benefit of the rowdy home crowd, he'll be hampered by a feisty Saints defense that has surrendered only 11 scoring passes all season. New Orleans also boasts a league-high 37 sacks, so Wilson's effectiveness as a runner will also be compromised. Nasty weather is a possibility as well.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos at Chiefs. Moreno took a beating on Monday night but finally has returned to the practice field, albeit in a limited capacity. Though the team is hoping he'll be ready to roll Sunday on his injured ankle, he could very well be on a snap count. Add in a tough opponent that held him to 79 rushing yards (without a score) in Week 11, and Moreno is a dicey start. Given the persistent fumbling issues of his backups, there's no telling who would benefit most from Moreno's limited workload or absence.

Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals at Eagles. With Rashard Mendenhall seemingly back to full strength, Ellington's fantasy star turn has fizzled in recent weeks. He's even been unable to take advantage of favorable matchups, like this weekend's tilt in Philly. It doesn't help that Mendenhall is Arizona's preferred goal-line horse and that Ellington apparently tweaked his knee in practice this week.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts vs. Titans. Blame Andrew Luck's funk. Blame Tennessee CB Alterraun Verner, who held Hilton to a paltry 44 receiving yards in Week 11. Blame Rio. Whatever the cause, Hilton is unlikely to break out of his two-game skid this weekend. You've been warned.

Andre Johnson, WR, Texans vs. Patriots. It's hard to sit a receiver of AJ's caliber, but it's even harder to argue with his own assessment: "We suck as an offense." Facing a surging New England defense that just clamped down impressively on Peyton Manning and his potent receiving corps, Case Keenum could be in big trouble this week. Which means Johnson could very well suck again.

More thumbs down: QBs Mike Glennon, Andrew Luck, Case Keenum; RBs Ryan Mathews, Lamar Miller, Bobby Rainey, Stevan Ridley, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Ben Tate, Mark Ingram, Steven Jackson, Benny Cunningham; WRs Steve Smith, Percy Harvin, Tavon Austin, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Stills, Cecil Shorts, Tiquan Underwood, DeAndre Hopkins, Danny Amendola, Golden Tate, Lance Moore.

TAKING A FLIER

Donald Brown, RB, Colts vs. Titans. Brown was dreadful in Week 12 against the stout Cardinals run defense, which held him to minus-1 combined yards on the day. But the going gets easier when one of the NFL's worst run defenses comes to town. Brown gashed this squad for 94 total yards and a pair of TDs two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Trent Richardson remains little more than a distraction.

DON'T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO...rushes to start the newly activated Michael Crabtree in his first game back on Sunday against the Rams. There's little doubt he'll be on a snap count in deference to his rehabbed Achilles, and it will surely take some time for the wideout and Colin Kaepernick to re-establish their mojo.

Ladd Biro was named Football Writer of the Year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for two consecutive years (2010, 2011).  Follow all his advice daily at the Fantasy Fools blog (fantasy-fools.blogspot.com), on Facebook and via Twitter (@ladd_biro). 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here is the hockey schedule for Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. Benedictine at Elyria Catholic, 7

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here is the hockey schedule for Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Benedictine at Elyria Catholic, 7

Nordonia Tournament at Gilmour (Nordonia, Garfield Heights, Midview, Parma, Twinsburg, Western Reserve Academy), TBA

Normandy Tournament (Avon, Avon Lake, Normandy, North Olmsted, Orange), TBA

Rocky River Holiday Tournament: Hudson vs. Westlake, 7 a.m.; Solon vs. Rocky River, 9:15 a.m.; Olmsted Falls vs. Mentor, 11:30 a.m.

St. Edward vs. Burnaby College at Upper Canada College, Toronto, 8

Shadyside Academy (Pa.) Invitational (University School), TBA

Sylvania Northview Thanksgiving Tournament at Tam O Shanter (Gilmour), TBA

Thanksgiving Tournament at Ries Rink (Avon, Shaker Heights), TBA

Walsh Jesuit Thanksgiving Tournament at Kent State (Bethel Park (Pa.), Padua, Saint Michael’s (Toronto), St. Ignatius, Serra Catholic (Pa.), Toledo St. John’s, Walsh Jesuit), TBA

The Cavaliers look to put the brakes on a four-game losing streak as they take on the struggling Celtics tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- The Cavaliers look to put the brakes on a four-game losing streak as they take on the struggling Celtics tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Boston, rebuilding without Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce under new coach Brad Stevens, is 6-11 (2-5 at home), coming off a 100-93 loss Wednesday to Memphis.

The Cavaliers are a team in search of answers after another lackluster performance in a loss to Miami and trade rumors circulating around guard Dion Waiters.

Get updates from Mary Schmitt Boyer in Boston @PDCavsInsider and post your comments during the game below.

• Game box score

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here is a look at football scores from all of the state semifinal games across the state for both Friday and Saturday's games, as well as next week's state final matchups. This post will be updated as games go final. The Ohio High School Athletic Association will determine all the state semifinal sites on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here is a look at football scores from all of the state semifinal games across the state for both Friday and Saturday's games, as well as next week's state final matchups. This post will be updated as games go final.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association will determine all the state semifinal sites on Sunday.

See what teams were able to move on in the OHSAA football playoffs, as well as who they will be facing in next week's action.

DIVISION I

No. 1 St. Edward vs. No. 2 Mentor on Saturday at 7 p.m.

