ESPN College Football

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Ohio State's defense made all the big plays when it mattered, forcing five turnovers in its sixth consecutive victory against archrival Michigan.

The Buckeyes clinch the outright Big Ten title for the third time in four years and will almost certainly be headed to the Rose Bowl. Michigan dropped its seventh consecutive Big Ten game to finish last in the league for the first time since 1962. The Wolverines will miss a bowl for the second straight season.

Turnovers were the difference, as Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier had four interceptions and a fumble recovered for a touchdown.

I'm heading down now but will be back with more from both sides.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Tate Forcier often makes something out of nothing, making him one of the Big Ten's most exciting players.

But Forcier is still a freshman, and his gunslinger mentality can hurt the team. Forcier made a throw you just can't make on second-and-5 from the Ohio State 6-yard line, as cornerback Devon Torrence recorded the Buckeyes' third interception and fourth takeaway. Forcier has three picks and a fumble on a day when Michigan's offense has moved the ball decently. He has made several huge plays, but several terrible ones as well.

You can't lose the turnover battle 4-1 and expect to beat Ohio State, which leads 21-10 with 4:49 left.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- If Ohio State's 21-10 lead holds up, I could seriously award helmet stickers to four Buckeyes defenders.

Safety Kurt Coleman just recorded his second interception of the day after a good replay overturn. Linebackers Brian Rolle and Ross Homan both have set up camp in the Michigan backfield, and defensive end Cameron Heyward single-handedly accounted for Ohio State's first touchdowns.

The Buckeyes might lack the offensive firepower of many top-10 teams, but they bring it on defense. They've made more game-changing plays this year on the defensive side, and today's game has been no exception.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Jim Tressel takes a lot of heat for his conservative play-calling, but the Ohio State head coach just pushed the right button.

Tressel's call for a screen pass on third-and-goal from the 12-yard line could be the decisive moment in this game. After getting pushed backward on consecutive plays, Terrelle Pryor lofted a pass just beyond the Michigan rushers to Dan Herron, who surged into the end zone. Ohio State now leads 21-10 after briefly losing the momentum.

Herron's score capped a very impressive 89-yard scoring drive from Ohio State, which rammed the ball down Michigan's throat, as so many others have done. Herron, Pryor and Brandon Saine all had gains of more than 10 yards on the march. The Wolverines' defense once again has lost a step in the second half, a problem throughout Big Ten play.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Jim Tressel hates turnovers, and the Ohio State head coach just got another reminder how damaging they can be.

Tressel, who many have said takes the ball out of Terrelle Pryor's hands too much, watched Pryor throw his first interception since Oct. 24. Michigan capitalized with some magic from quarterback Tate Forcier, and the Wolverines cut their deficit to 14-10.

Pryor telegraphed his throw to DeVier Posey on third-and-4, and Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton intercepted the ball after a deflection. I'm still puzzled why Pryor doesn't just run the ball more often, as Michigan hasn't been able to consistently stop him.

Forcier, meanwhile, showed why he's one of the Big Ten's most exciting players. He kept a third-down play alive with his feet, found an open area and then made an unbelievable throw across the field to Vincent Smith for an 18-yard touchdown. The freshman is definitely a gamer, and he's trying to lead Michigan back.

Michigan wideouts Roy Roundtree and Greg Mathews both are turning in big performances today.

It has been an ugly game so far at Kinnick Stadium, where Iowa leads Minnesota 9-0 at halftime.

Hawkeyes freshman quarterback James Vandenberg struggled a bit in the first 30 minutes after looking sharp last week at Ohio Stadium. Vandenberg threw a pick and had only 74 passing yards in the first half. He's getting help from running back Adam Robinson, who continues to produce just weeks after a high ankle sprain. I'm continually impressed by A-Rob this season.

While Vandenberg hasn't been great, Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber has been worse. Weber's puzzling season has continued with an interception and a fumble (Minnesota recovered). The junior completed just 5 of 13 attempts in the first half. Will we see more of MarQueis Gray after the break? Minnesota's offense certainly needs a jump start.

Iowa could be 30 minutes away from a BCS at-large berth.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Halftime tidbits from Michigan Stadium, where No. 10 Ohio State leads Michigan 14-3.

Turning point: Ohio State's dormant offense finally stirred midway through the second quarter, as quarterback Terrelle Pryor finally got the chance to make plays. Pryor's 25-yard burst set up a 29-yard scoring run by Brandon Saine on the next play as Ohio State turned a tight contest into a 14-3 cushion. Michigan didn't help its cause by throwing an interception on the ensuing possession.

Best player of the half: Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman has been outstanding in the first 30 minutes. The senior has an interception and two pass breakups, including one near the goal line that helped force a short field-goal attempt that Michigan missed. Defensive end Cameron Heyward and linebacker Brian Rolle get honorable mentions.

What Ohio State must do: Run Pryor. Michigan hasn't shown the ability to consistently stop the Buckeyes quarterback. Ohio State should incorporate more spread elements and let Pryor do his thing. On defense, the Buckeyes need to defend intermediate passes a bit better and maintain their edge in their own end of the field.

What Michigan must do: Turn yards into points. The Wolverines have 163 yards of offense but only a field goal to show for it. Michigan also must force a turnover or two on defense and keep Pryor in the pocket as much as possible.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It must have been hard for Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez to watch Terrelle Pryor fake a handoff on a zone read play and then sprint for a 25-yard gain.

Pryor showed why he's at his best in a spread offense structure and finally gashed Michigan's defense, which had held Ohio State in check for a quarter and a half. The sophomore's burst set up a nice misdirection on the next play, as Brandon Saine sprinted into the end zone from 29 yards out.

Ohio State needs to let Pryor loose more often. You can't let him play in a phonebooth. Jim Tressel loosened the reins a bit, and Pryor capitalized as Ohio State now owns a 14-3 lead.

Tate Forcier just committed his second turnover, as Ohio State's Kurt Coleman just intercepted a deflected pass.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan has moved the ball on offense pretty much all season, but the Wolverines aren't cashing in where it counts.

The home team outgained Ohio State 93 yards to 31 in the first quarter, as Greg Robinson's defense stifled Terrelle Pryor. Michigan showed good tempo and balance on a drive deep into Buckeyes territory, but it has nothing to show on the scoreboard.

Ohio State's defense has done this before, surrendering yards but very few points. You can survive a few bad plays if you keep a team out of the end zone, and the Buckeyes do it better than anyone in the Big Ten.

The Buckeyes still lead 7-0.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- One of the weakest units in the Big Ten looks pretty good so far today.

Michigan's maligned defense has held Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes' offense in check. I like Michigan's decision to move Troy Woolfolk back to deep safety after moving him to cornerback midway through the season. The defensive line has shut down Ohio State's run game, and Mike Martin came up with a big sack on Pryor, losing his helmet in the process.

You got the feeling defense would translate into offense for Michigan as Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson led a balanced drive into the red zone. But a questionable third-down call -- I hate the bubble screen -- led to a short field-goal attempt, which Jason Olesnavage missed.

Tough blow there for Michigan as Ohio State still leads 7-0.