Michigan playing catch-up in rivalry with Ohio State

This is the fourth in a series of short reports examining some of college football’s spring story lines. Today: Ohio State vs. Michigan, a rivalry, or what’s left of one.

Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel is 6-1 against Michigan, won a national title in 2002, knocked Michigan out of the national title game in 2006 and a few weeks ago recruited the player, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who could earn the Buckeyes another title while denying Michigan the player it needed most to run a new offense.

Would you call that a clean sweep?

Michigan also lost Lloyd Carr but gained West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez, who then lost once-prized recruit quarterback Ryan Mallet, whose skill set doesn’t fit the new system. Starting offensive lineman Justin Boren also quit after saying the program’s family values had eroded. But venerable Michigan Stadium is undergoing a $300-million renovation.

Spring forward: Pryor won’t join Ohio State until summer and isn’t likely to unseat six-year man Todd Boeckman. The Buckeyes, however, could have a few plays scripted for Pryor when Ohio State plays at USC on Sept. 13.