No. 1 Hilliard Davidson vs. No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller on Saturday at 7 p.m.

DIVISION II

No. 1 Glenville vs. No. 1 Highland at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

No. 3 Zanesville vs. No. 1 Loveland at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

DIVISION III

No. 1 St. Vincent- St. Mary vs. No. 2 Columbus Marion Franklin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

No. 2 Clyde vs. No. 7 Trotwood Madison at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

DIVISION IV

No. 3 Cardinal Mooney vs. No. 8 Steubenville at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

No. 2 Kenton vs. No. 2 Clarksville Clinton-Massie at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

DIVISION V

No. 1 Manchester vs. No. 1 Columbus Bishop Hartley on Saturday at 7 p.m.

No. 5 Coldwater vs. No. 1 West Jefferson on Saturday at 7 p.m.

DIVISION VI

No. 1 Kirtland vs. No. 2 Columbus Bishop Ready at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

No. 5 Haviland Wayne Trace vs. No. 4 Mechanicsburg at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

DIVISION VII

No. 1 Berlin Center vs. No. 1 Glouster Trimble on Saturday at 7 p.m.

No. 8 Delphos St. John's vs. No. 3 Maria Stein Marion Local on Saturday at 7 p.m.

NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio - The Manchester Panthers are coming off one of the top rushing performances in Ohio high school football history, as they rushed for 616 yards in the victory against Crestview in the regional final. While Manchester had such a successful game running the ball last week, its defense will be in for a challenge as Columbus...

NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio - The Manchester Panthers are coming off one of the top rushing performances in Ohio high school football history, as they rushed for 616 yards in the victory against Crestview in the regional final.

While Manchester had such a successful game running the ball last week, its defense will be in for a challenge as Columbus Bishop Hartley running back Sam MacKowiak has rushed the ball 284 times for 1,823 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Here is a look at how the Panthers have gotten to this point in their season.

Manchester’s season, game by game

Week 1: Defeated Hillsdale, 8-6.

Week 2: Defeated Woodridge, 30-19.

Week 3: Defeated Black River, 56-13.

Week 4: Lost to Fairless, 49-48.

Week 5: Defeated Tuscarawas Valley, 48-0.

Week 6: Defeated Timken, 42-20.

Week 7: Defeated Indian Valley, 28-14.

Week 8: Defeated Tuslaw, 42-6.

Week 9: Lost to Triway, 34-14.

Week 10: Defeated CVCA, 21-20.

Playoffs

Regional quarterfinal: Defeated Youngstown Ursuline, 19-16.

Regional semifinal: Defeated Navarre Fairless, 35-7.

Regional final: Defeated Crestview 69-21.

More about Manchester

Record: 11-2.

Final cleveland.com ranking: Not ranked.

Final AP state ranking: Not ranked.

Coach: Jim France.

Top players and stats: QB Pavin Parks (190 attempts, 115 yards, 1,486 yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 interceptions); RB Mason Hayes (152 carries, 922 yards, 25 TDs); WR Bobby Bowen (42 receptions, 551 yards, 3 TDs); LB Logan Harvey (80 tackles, 9 sacks); LB John Beavers (91 tackles).

Total playoff appearances: 21.

Last playoff appearance: 2012.

How team fared in last playoff appearance: Lost in regional semifinal.

Check out these stories and get ready for the 2013 edition of The Game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0, 7-0 Big Ten) are favored by 12 1/2 points heading into Saturday's 110th edition of The Game at Michigan. They are riding a school-record 23-game winning streak. And the Wolverines (7-4, 3-4) have struggled lately, losing four of their last six games.

OSU offensive lineman Jack Mewhort grew up in Toledo and said this week that Michigan is going to bring its "A" game regardless of how they have played lately.

"That makes no difference because of the tradition and history that go into this rivalry," he said. "We're prepared to get their best shot, and they're going to get ours, too."

Cleveland.com's Ohio State coverage team has bringing its best shot this week with everything you need to get ready for Saturday's noon contest at Michigan Stadium. Don't miss our OSU-Michigan page, which has game stories for every contest in the rivalry's history.

Here's what you may have missed - and be sure to keep checking cleveland.com/osu up until kickoff for wall-to-wall coverage:

Friday

• Position by position breakdown: Where do the Buckeyes have the edge?
• Ohio State recruit Parris Campbell Jr., Michigan recruit Shaun Crawford couldn't be tighter - but must go their separate ways
• You can't spell That School Up North with out one particular letter
• Game predictions - and outtakes from our OSU crew's video screw-ups
• 5 predictions for the rest of the college football season
• What is your favorite OSU-Michigan moment?
• Bill Livingston on OSU LB Ryan Shazier: He's a throwback-type player
• Urban Meyer went all-in on Ezekiel Elliott in 2013 class, and now Ohio State faces turned-away prospect Derrick Green at Michigan
• Check out the all-time Big Ten standings and yearly records
• Ohio State vs. Michigan predictions, and outtakes from our video screwups 
• Ohio State opens as 14-point favorites vs. Michigan and spread is widening
• Offensive records drop like flies, but Buckeyes far from satisfied

Thursday

• Key players for OSU on Saturday? Bennett, Shazier, Miller


• OSU defensive line looking to do damage against young Michigan O-line


• 3 reasons OSU wins, 3 reasons Michigan loses. . .


