Where: Ohio Stadium
When: 3:30 EST
TV: ABC/ESPN
The last time OSU played Michigan State, it was 2008 and the Buckeyes cruised to a 42-7 victory over the Spartans in East Lansing. Beanie Wells, as famously depicted above, led the charge with a dominant performance which included a hop into the endzone that showed his injured foot wasn't going to keep him from having another 1,000 yard season.
Times have changed, as MSU has since gone from a mediocre, at best, program to one that is fresh off an 11 win season and a co-Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes are without their field general, Jim Tressel, and things can go in either direction for them at this point. It is conceivable that Ohio State could very well lose their next four contests, as they face top 25 teams Michigan State, Nebraska, Illinois and Wisconsin all in succession. October will truly define what type of year these young Buckeyes have, and it all starts on Saturday.
People have been critical of an OSU defense that is ranked 16th nationally, as they are giving up nearly 100 yards per game on the ground and have surrendered over 300 yards of total offense three games in a row. In Columbus, those type of stats are unheard of, as the silver bullets are typically one of the top rushing, and total defenses in the country. Michigan State, on the other hand, comes into the Shoe boasting the top ranked defense college football, which is due in large part to their top ranked pass defense which yields only 101 yards per game. Do the math: this match up doesn't exactly favor OSU on paper.
There are in fact distinct advantages that the home team will have on the ground though, and that is why I am picking them to win. RBs Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde should have a strong showing behind one of the best offensive lines in college football, along with the running ability of QB Braxton Miller. I feel as if both teams know that whoever controls the line of scrimmage will win this game, and the edge on the offensive side goes to Ohio State.
Michigan State will have their moments, as the Big Ten's best pass-catch duo of Kirk Cousins and Columbus product B.J. Cunningham won't go down without a fight. Unfortunately for Sparty, their running game will continue to not be as strong as it was thought to be heading into the season, and that will lead to a big turnover (or two). It may not lead to touchdowns every time for Miller and co., but it will be enough to hold off a solid MSU squad in Columbus.
Make no mistake that this will be a battle from beginning to end, but sometimes you just have to go with the home team who has their backs up against the wall. Lose this game if you are OSU, and you are staring at a potential four game losing streak against the best teams in the Big Ten. Win this game, and you set yourself for a big change in momentum as far as the season goes and the confidence gained can spring this young team to bigger and better things.
Oh, and in case you didn't know, the Bucks will get a little bit more experienced next week when they travel to Nebraska, as Boom Herron, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas and DeVier Posey all return to try and make a run at the Big Ten title.
Prediction:
Mich State- 14
Ohio State- 23
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