As we do every week, we’ll be providing a preview of Ohio State’s opponent. It’s a twelve game slate, so there will be plenty to chew on. It’ll be done as a series with each piece running prior to the game that week.
So, if you want to impress your friends while watching the game, we’ve got your cheat code right here. We do the research, you drop nuggets. You win on Saturdays. It’s as simple as that.
Ohio State’s sixth game of the year is against one of the few programs to give the Buckeyes fits the last few years, Michigan State. Twice since 2012, the Spartans have knocked off the Buckeyes — once in the ‘Shoe (2015) to spoil national title aspirations.
The Spartans calling card is defense like it always is, but the offense showed some signs of life last week in a higher scoring than usual affair against Indiana. OSU seems to be firing on all cylinders, so the challenge is a great one.
Here’s all you need to know about the 2019 Michigan State Spartans.
Michigan State Record
(4-1); The lone loss came at home against Arizona State
All-Time Series Record
32-15 in favor of Ohio State
Michigan State All-Time Vitals
Wins: 705, No. 27 All-Time
Record: 705-460-44 (.601), No. 26 All-Time
National Championships: 6, No. 9 All-Time
Conference Championships: 9, No. 74 All-Time
Bowl Games: 28, No. 40 All-Time
Bowl Record: 12-16-0, No. 66 All-Time
Consensus All-Americans: 31, No. 21 All-Time
Heisman Winners: 0
NFL Draft Picks: 313, No. 16 All-Time
Next … Best season and best player in program history
Best All-Time season
1952 – It was a ways back, but the 1952 season that saw Michigan State finish atop both the UP and AP Poll has to be the best campaign it has put together in the history of the program. The team joined the Big Ten in 1950, but under the agreement, full participation in the conference didn’t occur until 1953. As a result, there was no post season for that year’s team.
But that didn’t stop it from winning a national championship led by star running back, the late Don McAuliffe. He totaled over 725 all-purpose yards in nine games and finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. The Spartans finished the season with a 9-0 record.
Best Michigan State Spartan of All-Time
Bubba Smith, DT (1963-1966) – Smith was not only a force on the football field, he was also a distinguished actor — most known for his role in the Police Academy films.
But, on the gridiron, he was a two-time All-American that helped lead his team to back-to-back national championships in both 1965 and 1966. He was the focal-point of the vaunted “gang-green” defense that tormented Big Ten opponents, and came to East Lansing from Texas. He often got double and tripled teamed, but his presence was a big reason why the Spartans compiled a 19-1-1 record during his time there.
Next … Head coach, offensive and defensive style
Current Head Coach
Mark Dantonio – 129-69 overall, 111-52 now in his 13th season at Michigan State
Spartans’ Offensive Style
It’s a little bit of everything, but it’s more predicated on a pro-style set that is relies on establishing the run first. Opposing defenses have to be careful though because the unit can be multiple against various defensive fronts. It’s more of a ball-controlling offense over the last few years and isn’t afraid to get the quarterback involved in the running game. There are some spread principles to the offense only as a varied look. More often than not, you’ll see the Spartans line up and try to block and execute a balanced offense.
Spartans’ Defensive Style
Under Mark Dantonio, the Spartan culture and hallmark has been the defensive side of the ball. It’s a 4-3 quarters front that likes to rely heavily on man-to-man pressure on the outside. While the DBs are out in space trying to blanket the receivers, the linebackers are set free in run support and blitz packages. Unlike the more modern evolution of the MIKE position (middle linebacker), the Spartans still employ a bigger, more traditional player at the position who is tough to block and gets in on a lot of plays.
Next … Player to watch
Michigan State Spartan to watch
Joe Bachie – LB — Did we mention the guy in the middle of it all for the Spartan defense yet? At 6-2, 238 lbs., Bachie is a bigger linebacker that is a featured guy in the Michigan State defense — and for good reason. He’s one of the best defenders in the Big Ten and used all over the field in diagnosing the running game and pressure packages.
He’ll rack up a ton of tackles and be in on almost everything at or near the line of scrimmage. Oh, and he’s from Ohio, so he’ll be one of those in Green and White playing with an additional chip on his shoulder in this one.
Michigan State can win the game if …
It can lock down the running game. It’s the hallmark of a Dantonio defense.
If the Spartans can get a stalemate in the trenches on defense and make life difficult on the ground for Ohio State, there’s a chance. It’ll have to limit the effectiveness of J.K. Dobbins and Justin Fields on the ground, and make the OSU QB win one through the air. If however, there are chunks to be had on the ground, the Spartans will have to bring up extra run support which will then allow the receivers to shake free more often.
Ohio State’s offense so far in 2019 can hurt you in multiple ways and it’ll be up the the MSU defense to try and make it one-dimensional.
Easier said than done.