• . . . And 3 reasons Michigan can win, 3 reasons OSU loses


• 5 thoughts on 'throwing the records out'


• Brady Hoke is not Rich Rodriguez, and why that's good for UM


• OSU recruit Dante Booker's dad played at Auburn, and Booker wants to beat the SEC


• All-time scores in The Game


• How a knee injury helped St. Ignatius product Jake Ryan become a leader for the Wolverines


• Jeff Heuerman's gloves; and LeBron's love for Ohio State

Wednesday

• Michigan AD Dave Brandon stands behind Brady Hoke with lots of words


• Injured OSU safety Christian Bryant did not treat a UM jersey well


• Heavily favored 1969 Buckeyes still haunted by loss to Wolverines


• The 2013 Buckeyes are the highest-scoring in school history


• A look at Ohio players on Michigan's roster, and vice-versa


• An Urban Meyer critic with kind words?


• QB confidence gives Buckeyes edge over Wolverines
• A Cinesport breakdown of the matchup
  
• Coaches with the most wins in the rivalry, starting with Woody Hayes
  


• A look at other sites and what's being written about The Game

Tuesday

• OSU invades a hotbed of Michigan recruiting: Detroit's Cass Tech
• OSU has made 11 trips into The Game undefeated, won only 3
• 5 thoughts on Braxton Miller's best play ever
• Will OSU overlook Michigan for Michigan State?
• 25 years ago, Westlake's John Kolesar turned a UM loss into a win
• The longest win streaks in OSU history
• Michigan commitment Jabrill Peppers says he will make visits
• Lots of kind words on the Big Ten coaches' teleconference
• What an obscene banner taught Urban Meyer about The Game

Monday

• This year's Mirror Lake swim at Ohio State was a bit different
• Michigan is what it is: A flawed team
• Florida State has the easiest path to an unbeaten regular season
• Former Buckeye Andrew Moses loves the blocking by OSU receivers
• Buckeye LB Ryan Shazier a finalist for the Butkus Award
• Quick hits from Urban Meyer's press conference
• Urban Meyer: Third all-time in winning percentage
• A look back at the 1950 Snow Bowl
• How OSU turned it around after a new low at Michigan in 2011
• Heisman watch: Will Braxton Miller make it to New York?
• Will OSU have Doran Grant, Curtis Grant healthy enough to play?

Browns' 28-year-old center exhibits balance on and off the field.

BEREA, Ohio – The bass line thumps inside the Browns' fieldhouse and Alex Mack is stomach down on the turf, slowly arching his back.

As teammates whisk past en route to their next exercise, the center holds the pose, muscles in his back firing, like a man following the direction of a yoga instructor only he can hear.

Prior to each practice, players go back and forth across the field’s width, loosening limbs and strengthening cores. Mack’s routine resembles performance art. Bent on one knee, he thrusts his arms to the left of his head and draws them above his 6-foot-4, 311-pound frame. He stretches muscles the way politicians do the truth.

“I definitely take more time as you can tell,” Mack said laughing. “I think I’m better at it, I’m more flexible. That sounds bad, but I’m just a pretty flexible person. Some people are stiff, some people are loose. I’m a pretty loose person.”

In five seasons, Mack has become one of the NFL’s better and more durable centers, never missing a snap in his first 75 games. He’s also evolved into somewhat of a renaissance man, an erudite athlete who travels the world with varied interests.

His exercise routine serves as a metaphor for his approach to life: He is someone willing to stretch himself to the limit on and away from the field.

“Alex is one of the most unique players I’ve ever been around,” former Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said. “He’s got such great balance in his life.

“A lot of times we glorify players who eat, sleep and breathe football, and that’s great. But Alex is one of those guys who’s very well read, he’ll think nothing of just taking off and flying to Thailand in the off-season. But when he shows up to work nobody practices harder or plays harder. He finishes to the whistle and beyond.”

His flexibility and that of the organization’s will be tested at season’s end. Despite the overall struggles of the offensive line, Mack is enjoying another strong campaign in a contract year. He has stuck to his policy of not publicly discussing negotiations, offering no updates Wednesday. But when asked to measure his game against some of the league’s top centers, he didn’t hesitate to answer.

“I like to watch film on other guys who are good players and see what they do against other opponents,” he said. “I’m right there, without a doubt. I’m not big on tooting my own horn, but I think I’m right there.”

Balancing act

The youngest child of Steve and Cheryl Mack grew up in Santa Barbara, Calif., as a self-starter. There were always expectations for the family’s only son, but Mack didn’t require a nudge or a push.

In an age of specialization, he played football, wrestled and competed in track and field. He learned the value of stretching as he molded himself into one California’s top heavyweight wrestlers.

“I think it, without a doubt, helps you resist injuries,” Mack said. “When someone flies in there and hits and you have to bend backwards ... if you’re used to bending backwards things probably aren’t going to snap, crackle, pop or tear.”

View full sizeBrowns center Alex Mack has gained a reputation for going all out on the field, even playing through an appendicitis attack in 2011.John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

At San Marcos High, he played football for a position coach, Dennis Kittle, who threatened to cut off the fingers of any offensive lineman caught holding. It was here where Mack grasped the importance of maximum effort, ending every practice by running up a hill 10 times at full speed.

“I don’t think he would have actually cut my fingers off, but he used to clean his fingernails with a pocket knife,” Mack said.

