Ohio State 26, Michigan 21: Braxton Miller went 14-of-18 for 189 yards and a touchdown and the Buckeyes’ defense stepped up in the second half to secure the sixth perfect season in school history.

Carlos Hyde rushed for 146 yards and a score and Corey Brown caught eight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown for Ohio State (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten), which is ineligible for the postseason due to NCAA sanctions but could still claim the Associated Press National Championship if things break right at the top of the polls.

Devin Gardner earned another start at quarterback for the No. 20 Wolverines, throwing for a score and running for another in the first half. Denard Robinson, who was moved off quarterback and into the backfield last week due to a shoulder injury, rushed for 122 yards and a score but managed minus-2 yards in the second half as the Michigan offense fell off.

The Buckeyes forced three turnovers after the break and turned them into two field goals, taking a 23-21 lead on Drew Basil’s 28-yard kick with 8:12 left in the third quarter and stretching it to 26-21 with a 25-yarder with 6:26 remaining in the fourth. Ohio State limited the Wolverines (8-4, 6-2) to 60 total yards in the second half.

Miller hit Brown with a 14-yard pass in the second quarter and the junior wide receiver managed to sneak it just over the goal line for a touchdown and a 17-14 lead with 1:30 left in the first half. Michigan needed only two plays to respond, as Robinson got the ball on a run and bounced off a pair of would-be tacklers before breaking into the secondary and sprinting 67 yards for the score.

A career-long 52-yard field goal by Basil drew the Buckeyes within 21-20 at the break.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ohio State honored the 10th anniversary of the 2002 National Championship team, bringing back several players and former coach Jim Tressel. The players hoisted Tressel onto their shoulders as the crowd roared. … Miller (3,310) broke Bobby Hoying’s Buckeyes record in total yardage for a season. Miller needed 228 yards to pass the former quarterback and went over the mark on a long run in the third quarter that ended with him down on the ground dealing with a calf injury. He sat out only one play. … Michigan has not won in Columbus since 2000. The Wolverines missed out on their chance at a BCS bowl on Friday, when Nebraska’s win clinched the Legends Division.