COLUMBUS, Ohio — Troy Smith and Ohio State did it all, overwhelming Michigan with offense, winning the Big Ten title and streaking into the national title game.

The top-ranked Buckeyes put their dazzling speed on display Saturday with a barrage of big plays — and they needed every one to beat an inspired Michigan team, 42-39.

The "Game of the Century," the first 1 vs. 2 matchup in this storied rivalry, was played a day after Michigan lost feisty former coach Bo Schembechler, who died Friday. The teams couldn't have honored his memory with a better game, although it wasn't the type of football he and Woody Hayes played when they battled for a decade.

"There were a lot of good playmakers out there today," Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said. "It was a fast-break game the whole way."

The Wolverines and Buckeyes may have another shot at each other. Depending on how the BCS standings fall, Michigan (11-1, 7-1) can still make it to the title game in Arizona.

Two defenses that came in allowing 20 points per game combined were unable to stop each other's attack. It was the second highest-scoring game in the 103-game series, which dates to 1897; the most points scored were 86 in 1902, the fourth meeting, which Michigan won 86-0.

This one was surely more entertaining.

Smith played a near perfect first half and finished 29-for-41 for 316 yards, a third straight magical performance against Michigan that might have just locked up the Heisman Trophy for the senior.

And while Smith and the Buckeyes twice jumped out to 14-point leads, the Wolverines wouldn't stay down, led by Mike Hart's 142 yards and three touchdowns.

When Smith tossed his fourth touchdown pass — a 13-yarder to Brian Robiskie with 5:38 left on a drive aided by a Michigan roughing-the-passer penalty on a third-and-long incomplete pass — Ohio State (12-0, 8-0) was up 42-31, but they still couldn't rest.

Chad Henne connected with Tyler Ecker for a 16-yard TD and with Steve Breaston on a 2-point conversion to make it 42-39 with 2:16 to go. Michigan's onside kick was caught by Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., and all that was left was for Ohio State to run out the clock.

With 22 seconds left the Buckeyes sideline emptied onto the field. The fans followed from the stands and joined in for a rousing rendition of the alma mater.

Tressel's blazing Buckeyes will play for the national championship for the second time since the 2002 season in Arizona on Jan. 8. Who they will play will be determined in the next two weeks.

Michigan made quite a good case to be that team.

Though that's probably little solace for Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, a Schembechler protege, who has now lost five of six to Tressel and Ohio State.

"We gave up too many big plays," Carr said.