Ohio State has churned out running backs galore.
You want offensive linemen, defensive backs and tight ends? Dial 1-800-Buckeyes.
But if you’re an NFL general manager shopping for a quarterback … well, uh, there’s a school up north we can recommend.
Since the early 1990s, Michigan has been Quarterback U. The Wolverines have produced three bona fide NFL starters–Elvis Grbac, a nine-year veteran who turned down a million-dollar contract from the Baltimore Ravens to retire this season; Brian Griese, a five-year starter for the Denver Broncos, and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, who is in his third year with the New England Patriots.
They also developed another serviceable back-up in eight-year veteran Todd Collins of the Kansas City Chiefs. That’s not all.
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If Drew Henson hadn’t jumped at a baseball contract with the New York Yankees after his junior season, he probably would have been the No.1 pick in the 2002 NFL draft.
Ohio State? Well, in that same span the Buckeyes have produced just three pro quarterbacks, none of them stalwarts: Kent Graham (a Notre Dame transfer), Bobby Hoying and Joe Germaine.
Former Michigan QBs hold a resounding edge over their OSU counterparts in games played (211-108), touchdown tosses (223-51) and passing yards (36,672-10,345).
Perhaps Michigan’s dominance in the series–a 10-3-1 record over the last 14 years–is not a mystery.
Asked about the importance of having a reliable starter at QB, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said: “I think it’s critical. The nature of the position is that the guy touches the ball every down, and the decisions he makes makes will have a great impact on your success.
“I don’t think there’s any question you have to have a guy who’s smart, a guy who can handle pressure–not only the pressure of the game, but the pressure of all the things that go with being a high-profile student-athlete.”
The Buckeyes have had their share of prominent players, just at other positions.
“I’m sure you can go back and do a study and find out the most efficient quarterback usually will end up being victorious,” OSU coach Jim Tressel said. “Now that doesn’t mean you climb into a shell and just run quarterback sneak every play. … But within the realm of what you have to do to be successful, against an opponent of the quality Michigan happens to be, the efficient quarterback will win the game.”
QB matchup
How Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel (CK) and Michigan’s John Navarre (JN) match up:
CATEGORY CK JN
Games 12 11
Attempts 214 366
Completions 131 204
Percentage 61.2 55.7
Efficiency 148.2 124.2
Yards 1,864 2,339
Touchdowns 12 20
Interceptions 5 6
Yds per game 155.3 212.6
Source: Big Ten.
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