At the University of California, he was as passionate about his education as his football, graduating with a degree in legal studies and winning the Draddy Trophy, awarded to college football’s top scholar-athlete. He remains a voracious reader of historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. He most recently finished Hugh Laurie’s “The Gun Seller,” a spoof on the spy genre.

“If I find something I like I work at it,” Mack said. “Football was definitely of high importance, really high importance, but school was also something that was important to me -- getting good grades going to class every day.

“There was a balancing act between the two and you learned where you could cut corners and where you couldn’t.”

Mack is forever expanding his horizons. In March, he took part in an NFL Hollywood Boot Camp, in which he learned the art of film making at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

He has a deep appreciation for the military and was honored to lead the Browns onto the field for the Nov. 3 game against Baltimore carrying the American flag alongside a serviceman. In 2011, Mack visited U.S. troops based in Southeast Asia as part the NFL-USO program.

His curiosity with foreign cultures is without borders. He could compare passports with diplomats having made trips to Australia, Bali, England, Greece, Italy, Japan, Spain Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.

“Alex is one of these people who could walk into a bar where he’s never been and strike up a conversation with the bartender and the guy sitting on a stool next to him,” Fujita said. “Not a lot of people can do that.”

Another mosque in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/qtpfkZt2

— Alex Mack (@alexmack55) February 17, 2012

Brains, brawn

Teammates rave about Mack’s intelligence, but Fujita said his athleticism is highly underrated. During the 2011 NFL lockout, Browns players assembled in Texas for workouts. Fujita said Mack’s fitness level was tops on the team.

“We designed this conditioning test and he did it in the time defensive backs would do it,” Fujita recalled. “Alex just blew it out the water. It was shocking.”

View full sizeFormer Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, left, with Alex Mack and Joe Thomas, calls the Browns center the smartest player he's ever called a teammate. Scott Fujita archives

Mack exhibited his toughness during that season by playing through an appendicitis attack. A year ago, Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata, an All-Pro, called him the best center in the AFC North, a division that includes Pittsburgh stalwart Maurkice Pouncey.

“He’s real physical and real smart,” Ngata said of Mack, who reached the 2010 Pro Bowl as an alternate.

ProFootballFocus.com ranks him as the league’s third-best center behind Houston’s Chris Myers and Denver’s Manuel Ramirez. Mack’s list of personal favorites includes: Ryan Kalil (Carolina), Max Unger (Seattle), Eric Wood (Buffalo) and Nick Mangold (New York Jets).

What he craves more than individual accolades is team success, something that’s eluded Mack since the Browns made him the No. 21 overall pick in 2009.

“It’s frustrating,” he said. “You do what you can, keep at it and do what’s expected . . . I want to show the best I can no matter what the scenario. I just want to keep improving and keep refining my game.”

Uncertain future

In training camp, Mack said he's "really happy" with the Browns and loves playing for offensive line coach George Warhop. Around the same time, Browns General Manager Michael Lombardi said the 28 year old fits the profile of a player the organization hopes to re-sign.

But there’s virtually been no news about a possible contract extension for Mack, who’s represented by agent Marvin Demoff. It's unlikely the Browns would use the franchise tag on the center because they would have to pay him the average of the NFL’s top-five offensive linemen.

Even as he praised his play, coach Rob Chudzinski would not get drawn into talk about whether he’d push management to yoke Mack to a long-term deal. Free agency opens March 11.

Former Pro Bowl offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley said the Browns could find a younger, cheaper replacement in the draft or free agency, but he would not match Mack’s quality. The Cleveland native considers the incumbent a top-10 center “hands down” and arguably in the top-five category.

“He has been everything he’s been asked to be as a first-round pick,” said Bentley, who runs an offensive line performance training facility in Arizona. “Alex has lived up to the billing and played at a high level from a consistency and durability standpoint.

“He has been a tremendous asset to the Cleveland Browns brand, which is important when you talk about paying football players a lot of money on their second deal. You have to look at how a player will respond once his bank account explodes. Alex Mack is going to be the same player, the same person. He’s always going to represent the Browns well just like (left tackle) Joe Thomas.”

As the Browns try to salvage a once-promising season, Mack will continue to pile up the snaps while the league waits to see who gives him a pay hike from his $3.7 million base salary.

In the prime of his career, Mack has blossomed into one of the Browns’ most reliable players – a statement most would agree is no stretch.

Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton says he's a man-in-the-mirror guys and doesn't want his guys criticizing the offense unless they're perfect.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton made it clear Friday that he doesn't want T.J. Ward or anyone else on his defense criticizing the offense.

He was referring to Ward's post-Steelers rant in which he said the Browns lost because they turned the ball over too much, four times to be exact.

"Oh, I didn't know he was on the offense,'' Horton said with a chuckle. "I thought he was a defensive player.''

In all seriousness, though, Horton wants his men to take care of their own business and not worry about the offensive issues, which include eight turnovers in the past two games.

"These guys are paid professionals and they all have their opinions, but I’m more of a man-in-the-mirror type guy, make sure my house is clean before I say something about somebody else,'' said Horton. "I know T.J. is having, in some people’s eyes, a good year, but until you can play that kind of perfect All-Star, All-Pro year, just take care of your own self because it is hard enough in this league for me, I know, to call a game, let alone say how good I am.

"I think that’s obviously for the press and your players to talk about. From a player’s standpoint, I think you know when you win, deflect credit to your teammates, and when you lose, probably take a little bit of responsibility on yourself. I think those are the classy kinds of comments, but I don’t set policy on what a player can say or cannot say.”

