It was a sweet win for the Buckeyes, just 6-7 last season with a loss to their archrivals in a transitional year in which they were facing heavy NCAA penalties. After Urban Meyer took the job as head coach a year ago, they were socked with a bowl ban after this season — and still ran the table.

Ohio State (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) is ineligible for a BCS national title but still has an outside shot at finishing Number 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 if other contenders lose. Michigan (8-4, 6-2) will now await a minor bowl bid.

Chillicothe's Drew Basil matched his season output with four field goals and the defense did the rest, forcing three turnovers in the second half. Basil also had a career long 52-yard field goal.

It was played before 105,899, the largest crowd ever to witness "The Game" in Columbus.