The Michigan State Spartans return to the football field this weekend, when they travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in a game that will most likely decide the Big Ten East.
The Spartans are fresh off a 27-24 upset victory over Penn State last weekend, and beat the Buckeyes 17-14 the last time they visited the horseshoe in 2015. Here are three keys to taking down Ohio State again this weekend:
KEEP AIRING IT OUT
The Michigan State passing attack has been on point the last two weeks, with quarterback Brian Lewerke throwing for 400 yards in back-to-back games. Only two other quarterbacks in Big Ten history have accomplished that; Drew Brees and CJ Bacher.
And it’s not just Lewerke who has found success on his own. This young group of receivers led by Felton Davis III have been outstanding as well. Davis racked up racked up 181 yards on 12 receptions and scored a touchdown in the Spartans’ clash with Penn State last weekend.
On the flip side, the Ohio State defense was just torched by Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley last weekend and they have given up a combined 88 points to Iowa and Penn State the last two weeks. If the Spartans want to win, they need to keep airing it out.
PRESSURE J.T. BARRETT
If there’s something the Spartans need to improve on, it’s pressuring the quarterback more consistently. The last two weeks against Northwestern and Penn State have not been good for the Spartans’ pass rush, as they’ve recorded just four sacks in the last two weeks combined.
Meanwhile, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett tends to struggle considerably more when you get pressure on him, and at least disrupt his throws and throw off his accuracy. If there’s been one common theme with the Buckeyes since 2014 when Barrett took over it’s been this; they go as he goes.
And if you get pressure on him, it’s a lot harder for him to get going.
SPECIAL TEAMS ADVANTAGE
I cannot believe I just typed that. However, this has become a reality this season.
Perhaps no punter in the Big Ten has been better than Jake Hartbarger at pinning teams inside their own 10. With the cold November weather settling in, field position starts to become more important than ever. In addition to that, Ohio State has been the worst team in the Big Ten in their kickoff coverage, allowing big returns numerous times, and MSU kick returner Connor Heyward has provided a much-needed spark since he took over kick returning duties. Also, don’t forget about Spartans kicker Matt Coghlin, who kicked the game winning field goal against Penn State last weekend. He’s 9-13 on the season with a long of 46, which isn’t too shabby for a freshman.
Of course, we all remember how Michigan State beat Ohio State last time they were in the horseshoe, right? I’ll leave it at that.
GAMEDAY INFO
- DATE: Saturday, November 11
- KICKOFF: Noon ET on FOX
- LINE: OSU -15
- O/U: 55
DSN STAFF PREDICTIONS
| DSN STAFF | PREDICTION |
| LUKE BOWKER | OSU, 31-24 |
| DON DRYSDALE | OSU, 30-20 |
| AUSTIN HEMMINGSON | MSU, 28-24 |
| ALEXANDER MULLER | OSU, 28-24 |
| AARON NUSBAUM | MSU, 24-20 |
| ROB OTTO | OSU, 42-13 |
| MARK TORCHIA | MSU, 30-28 |
| MICHAEL WHITAKER | OSU, 27-21 |
