In a monumental upset favored OSU loses to Michigan 38-26......OK who are we kidding here......As expected OSU was able to stay close to Michigan but in the end the "Cooper/Bellisari" tandom was just too much for us to overcome......So what happened? Why did we lose again? Consider these facts:

REASON NUMBER ONE: The Bellisari Factor: Bellisari is now 12-8 as an OSU starter. As usual Bellisari had some flashes of brilliance, but also as usual he had his usual ugly streak. Bellisari tossed 3 interceptions and one of them was returned for a TD by Michigan. His overall performance was not good on a day when OSU needed a good day from the QB spot to win. The TV announcer's kept predicting the game would be decided in the 4th quarter. That was bad news for the OSU faithful because we've all seen what Bellisari does in the crunch with the game on the line (see Purdue 2 minute drill to end that game). Unfortunately the TV guys were right. OSU had the ball with 4 minutes left and needed a TD to take the lead. So how did we do? "Four and Out". Bellisari proved himself again when he missed a wide open Rambo on a deep route. Come to think of it he not only missed him he threw the ball out of bounds where NO ONE could catch it.

REASON NUMBER TWO: The Cooper Factor: Coach Cooper is trying too hard to shake the Michigan jinx. Too many gadget plays Coop - let your team play the game and quit gambling so much. Let the talent on the field determine the outcome of the game. Results for Coach Cooper are not good as he has only won 2 times in 13 years against Michigan. Neither win resulted in a Rose Bowl trip, and to make matters worse, 8 of his losses during that time-frame denied OSU a Big Ten Championship.

REASON NUMBER THREE: The Dreaded Fourth and Short Factor: OSU has failed on the "4th and short" plays all year. It happened again late in the 4th quarter when we were unable to convert with 3 minutes left in the game.

Well on the positive side with a bowl win we'd end up the year 9-3 and that's good compared to last year............and.....there's always next year!!!!!

PS Congratulations to PURDUE for winning the Big Ten and going to the Rose Bowl.....of course the victory unfortunately did deny Michigan a cherished Rose Bowl trip, too.......