Horton was glad that Ward began his remarks by saying that the defense needs to create more turnovers -- but wishes he would've left it at that.

"I have to tell him the reference point that when you say ‘but,’ everything you’ve just said is negated,'' he said. "Some of it is obviously frustration, but I keep going back to this business, it’s really what have you done last week or this week is really all that matters. All we have been preaching here is to do your job as well as you can, meaning defensively just do your part to help us win the game.

"When you’re not going the way you want to, sometimes frustration does come in. Our thing is: are we playing as good as we can? I keep saying we haven’t yet. We can play better on defense. The turnovers are a part of that. New England last week, I believe, was down 24-0 and came back and won. Turnovers were a part of that. T.J. is one of our leaders. It’s a bigger responsibility and accountability to be a leader in good times and in bad.”

Horton agreed with Ward's initial assessment that the 4-7 Browns needs more takeaways. Despite great rankings in a number of categories including total defense (No. 4 overall) they're tied for the fourth-fewest takeaways in the NFL.

"We need to get more turnovers and help our offense,'' he said. "We had, I think, two versus Cincinnati and none versus Pittsburgh. That was definitely one of our points of emphasis this week was turnovers. They help whichever team win games. The one statistic year in and year out that helps a team get to the playoffs is turnover ratio. That involves the offense, the defense and the special teams; you are a part of it. Right now, I assume Kansas City – I don’t know– is leading the league; either way, they or New England, and they both will probably make the playoffs.”

Horton said he doesn't believe there's a natural divide when one side of the ball is struggling.

"When you can say, ‘I’m doing everything exactly right. I’m never the reason why,’ then I think that you can probably say something,''' he said. ". ...Do your job.”

 Talkin' Turkey: Horton predicted his defense would be humming by Thanksgiving, and he cited the statistical improvements his fourth-ranked unit has made.

“All we can go by is would I like more wins? Yes,'' he said. "(But) where are we at as a defense? We are the No. 4 defense in the league. We are probably No. 6 in pass (defense) and No. 8 in rush (defense). We’re six sacks away from the lead in sacks. We’re No. 1 in yards per play. We are No. 1 in pass yards per play. We’re No. 1 in rush yards per play. Everything that we want to do statistically is there. Would we like more wins? Yes, but to get where you want to be, you’ve got to be able to be a good rush defense, a good pass defense, a good sack defense, and the numbers say that we are.

"Since the second half of the Kansas City game, we are the No. 1 team in third-down defense. We’d probably be 14th in Red-Zone defense since that halfway point of Kansas City, probably when I said something. So statistically, wins are the most important thing and that’s what we’re trying to do, but the foundation of winning is those numbers that I gave you.”

Turner on Tanney: Turner has spent the week preparing former Cowboys practice squad quarterback Alex Tanney to step in against the Jaguars if Brandon Weeden goes down. “It’s been interesting,'' said Turner. "This doesn’t happen to you very often. I can say I’ve had it happen a couple of times in the last 20 years, but he’s sharp; he’s eager; he’s got a nice arm. The biggest thing for me with young guys is they have to player faster. He needs to learn how to play quicker and faster, but most young guys are that way. We’re doing everything we can to get him ready. If he has to play, he’ll be ready to go.”

 Chud on Campbell: Quarterback Jason Campell has been ruled out of the Jacksonville game with his concussion, but coach Rob Chuzinski indicated he'll play again this season.

“He’s very close and getting much better,'' Chudzinski said.

As far as Campbell's bruised ribs are concerned, Chudzinski said they're not broken and that he didn't significantly re-injure them against the “Not to an extent that was anything noteworthy.”

Other injuries: Linebacker Tank Carder (shoulder) is out and linebacker Craig Robertson (knee) is doubtful. Rookie Darius Eubanks is set to start at inside 'backer next to D'Qwell Jackson; Tight end MarQueis Gray (hamstring) and defensive end Armonty Bryant (back) are limited. Offensive lineman Martin Wallace sat out today with an illness.

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown and Celtics coach Brad Stevens share an interest in the Butler Bulldogs.

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- Cavaliers coach Mike Brown and Celtics coach Brad Stevens will be on opposite sides tonight in TD Garden, but for a while on Friday afternoon, they were rooting for the same team -- the Butler Bulldogs.

Brown's son Elijah is a freshman on the Butler team and was recruited by Stevens, who was the coach there before taking over the Celtics this summer.

Unfortunately for all concerned, Elijah Brown had 15 points in 18 minutes but Butler lost to Oklahoma State, 69-67, in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando.

Mike Brown said Stevens couldn't have handled the situation any better than he did when he left Butler.

"Brad is such a class guy,'' the Cavs coach said. "When he did leave, I don’t know how you can handle it any better. Elijah has been through a lot of that type of stuff. Elijah is going to get mad at me for telling it this way, but it was so cute. He called me and said, ‘Dad, my knees buckled and I thought I was going to faint. But Dad, I locked my knees and I stood strong.’ I said, ‘Good job, buddy.’ We talked it through and he understood. It took him a little bit to process it and at first it didn’t seem real because Brad is a likeable guy. That was one of the major reasons Elijah chose to go there, but there were other things that makes Butler attractive, too. It was tough, but it was something we were able to get through because Brad made it as easy as possible on some guys.''

