BY JOHN ERARDI
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLUMBUS - Without actually saying so, Ohio State coach John Cooper has loosened his approach to the Michigan game in the hopes of giving his team its best chance to win.
"Coach Cooper told us, 'Watch film, and let us know what you think is open against them,' " flanker Dee Miller said. "I've always felt I could approach Coach if I felt a certain route would work, but this is the first time he's invited us to do that."
It can't hurt to loosen things up.
This year's seniors have never participated in a victory over Michigan. The last time OSU beat Michigan - 22-6 in 1994 in Columbus - this year's seniors were either being redshirted as freshmen (who can only watch from the sidelines) or were high school seniors.
"Coach Cooper seems to be relaxed and excited this week," said senior linebacker Jerry Rudzinski. "He takes a lot of heat (from fans and the media) about our past three losses, but he wasn't the one on the field not doing his assignments."
Tailback Joe Montgomery, who will start Saturday instead of Michael Wiley because Montgomery is a senior and gives the Buckeyes a hard-nosed approach, said he noticed right away that Cooper was going to enjoy himself this week.
At practice Sunday, the day after OSU beat Iowa, Montgomery sensed a light, bubbly quality to the workout.
"Coach was more relaxed (than normal)," Montgomery said. "He went around asking trivia questions. Then again, he always does that. But, yeah, he was very relaxed."
At Cooper's luncheon Monday, veteran writers said they couldn't recall ever having seen him so relaxed during Michigan week.
A writer asked Cooper whether he'd be in favor of "moving" the Michigan game up on the schedule.
"'Move it where?" Cooper asked. "Toledo?"
When another writer asked Cooper if he loses a year off his life when he sees a big Michigan play beat his team, he said, "I hope not." Then, pausing to consider his 1-8-1 record vs. UM, he said, "Geez, I hope not."
When he was asked whether his lack of success against Michigan is a matter of "bad breaks or what," he answered: "Or what." But, he takes the losses hard.
"We've had our chances, particularly here at home," he said. He then recited a litany of plays from all the home losses, as though a video was running through his head.
Does he think often of his lack of success against Michigan? "About 365 days a year," he said. "You can't get away from it. You guys don't let me forget it."
"Should we?" he was asked.
"No, you shouldn't," he said. "I'm not complaining."
Miller likes Cooper's approach.
"Our preparation has been good every week (this season)," he said. "We shouldn't change a thing. We should make (Michigan) adjust to us instead of us adjusting to them."
OSU players want it wide-open.
They have a great passing attack. The only team that has been able to slow it down this season is Michigan State, which kept a rush on quarterback Joe Germaine.
"Right after we beat Iowa last week," Miller said, "Coach told us, 'Don't make (Michigan) out to be better than what they are.' Once you hear your head man talking like that - he sounded confident - that filters down through the team."
This year, for the first time, OSU didn't have its traditional "senior tackle" day on Thursday of Michigan week. Instead, the event will be held before OSU's bowl game.
At senior tackle, seniors line up and hit the sled one last time. It was once a quiet tradition played out in front of the team, coaches and a couple of reporters. By two years ago, it had grown into extravaganza with a crowd of 20,000 spectators and fiery pep talks by former players.
"It wasn't a big distraction, but it was a minor one, and I think it's good to do away with all the distractions this week," Miller said.
