Ohio State came out of their bye week last week against Nebraska and while it was not the prettiest, the Buckeyes did survive to improve to 8-1. Some things seemed solved last week as the run game got going which has been an issue for the Buckeyes most of the season. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes they are not playing a Nebraska team this week that had not been able to stop the run all season. This weekend the Buckeyes will travel to East Lansing to face a Michigan State team who has the number one run defense in the country. The Buckeyes have has success in East Lansing, they have not lost there since 1999. Ohio State has had their share of struggles of late, but the Spartans have been injury prone all season and have struggled offensively most of the season. The Buckeyes weakness this season has been giving up big plays and struggling on defense, while Michigan State has struggled offensively. Something has to bend Saturday so what should we expect?
Offensively this season the Spartans have dealt with some injuries and they have struggled mightily at times. Felton Davis is the biggest loss for this offense when they lost him for the season against Michigan a few weeks ago, he had 31 receptions for 474 yards and 4 TDs this season. The next receiver for the Spartans Cody White only has 22 catches for 320 yards and 2 TDs, so for a Buckeyes defense that has given up big plays in the air not having to deal with Felton Davis could play a big factor. LJ Scott has been up and down this season health wise and has not produced like how he has in the previous years for the Spartans. This season Scott only has 180 yards rushing on 55 carries, Connor Heyward leads the Spartans this season on the ground as he has 358 yards on the season while averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 5 TDs. Brian Lewerke has struggled this season at quarterback for the Spartans, he has 8 TDs to 8 INT this season and is only completing 55.9% of his passes on the season. He has also battled injuries and Michigan State very well could play two quarterbacks against the Buckeyes on Saturday. Backup Rocky Lombrdi has appeared in the last three games for the Spartans, he started to weeks ago when Lewerke was too injured to play and he played well throwing for over 300 yards and 2 TDS. Ohio State must be ready for both quarterbacks Saturday afternoon.
Defensively Michigan State has the number one rush defense in the country. With the weather expected to be windy with a chance of snow the Buckeyes will have to run the ball well. The Spartans pass defense is very average at best, it just made the cut for top 100 pass defenses. However, we do not know how teams will be affected by the weather throwing the ball on Saturday. With that, this Spartans defense has some players on their defense that the Buckeyes will need to know where they are at all times. Joe Bachie leads the team in tackles with 68 this season and he is all over the field for the Spartans. He also has 1 INT and 3 forced fumbles on the season, defensive end Kenny Willekis is a guy that the Ohio State offensive line has to slow down. He has 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks on the season. If the Buckeyes want to run the ball successfully Saturday knowing where Bachie and Willekis are will be a good place to start. In the secondary safety Khari Willis leads the team with 2 INT and also has 7 pass breakups to go with a forced fumble. The secondary has been the Spartans weakness, so look for Ohio State to take a few shots down the field on Saturday.
When these two teams get together, the game usually comes down to the last few minutes (except Ohio State’s 48-3 blowout win last year). Every possession is crucial and every play is important, for the Spartans they have a kicker who has been virtually automatic this season which could be a factor in this game. Matt Coghlin has not missed an extra point this season and is 12/13 on field goal attempts with a long of 49. The Buckeyes must be ready for Michigan State to throw every trick they have in the playbook at them, which could be a fake field goal or punt at any time in the game. For Ohio State to win this game they need to establish a run game, the weather could provide problems throwing the ball, so establishing a run game early is key. They also need to make tackles in open space, this Michigan State offense has struggled so if the Buckeyes can make them drive down the field multiple times and not allow the big play they will be in good shape. Without Felton Davis I do not think this Spartans offense will consistently be able to maintain long drives and I think Brendan White will see more playing time along Jordan Fuller and it will benefit the Buckeyes. The offense will struggle at times but I do believe they can move the ball against this defense. Expect Ohio State to win this game, it will be close once again, but the Buckeyes will be right in the thick of the College Football Playoff with a win Saturday.
PREDICTION: Ohio State 24-20
Article by Connor Beaudoin
The Ohio Sports Blog 