Yep, I’ve smelled it too. The gusty winds Wednesday finally brought the stench of arrogance southward – making the 191-mile trip down from Ann Arbor. While all the readers up north finally think they’re in prime position to take down the Buckeyes, just hold on a second.

Things are certainly different now. Everyone says the Buckeyes have no chance, but think again.

Instead of a history of losing, just waiting for Jim Cooper to blow it again and looking awkward trying to embrace the tradition of the game, we’ve got a little thing called Tresselball out on the field.

In case you have not been formally introduced, take time before Saturday’s game to watch last year’s tape. For the record, Michigan did not score any touchdowns, kicked three field goals and had to settle for bad field position – that just about follows the script.

At the time, not many around the Big Ten knew it, but the second straight victory over the Wolverines was a preview of this season and a little thing called the Fiesta Bowl. The glitz, glamour and high scores of Cooper’s teams may not be around anymore, but OSU has traded the high-octane Ferrari for a steady Chevy, and as a part of the deal had a national title thrown in at no extra cost. It may be ugly, nerve-wracking and causing most of Ohio to develop ulcers, but all it does is win games.

Reports claim one Buckeye fan broke two bones in his wrist following Mike Nugent’s blocked field goal at the end of regulation against Purdue last Saturday. The game was not even over and fans were already at a boiling point. Ah, another side effect of Tresselball.

In addition to physically wearing their opponents out, the Buckeyes have simply made them crack under the pressure. Watching kicks fall short or just wide with the game on the line is not what I call dominating football, but again, it just wins games – all a part of Tresselball.

So Michigan is undoubtedly the toughest test the Buckeyes will face all season. Shouldn’t it be that way? It’s only fitting the 100th game is a historic battle, reminiscent of the Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler eras.

The advantages are all on the Buckeyes’ sideline. Both teams are coming in ranked in the top five, but the odd-makers say the Wolverines are nearly a touchdown favorite. No worries. While the Cooper era was filled with finding every possible way to lose, Tresselball just wins.

Go back two years ago to Tressel’s first trip up north. While Jonathan Wells exploded for 129 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, the Buckeyes overcame the underdog tag to win 26-20.

Last season, on the strength of booming punts and defensive turnovers, the ghosts of Cooper were eliminated by a 14-9 win in typical Tresselball fashion.

With the Big Ten outright title on the line and a chance to play for another national title, do not be surprised if the Buckeyes open up the playbook. Watch out for the lethal short pass on third-and-three or the unexpected draw play on third-and-13.

For all those up north, consider yourself warned. The Buckeyes will limit Chris Perry out of the backfield, the secondary will be a little shaky, but the Silver Bullets will make it difficult to find the end zone. Meanwhile, the Michigan kid, Craig Krenzel, will produce another clutch performance to burn his home state once again. The Buckeyes will once again overcome the underdog billing. Just another Grade A guaranteed product of Tresselball.

Nick Houser is a senior in journalism and can be reached at [email protected].