Said Stevens, "I tried to be as candid as a possibly could, as I was with most everybody. Certainly I didn't know if I would ever leave, but I said it would have to be an extremely unique situation and when I called and told him that he was great to me. Elijah has done really well in his freshman year. He's in a great place. I've said this. He's in the best program in the country. I know Mike and I both had an eye on that game a little bit today.''

Mike Brown actually thought Stevens might take the UCLA job last summer -- and Stevens thought Brown might take it and take Elijah with him.

"Next thing I know I get a call from Brad and he says, ‘Am I losing a recruit?’'' Brown said, laughing. "I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ He says, ‘Is his dad going to UCLA and taking him with you?’ I said, ‘I thought you were going to UCLA!’ He said, ‘No I thought you were going to UCLA!’ We were both like, 'Whew.'''

New experience: Cavs center Andrew Bynum admitted he wasn't used to losing like this coming from the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was asked how losing affects attitude.

"It can make you more selfish,'' he said before last night's game. "Just go out and get points and rebounds and not care about your teammates. It’s easy to fall into that trap but I think we’re trying to do as good a job as we can moving the ball. We see it in the film room, move the ball and move the bodies and we’re doing pretty good.''

As one of the veterans on the team, he was asked if he spoke about that to his teammates.

"I’m always more of a leader by example,'' he said. "I have to pick up my own play before I harp on anybody else’s.''

Miles still out: C.J. Miles is annoyed.

"Can't catch a break, right?'' he said, forcing a small smile. "It's annoying. I don't know what else to say.''

Miles was the Cavaliers starting shooting guard for two games -- and two minutes. When Dion Waiters missed two games earlier this month with an illness, Miles stepped in. He started a third -- against Washington at The Q on Nov. 20 -- but left with a strained right calf that has sidelined him ever since. Miles was hoping to return for tonight's game against the Celtics in TD Garden, but that didn't happen.

"I'm as close as I can be,'' after Friday's shootaround at Suffolk University. "The plan was to try to play tomorrow. I was trying to play today. But after the last couple of workouts, the stuff we did, I tried to put it through as much of a test as I could … I'm not going to say it didn't respond well, but playing right now wouldn't be in my best interest for the season as far as having a setback and having to sit out again soon.

"Basically, it's day to day. If I get up tomorrow and can do some stuff I couldn't do today … it's also hard to tell at shoot around. Pre-game I'll be able to do a lot more stuff, break a sweat and really be able to go at it so I'll be able to know if tomorrow is a real possibility.''

Cavaliers vs. Bulls

Time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at The Q.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Ohio, WTAM AM/1100.

Notable: Second meeting of the season. Cavs lost the first game, 96-81, on Nov. 11 in Chicago, but that was before Derrick Rose was lost for the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee. … Cavs have lost six straight to the Bulls in Cleveland. Jimmy Butler also is out for the Bulls with turf toe. … Cavs will be playing the second day of a back-to-back but the Bulls had Friday night off. They have not played since Wednesday's 99-79 victory at Detroit.

It's state semifinal time in the OHSAA football playoffs and cleveland.com has it all covered. We'll have live updates from semifinal action across Northeast Ohio. Our Week 4 coverage of the playoffs kicks off Friday night with our live broadcast of Glenville vs. Medina Highland in a Division II state semifinal.

It's state semifinal time in the OHSAA football playoffs and cleveland.com has it all covered. We'll have live updates from semifinal action across Northeast Ohio.

Our Week 4 coverage of the playoffs kicks off Friday night with our live broadcast of Glenville vs. Medina Highland in a Division II state semifinal.

You can listen live in the player below. You can also get Twitter updates in the box below and tweet your own updates using #NEOvarsity.

Be sure to listen to our live coverage tomorrow night of St. Edward vs. Mentor.

Complete state semifinal scoreboard | Playoff brackets

Tweets about "#NEOvarsity"

Ohio State eked out a 42-41 win at Michigan Stadium to maintain an unblemished record and to preserve BCS Championship Game aspirations. Tyvis Powell picked off a Devin Gardner pass on a two-point conversion with 32 seconds remaining as the Buckeyes thwarted the upset. Watch video

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Boom. There it was.

Tyvis Powell couldn't believe it. Sometimes the most unexpected events are the ones everyone expects to happen.

Of course, few anticipated Michigan would come within a successful two-point conversion of an upset win against No. 3 Ohio State. The Buckeyes' defense, however, was ready for the Wolverines' attempt at a knockout.

In a game that packed more punch than many envisioned, a spectacle that showcased the perennial distaste between two rivals, a gut-wrenching production filled with swings of emotion and dripping with unscripted drama, Ohio State escaped. It survived. It advanced, its 12-0 record, its program-record win streak -- now at 24 games -- and its contention for a ticket to the BCS Championship Game intact.

It was a unanimous decision, but -- for 59 minutes and 28 seconds -- a highly contested one. There was no TKO, despite the hooks landed amid a second-quarter skirmish that resulted in three ejections and no love lost between schools that have played 110 times since 1897.

Ohio State eked out a 42-41 win at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, a victory preserved in the waning moments by Powell's pick of a Devin Gardner pass.

"He threw the ball," Powell said, "I ran out, listened to coach [Kerry] Coombs and boom, there it was."

Gardner connected with receiver Devin Funchess for a two-yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining and coach Brady Hoke opted to stow his special teams on the sideline.

