Game of the Week: Ohio State vs. Michigan State
Week ten of the college football season features a Big Ten showdown in East Lansing, Michigan. On Saturday night the No. 14 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1, 4-0 B1G) travel to Spartan Stadium to battle with conference foe and No. 7 Michigan State Spartans (7-1, 4-0 B1G). Saturday night’s game has implications not only in the Big Ten, but also the College Football Playoff.
Last year, an undefeated, No. 2 ranked Ohio State team suffered their first loss of the season to No. 10 Sparty in the Big Ten Championship game. That loss ruined the Buckeyes chances of playing in the National Championship game.
Coming into the game on Saturday, both teams already have one loss, but both teams are undefeated in Big Ten play. Ohio State and Michigan State rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the nation in scoring offense. So the stereotype that the Big Ten doesn’t put up points should be proven untrue on Saturday night.
Ohio State ranks fourth in the Big Ten in scoring defense, only allowing 19.9 points per game. Michigan State ranks sixth, surrendering 20.2 points per game. Ohio State is averaging 259.2 yards per game on the ground; but Michigan State’s rushing defense ranks second in the Big Ten, only allowing 95.4 yards per game.
This without a doubt will be the biggest game of Ohio State freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett’s young career. In his first true road test just two weeks ago, Barrett struggled mightily in Happy Valley, throwing for less than 100 yards and two interceptions.
On the other side of the ball, Michigan State will have senior quarterback Connor Cook, who ranks tenth in the nation in total QBR at 81.8. Cook has played in these types of environments before and it’s at home, so give the advantage to the Spartans at the quarterback position.
The Big Ten’s only hope at a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff lies at the hands of the winner of Saturday night’s clash. As of right now, both teams are on the outside looking in of the four-team playoff. The Spartans have actually cracked the top-ten landing the eighth spot; while the Buckeyes landed the 14th spot in the latest rankings, despite both teams having one loss and being undefeated in Big Ten play.
The Spartans’ lone loss came on the road in one of college football’s toughest environments at Oregon, who is currently the fourth and final team in the playoff. The Buckeyes’ only loss came at home against what looked to be a promising Virginia Tech team, who has since gone 2-5.
Players to watch:
Ohio State: QB J.T. Barrett- Barrett has done a great job of filling the shoes of Braxton Miller, who was lost for the season due to a shoulder injury. On the season Barrett has completed 65% of his passes and thrown for over 1,800 yards. Barrett is also the team’s second leading rusher and leader in rushing touchdowns. He must play a stellar game for the Buckeyes to defeat the Spartans in East Lansing.
Michigan State: DE Shilique Calhoun- Calhoun is tied for the teams’ lead in sacks with six. He has 8.5 tackles for loss on the season. Calhoun’s penetration and pressure on Barrett will be pivotal in slowing down the Buckeyes’ offense, primarily their rushing attack and the Spartans’ chance of winning the game.
Prediction: Ohio State 27 Michigan State 24
(Photo credit: AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Christopher Gamble is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cgamble531@gmail.com.
