This week might be the first stiff test for Ohio State. No really.
It seems like we keep saying that as each week passes, and the Buckeyes keep passing every test with flying colors. No, the competition hasn’t been that great, but to win by more than 40 points in every contest so far is kind of ridiculous no matter who’s on the docket.
And let’s not forget there’s a win on the road in a night-time Big Ten affair, as well as a dismantling of what looks to be a solid Cincinnati squad.
Regardless, Michigan State will be the best defense the Buckeyes have faced, and there’s certainly some history of the Spartans playing spoiler (even in the ‘Shoe) to OSU’s big-time aspirations.
But we think Ohio State still rolls in this one. Here’s five reasons the Scarlet and Gray come out on top Saturday night.
Next … Pick your poison Michigan State
Ohio State has a ton of balance
Remember last year when Ohio State traveled to East Lansing and won a slog-fest? That was when the Buckeyes were more one-dimensional than this year. The running game lacked consistency, and the Spartan defense knew it could count on Dwayne Haskins slinging it around to move the football.
And yet, OSU still won rather convincingly.
Take that with the realization that this year’s Ohio State squad is cooking with gas on all burners. The offensive line is pushing people around and creating running lanes, yet Justin Fields has been able to unleash lasers down the field.
It’ll be tough to stop the Buckeye offense in all facets.
Next … Leftovers are only good at Thanksgiving
Ohio State’s guys are just better
Anytime folks start analyzing this annual grudge match, the fact that Michigan State has a lot of Ohio guys on the roster always comes up. And yes, it’s true that some of the best Spartan players came from the Buckeye state, and no doubt have a chip on their shoulder for not being recruiting heavily by the home state school.
And yeah, that can be a motivating factor, but there’s also the other side. There’s still the reality that Ohio State went out and shopped for better groceries and landed them. It’s one thing to develop talent — which the Spartans do very well — it’s another to get the best athletes and then develop those. By the way, the Buckeye program does that rather well too.
So, at the end of the day, Ohio State has the best from across the state with some cherry-picking around the country and that trumps the talent on the Michigan State sideline.
Next … The QB1 factor
Justin Fields’ mobility
The Michigan State defense is at its best when it can keep the quarterback in the pocket, put a premium on defending the traditional run game, and then lock things up on the back-end with its quarters 4-3 man-to-man scheme. In fact, it works exceptionally well in that setting.
However, get a quarterback that can get out of the pocket, extend plays and be a part of the running game, and that’s often where things break down for Sparty.
Last weekend, Indiana quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. didn’t gain a lot of yardage with his legs, but the mere threat of his ability to do so had the Spartans scheming towards it. What resulted was a cleaner pocket and receivers running more open than what you’d typically see against the Spartans.
It should be much of the same against Ohio State with Justin Fields back there. Plays should be there for the taking.
Next … A little Home cookin’ sticks to the ribs
The Home crowd atmosphere
Look, I know the Spartans have a little history of coming down to Columbus and knocking off a highly ranked Ohio State team. But that’s the exception rather than the norm.
For every 1998 and 2015, there’s a 2006, 2008, and 2017 (all OSU blowouts at home). So yeah, you can point to those and have hope, but the reality is that this is still a home game, in prime time, in front of a nationally televised audience. Oh, and there’s a dynamic team waiting in the wings.
Advantage Buckeyes over historical battle figures with armor.
Next … In defense of the Buckeyes
This Ohio State defense is sooo good.
When push comes to shove, I really wonder if this Michigan State offense can move the ball consistently against what’s looking like one of the best defensive units in college football. I mean, yeah, the Spartan defense looks really good at times, but Ohio State’s is better.
The defensive line is going to get after quarterback Brian Lewerke and the running game, and the secondary and linebackers are flying all over the place on the back-end.
Couple that with the Spartans’ challenges offensively at times, and I just don’t see any way they can keep up with what the Ohio State offense is likely going to do. Maybe I’m wrong, but I see a drastically superior Buckeye team looking to rack up the next one.
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