OHIO STATE

Boren identity: Family has left its imprint on rivalry

Jon Spencer
Reporter

COLUMBUS – Here's a festive image easy to picture:

As they gather around the holiday dinner table, each taking his turn giving thanks, the Boren men strike a common chord.

Jacoby, the youngest, is the first to speak, repeating what he said to reporters this week in advance of Saturday's 112th edition of the storied Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

"It's the best rivalry game around," OSU's senior center said. "I'm just thankful to be part of it."

The other Boren men — dad Mike and brothers Justin and Zach — nod in accord.

When it comes to Ohio State vs. Michigan, sameness is unique in this family. They've all left their imprint on the rivalry.

Mike played for Michigan, twice leading the Wolverines in season tackles, and his wife, Hope, ran track for U-M. Justin, an offensive tackle, began his career at Michigan, but became the first player to transfer from there to Ohio State since at least World War II, eventually earning All-America honors for the Buckeyes. Zach arrived at OSU as a fullback, but coach Urban Meyer moved him to linebacker midway through the 2012 season to solidify the defense and springboard the Buckeyes to a 12-0 finish.

There's been at least one Boren on the team every year since 2009, during which time the Buckeyes are 5-1 against Michigan.

"It's humbling to see my dad, Justin and Zach play in this game and humbling for me to follow in their footsteps and to have the great opportunity we've had," Jacoby Boren said. "Not many people get to play in this game. We've have four."

Jacoby was weaned on Wolverine football.

"Growing up, I was a fan up there," he said, making sure to follow OSU protocol by not mentioning Michigan by name. "My dad knew coach (Bo) Schembechler and was around him. We'd go up there for reunions. Bo and Woody (Hayes) were the iconic coaches in the rivalry.

"I guess I have a great appreciation for it from that aspect, but pretty much anybody who has played in it knows what it's about. They know it's going to be a tough, hard-hitting game."

Boren said his dad and mom had no trouble switching allegiances when Justin opted to leave Michigan because of what he cited as a lack of "family values" when Rich Rodriquez replaced Lloyd Carr as U-M coach.

"It was easy," Jacoby said. "My parents were all about us."

A graduate of Pickerington Central, Boren, at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, is considered undersized for his position, but he's started every game for the last two seasons. Last season, he logged more than 1,000 plays from scrimmage, helping the Buckeyes set school records for points scored (672), touchdowns (90), passing yards (3,707) and passing touchdowns (42) en route to the national championship.

Ohio State center Jacoby Boren

Boren has also excelled off the field. He was named one of 12 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the country. He'll receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the of the 2015 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Class. He's the first Buckeye to be so honored since Brian Robiskie in 2008.

But nothing would make Boren happier than completing a career sweep of Michigan and walking away with his fourth pair of gold pants, the trinket OSU awards members of the team after a victory over the Wolverines.

Ohio State survived a close call in Ann Arbor two years ago and this time they are a 2.5-point underdog after their hopes of winning a Big Ten title and repeating as national champions presumably took a fatal hit with last week's last-second 17-14 loss to Michigan State.

The winner of Saturday's game will represent the East Division in next week's Big Ten Championship Game only if Michigan State, which also owns a win over Michigan, loses at home Saturday to Penn State.

"We all need to look ourselves in the mirror and do what we can to help the team win," Boren said. "This season has been frustrating at times, but football can be frustrating. It's not a game that's cut and dried. There's a lot of moving parts."

One of those moving parts was line coach Ed Warinner, who took on more responsibility as the offensive coordinator job this season. But was it at the expense of his linemen? Despite the return of Boren and three other starters up front, the front five hasn't functioned at the same high level it reached at the end of last season.

There were several games this season where the Buckeyes failed to launch tailback Ezekiel Elliott until the second half. In the loss to Michigan State Elliott saw his Heisman Trophy hopes go poof as poor execution, lousy play-calling and the Spartan defense conspired to hold the Buckeyes to five first downs, 45 offensive plays, two short-field touchdowns and 132 yards total offense. Elliott carried the ball only twice in the second half, which led to his well-documented griping about the play-calling to reporters.

His public grievance became a distraction the Buckeyes could have done without to kick off this week. Especially with the Wolverines enjoying a rebirth under coach Jim Harbaugh in his return to his alma mater.

"At points, we've come close," Boren said about the offense's attempt to meet the standard set by last year's attack. "Right before the bye week we were clicking. It's something where every week you have to work to the best of your ability, something we have to improve on. As a whole we have to take ownership. Everybody has to reflect ... and see what they can do better."

There will be plenty of time for silent reflection as Boren and his extended family digest their Thanksgiving feast. The Borens are opening their home to players, especially the freshmen, who can't make it home during what ultimately is still a work week.

How many turkeys were on the grocery list?

"I don't even know," Jacoby said. "By the time I get there, it's already cut up."

Mom's got it handled. It's his job to help carve up her old school.

jspencer@nncogannett.com

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'The Game'

*Series history: Michigan leads 58-47-6

*Recent history: OSU has won 12 of last 14

*Michigan points: 1,910

*Ohio State points: 1,564

*OSU in Ann Arbor: 21-31-4

*OSU at Michigan Stadium: 19-23-3

*OSU at Ohio State: 26-27-2

*OSU at Ohio Stadium: 24-22-1

*Games decided by 3 points or less: OSU leads 7-5-6

*Games decided by 7 points or less: OSU leads 19-17-6

*OSU's longest winning streak: 7

*Michigan's longest winning streak: 9

*Current streak: OSU has won 3 straight

*Biggest OSU win: 38-0 (1935)

*Biggest Michigan win: 86-0 (1902)