COLUMBUS – Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said the fact that rival Michigan comes into this Saturday’s annual showdown with the Buckeyes at just 5-6 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten will have little to do with how No. 9 ranked Ohio State approaches the game.

“Very seldom do you go into this game and study the statistics sheet,” Tressel said this afternoon as he addressed the media at the Woody Hayes Center on the Ohio State campus. “That’s not the way it works.”

The Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1) clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl bid with a 27-24 overtime win against Iowa on Saturday, and will win the outright conference championship with a win over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

Tressel said the Buckeyes know they will see a well-prepared Michigan team, and one that will play much better than its record would indicate. He said there is no chance the Ohio State players will take Michigan lightly.

“I’m not worried about overconfidence,” Tressel said. “We’ve got enough guys that have played in this game. They won’t let that happen.”