A few afternoon notes from ESPN's Stats & Information group.
OHIO STATE-MICHIGAN
1. Minnesota, nine games, 1934-42
2. Cornell, seven games, 1889-94
3. Ohio State, five games, 2004-present
4. Purdue, five games, 1962-66
5. Army, five games, 1945-54
PENN STATE-MICHIGAN STATE
OHIO STATE-MICHIGAN
- Since the Ohio State-Michigan game was moved to end of season, only one time has a team with a losing record defeated a team with a winning record. In 1951, 3-5 Michigan beat 4-2-2 Ohio State 7-0 in Woody Hayes' first season.
- With a loss, Michigan would have consecutive seasons with at least seven losses for the first time in school history.
- This is the first time an unranked Michigan team is hosting a ranked Ohio State team since 1993. That year Michigan defeated 5th-ranked Ohio State, 28-0.
1. Minnesota, nine games, 1934-42
2. Cornell, seven games, 1889-94
3. Ohio State, five games, 2004-present
4. Purdue, five games, 1962-66
5. Army, five games, 1945-54
PENN STATE-MICHIGAN STATE
- With a win, Penn State would have its second straight 10-win season. The Nittany Lions haven’t won 10+ games in consecutive seasons since 1993 and 1994. It would also be the 21st 10-win season under Joe Paterno. Only six schools -- Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska, USC and Texas -- have more 10-win seasons than Paterno, and no coach has more.
- The Spartans have a chance to be 3-0 in November. That also hasn’t happened since the 1999 season. Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State is 6-2 in November games. They were just 2-11 under John L. Smith.
Most 10-win seasons
1. Joe Paterno, 20
2. Bobby Bowden, 18
3. Tom Osborne, 15
4. Paul "Bear" Bryant, 14
Michigan State's defense has epitomized the team's up-and-down season. The Spartans have been solid at home but shaky on the road.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
