What a rollercoaster of a season. Players, coaches, and fans wait each week with bated breath to see if the team will be able to take the field or if COVID-19 will notch another victory in the win column.
This week brings the same anxiety of the waiting game. As of now, Ohio State is optimistic that the game against Michigan State will take place. But until the team is on the field, we won’t know for sure.
Sparty has been a bit of a mystery this year. They couldn’t get out of their own way in an opening loss to Rutgers and then last week beat the No. 8 ranked Northwestern Wildcats. Your guess is as good as ours.
Assuming both teams can get to Saturday with no outbreaks, let’s take a look at how the game might play out.
NEXT … Records and broadcast information
Record
Ohio State (4-0), Michigan State (2-3)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, December 5
Game Time: Noon EST
Network: ABC
Venue: Spartan Stadium – Capacity – 75,005 (no fans permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions)
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 33-15
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Michigan State 34-10 in 2019
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
After finding the ground game two weeks ago against Indiana, the Buckeyes are ready to soar to new heights. A team can be one dimensional against sub-par opponents, but if Ohio State plans on making it to the College Football Playoff and being able to compete with the big boys, a balanced attack is necessary.
After throwing just three interceptions in his entire career, Justin Fields looked like he was trying to force things against Indiana. Fields equaled that career stat in just one game, giving the ball to the Hoosiers three times. Michigan State has a ball-hawking cornerback in Shakur Brown who has five interceptions in five games. The Spartans haven’t faced the caliber of receivers that Ohio State has, it should go without saying, but Fields has to do a better job of protecting the rock.
On the defensive side of the ball, MSU doesn’t have any one player that will keep Kerry Coombs up at night. But the Spartans are a scrappy bunch and seem to relish playing the underdog role. Against Michigan, quarterback Rocky Lombardi threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns. Three different times this season the Spartans have had receivers go over 100 yards. That could spell trouble for a young secondary trying to find its identity.
Michigan State does a nice job of protecting Lombardi as well. He’s only been sacked six times this season. Compare that to Ohio State who has allowed Justin Fields to be sacked 12 times in one less game played. Getting pressure on the quarterback always helps ease some of the troubles in pass coverage, so getting to Lombardi will be key.
If the Buckeyes want an invite to the CFP, the defense must prove itself, and Michigan State is a great place to get the ball rolling in the right direction.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
Master Teague – Running back: Master Teague has firmly planted himself as the No. 1 back at Ohio State. Carries were split fairly equally in the first three games between Teague and Trey Sermon. But Teague has earned the trust of the coaching staff and has been garnering most of the touches. Ohio State needs Teague to continue running hard to keep the offense balanced and pressure off Justin Fields to feel like he has to do everything.
Master Teague sits down with Reggie Bush: ‘I thought this game was your coming out party’ https://t.co/M7p8XB90RH
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@Buckeyes) November 26, 2020
Baron Browning – Linebacker: With Indiana threatening to score late in the first half, Baron Browning made an outstanding play to knock the ball loose and recover the fumble. Browning is a smart football player and has emerged as a leader in his senior year. The linebacking crew gets somewhat overlooked on this Buckeye team, but they have been the one constant on the defensive side of the ball.
Big time play from Baron Browning, and it's Ohio State's ball pic.twitter.com/yY8FICLJlV
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 21, 2020
Next … How it’ll all go down
The prediction
Michigan State seems to play with a chip on its shoulder when it’s the underdog. It’s a culture former head coach Mark Dantonio created in his time in East Lansing and something current head coach Mel Tucker is trying to continue.
Sparty is 2-1 against ranked opponents in 2020, but after Saturday, they’ll be back to even. Ohio State once again has too much athleticism and depth. As if that weren’t enough, the Buckeyes know there is a sense of urgency after getting dropped to No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.
Michigan State is flying high after knocking off a top-ten ranked Northwestern. Ohio State plans to bring the Spartans back down to earth come Saturday, IF, the game is played. Fingers crossed.
Final Score
Ohio State 49, Michigan State 13
Line
Ohio State – 21.5 (Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.)
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