"I would have done the same thing," said Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. "You go win the game there. No question. Both offenses were kind of in unstoppable mode."

Meyer called a timeout to provide his defense a brief reprieve. As Powell prepared to return to the line of scrimmage, Coombs shouted some final advice in his direction. He told the Bedford, Ohio, native to watch for a receiver to motion to the right and form a set of three targets before running an angle route.

Powell recognized the play from his film study and from practice. So he swapped assignments with linebacker Josh Perry, who pressured the quarterback. Gardner dropped back and swiftly fired the football into Powell's grasp.

"I was thinking to myself, 'Coach Coombs is a genius,'" Powell said.

Carlos Hyde set an Ohio State record with 226 rushing yards against Michigan, the highest total any Buckeyes back has amassed against the school's chief foe. He continues to forward all credit on to Ohio State's offensive line, which was missing right guard Marcus Hall for the final two and a half quarters.

The senior and freshman Dontre Wilson were tossed for their involvement in a heated tussle that included a series of jabs and, likely, unkind words. Hall kicked the team bench and flared his middle fingers to the crowd en route to the locker room.

"We shouldn't be out there doing that," Hyde said. "We haven't done that all year. Even though this is a big rivalry game, that's not our game. We had to refocus and get back to doing what we do best."

Running the ball seems to be Ohio State's calling card. Braxton Miller celebrated his 21st birthday with 153 yards on the ground and five total touchdowns. The two have both gained 100 or more yards on the ground in each of the last three games.

Ohio State's defense, though, struggled to contain Michigan's passing attack. Gardner totaled 451 yards and four touchdowns through the air.

 He misfired on the affair's most critical pass, however.

"They didn't want to go to overtime," Hyde said. "They knew what would've happened, so they tried to go for two and that didn't work out."

Powell, who after the game spoke with a smile and unrelenting giggle, dropped to the ground and tucked what he called "the most prized possession."

"All week," Powell said, "C.J. Barnett was the one talking about, 'Yeah, I'm going to make a play. I'm going to be on the HBO series.' To go out there and make that play, after the game I was joking around with him, like, 'Yeah, I'm going to be on the HBO series.'"

Powell was referencing a documentary on the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, one that involves numerous examples of the schools foiling each others' national title hopes.

The Buckeyes avoided such fate on Saturday. Now what?

Meyer said the team had already chatted about Michigan State within minutes of Saturday's final whistle. The Buckeyes and Spartans will clash in Indianapolis next weekend with the Big Ten title on the line.

Ohio State players shied away from admitting a sense of relief about a one-point win, no matter how the public and voters perceive the narrow victory. Meyer said he's more proud of two straight wins against Michigan than 24 straight wins overall.

This one required some wishing and hoping. Miller said he prayed before Michigan's two-point conversion attempt. Quarterback Kenny Guiton said to Powell: "You prayed, like, 80 times."

"That was an instant classic," Meyer said.

Boom. That, it was.

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown figures he has nothing to lose trying No. 1 draft pick Anthony Bennett at small forward.

It has been a rough start for Cavs first-overall pick Anthony Bennett.AP Photo/Tony Dejak

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- From the moment they drafted Anthony Bennett with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Cavaliers insisted he was a power forward.

Even though he seemed undersized for that position and even though small forward was the Cavs biggest need, they said time after time that he would play only power forward.

That changed on Friday night in Boston. With Bennett and the Cavs struggling, coach Mike Brown figured he had nothing to lose by using the rookie at small forward.

"When we drafted him, we knew he was an intelligent player who had a lot of skill set,'' Brown said. "We felt that to try to simplify it for him being so young and being No. 1 pick in the draft and having unseen, unspoken pressures that we’d try to keep him just at the [power forward] to help him out and help the transition coming to the league. As time has gone on, Earl [Clark] has played well for us as a backup [power forward] so we have to continue trying to find minutes for AB. That’s one way we can do it. We’ll continue taking a look at certain things.''

Bennett finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 fouls and 3 turnovers in 19:40. He made 1 of 4 shots -- a 3-pointer. Going into Saturday's game against Chicago, he is shooting 21.7 percent (10 of 47) and 17.6 percent from 3-point range (3 of 17). One of every three shots he takes is a 3-pointer.

Brown said he had some ups and downs as a small forward, and Bennett said he was fine with the switch. Brown first mentioned it to him on Thanksgiving.

"It's just basketball,'' Bennett said. "You've just to to learn a new position. First time playing the 3. I've just got to get used to it, put in a lot of reps in at practice….It's going to come along.''

Starting over: Fellow rookie Sergey Karasev made his first start at Boston, and it didn't work out exactly as he'd hoped as the Celtics jumped off to a 16-2 start. He finished with 1 point after taking just one shot. He also had 3 fouls, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 turnover in 15:12.

"Maybe a little bit was nerves,'' Karasev admitted before Saturday's game against Chicago. "I was trying to play off teammates. I create sometimes….I think today we watched film so I hope today is going to be way better. We must win the game. We can't lose so much. We must do something.

"We have a young team and we need a little time to build a team. I think every game we're getting better and better.''

The last word: From Brown, on his eighth different starting lineup in 17 games, "Where we’re sitting record-wise. I think I have the right to change my starting lineup every game if I feel the need.''

