Regardless of sport, stakes are always at a premium when Ohio State and Michigan meet. But as the two are set to square off from the Value City Arena for tonight's 9 p.m. tip, the importance is higher than bragging rights.

In the season's only meeting between the two rivals, thanks to a three-game surge after appearing left for dead, Ohio State can climb within two games of the Big Ten leading Wolverines in the conference standings with a win. The Buckeyes enter tonight's game ranked No. 22, 19-5 on the season, 6-5 in the Big Ten, in a tie for fourth with No. 21 Wisconsin. Michigan, victims in two of their last three, sits atop the Big Ten in tie with No. 9 Michigan State at 9-2 in conference action, 17-6 overall.

Ohio State began it's winning streak dispatching Wisconsin and Iowa, ranked opponents on the road, as they look to climb their first win at home against a top-25 club. Ohio State is the second of four-consecutive opponents Michigan will face, with dates at home against Wisconsin and Michigan State on the horizon.

Ohio State leads the all-time series with Michigan 93-73, 17-4 under coach Thad Matta. In Columbus, the Buckeyes have a 53-26 advantage.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES		OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
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