I'll see your Ted Ginn, Jr. and raise you Steve Breaston

I'm borrowing a now-famous line from ESPN's Neil Everett to hype up a key component in next week's Ohio State/Michigan classic. And it's not A.J. Hawk against Chad Henne, nor is it Mike Hart against the Buckeye's D-line...it's not even really a "matchup" per se. It's two flankers/kick returners who could very well mean the difference in the ballgame.

UM's Steve Breaston, a senior, was hampered by injuries last year after two moderately successful years, largely in the shadow of all-time great Braylon Edwards. He's really become a reliable asset since midseason, is aware of the tradition of great Wolverine receivers, and is leading by example by making the big plays in the clutch.

Most sportswriters, myself included, had OSU's Ted Ginn, Jr. down as a preseason Heisman finalist. He became Priority 1 on more scouting reports than any other sophomore I've seen in a long time. This kid has gamebreaking play written all over him.

Both can flat-out fly. Ginn's father coached him in high school in Cleveland, while Stevie B. was a quarterback in Pennsylvania. Each commands so much attention when lining up at the line of scrimmage that they make their teammates open. OSU's Santonio Holmes and Michigan's Mario Mattingham and Jason Avant all have benefitted from the respect DBs pay to #7 and #15, respectively.

I think the key is in readiness. Breaston's turned up his game of late, making big catches and finally turning into a consistent threat for kickoffs and punts. Ginn is so dangerous in theory after tearing up the Big Ten last year, he's having a hard time putting serious stats together because people key on him and won't kick anywhere near him. He displayed the afterburners in Minneapolis last week, but he's found the end zone only twice more this season.

So while it won't be a direct meeting between the two a la Charles Woodson/David Boston in '97...they'll undoubtedly impact the game's outcome. May the best man win.