He won;t win the Heisman Trophy because of ealrys eason injuries. But the Ohio State quarterback, after another perfect regular season by the Buckeyes, gave it a run.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Old 98 was out there again in the Big House, running and throwing  for Michigan. It was quarterback Devin Gardner  wearing the number that Tom Harmon wore when he won  the Heisman Trophy here in 1940. This season, it (the number, not the trophy) was unretired  for Gardner.

Fittingly, in a game  played before a roaring and then  stunned  crowd of 113, 511 fans, a game which  ended in the last mellow light of a glorious autumn afternoon, Saturday’s Michigan-Ohio State game was about memories -- old ones in new guises  for Michigan and a full-fledged, revivified one  of Gardner's  counterpart,  Braxton Miller, for Ohio State.

As he has been down the season's stretch,  he was the Miller of the zig-zagging runs and open-field magic before a knee injury cost him two full games this season and all but eight snaps of another, making him a Heisman afterthought for much of OSU’s second straight 12-0  season.

The best place for the ball was anywhere except in Gardner’s hands from Ohio State’s viewpoint. So it didn’t matter on the read option whether the ball stayed tucked against Carlos Hyde’s belly (all but once, that is, when he coughed up a critical fumble) or stayed in the hands of quarterback Braxton Miller (although it was best if he too tucked it in and took off since he threw an interception.)

Gardner was so good for the heavy underWolves, except for a controversial fumble and then an interception of the potential game-winning two-pointer in the last half-minute of Ohio State’s 42-41 victory, that you wondered who the imposter playing quarterback during a bungling 7-5 season had been. He ran for one touchdown and passed for four.

Miller, however, matched him, score for score, throwing for two touchdowns and running for three. Miller has so many weapons that he can do things like rush for 153 yards on a higher average than Hyde with 226 ( 9.6 yards to 8.4) and post a better quarterback rating in The Game than Gardner ( 92.7 to 85.7), yet still leave everyone wanting more.

Gardner threw for 451 yards and Miller for only 133, but that is the difference between what each team wanted to exploit.

For his part, Miller didn’t do anything unexpected. For three seasons, we have seen his acceleration, cutbacks, change of pace and general ability to make would-be tacklers, such as Michigan cornerback Courtney Avery lurch in the wrong direction, one ankle in the other’s way, with an ineffectual arm pawing at the air. The ankle tangle was on display on Miller’s 53-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Although Miller clearly wanted to throw the ball, waving to signal a potential receiver to go deeper, he was off again on a 21-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, scoring when two Michigan pursuers, defensive end Frank Clark and defensive tackle Willie Henry,  closed on him and knocked each other out of the play.

Yeah, but in passing he couldn’t hit Chuck Wepner, say the critics.

Only six for 15 in the air, Miller’s two touchdown passes came on a 22-yarder to his wide-open tight end Jeff Heuerman for the two-touchdown advantage the Buckeyes carried into the last quarter and on a 53-yarder into the wind that Devin Smith ran down for the first  score.

In a way, it banished the memory of Miller’s final-minutes overthrow of a wide-open DeVier Posey in a 40-34 loss in the 2011 game. It was the only time Michigan won since 2003.

“When he threw it, I thought he overthrew it,” said Smith. “Then it seemed like it was underthrown. But he threw it where only I could get it. “

Arms extended, Smith caught it inside the 10, stumbled, then went tumbling into the end zone. “I was going to do a front flip into the end zone until I stumbled,” he said.

In the big picture, Miller has stats that rank in passing with Alabama’s A.J. McCarron, who -- depending on the effectiveness of the Four Corners stall Florida State is running with Jameis Winston and his criminal investigation -- might win the Heisman as a lifetime achievement award. McCarron’s 99-yard touchdown pass against Auburn Saturday, however, might not offset the unbelievable last-play circumstances of the Crimson Tide's loss.

Besides, there is the rushing game. Miller has now run for 891 yards, while McCarron entered the Iron Bowl game against Auburn with five (5). Sacks count against rushing yardage in college football, which is dumb, given the intent of the play. The game might be afoot, but not for A.J. McCarron

After all the emotion and thrills, all that was left was left to award a place for this one amid all the other pulsating Games.

Ohio State won the 2006 game, 42-39, played one day after the death of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 and the Wolverines No. 2. But both teams went ka-pow in bowl season, the Buckeyes in a thrashing by Meyer’s Florida Gators in the national championship game. The Buckeyes held a two-possession lead for most of the game, too.

The 2002 game is another viable contender for best ever. With hopes for the national championship Ohio State won under Jim Tressel on the line, came down to Will Allen’s interception on the sill of the OSU goal on the last play, on a frozen day when the dynamic was entirely different and the score was only 14-9.

In Saturday’s edition, Ohio State trailed and got even, trailed and got even, throughout a first half Michigan seemed to dominate. Then the Buckeyes took a two-touchdown lead into the fourth quarter, only to have the Wolverines come snarling back twice, first to tie  and then to  roll the dice for it all on the two-pointer.

Then too there was the fight, which erupted in the first half, when all the deep, abiding respect both teams say they have for each other devolved into "Wham-bam, well, so’s your old man."

Nobody wants that, but, as with everything else Saturday, Miller was in the middle of it too, trying to rescue freshman Dontre Wilson. “A Michigan guy was trying to take my head off, so I ain’t going to have that,” he said.

He ain’t going to have the Heisman, either. But a place in the lore of the best game in the best rivalry in the sport? That's his for keeps.