ANN ARBOR, Mich. _ Michigan gave Ohio State everything it wanted and more.
But several small missed opportunities added up into something bigger, and the Buckeyes will leave Ann Arbor with another win over the Wolverines.
Michigan lost a two-touchdown lead in the first half and a six-point lead in the second and Ohio State did enough Saturday, notching a 31-20 win over the Wolverines.
Michigan (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) has now lost six straight to the rival Buckeyes (10-2, 8-1), as Jim Harbaugh drops to 0-3 against Urban Meyer. The Wolverines will now await their bowl assignment with the regular season over.
Down to its third-string quarterback, John O'Korn, Michigan came out hot in the first quarter, jumping out to a 14-0 lead with creative early play-calling and a smothering defense. Michigan held the Buckeyes to minus-6 yards in the first quarter.
But things began to slip from there. After Josh Metellus dropped an interception near Ohio State's goal line, J.T. Barrett got the Buckeyes going with a 21-yard touchdown scramble. Four minutes later, the Buckeyes were in the end zone again when Barrett hit a wide open Marcus Baugh for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 5:07 to go in the first half.
The Wolverines had an answer in the third quarter when Karan Higdon capped a 51-yard drive with a 2-yard scoring plunge, but Quinn Nordin's extra point was blocked. Ohio State _ who was forced to turn to backup Dwayne Haskins after Barrett suffered a knee injury _ continued to move the ball.
Haskins came in and engineered a 78-yard touchdown march to close the third quarter, capped by a J.K. Dobbins run and then led the Buckeyes on a field goal drive that saw Sean Nuernberger boot a 44-yarder to make it 24-20 with 4:29 to go in the third.
Michigan had one last chance, though, after Nuernberger missed a 43-yard attempt with 2:47 left in the fourth. O'Korn heaved an interception deep downfield right into the arms of Jordan Fuller, effectively ending the game.
Mike Weber polished things off with a 25-yard touchdown run on the following possession.
O'Korn finished the game 17 for 32 for 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Michigan rushed the ball 36 times for 100 yards. Haskins was 6 for 7 for 94 yards, Dobbins finished with 101 yards and a touchdown for the Buckeyes.
