“I actually feel really good about this game,” said Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker.

Tale of the Tape

The Michigan State Spartans welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Woodshed for a 4 pm kickoff. OSU is the third-best team in the country and Michigan State is on a three game losing streak. This means the Spartans have nothing to lose, which might be dangerous. I believe the most important number of the game is if Ohio State will end up covering the spread of 26.5. If I personally was betting, I’d bet that Ohio State could easily do it and especially against the worst secondary in the country.

What Michigan State Must-Do to Win

Now, if Michigan State was somehow going to win this game, it would be for these reasons. The biggest thing will be establishing the run game. Michigan beat OSU last year because they just ran the rock right down the Buckeyes throats. MSU will have to do the same thing because it presents OSU with less time to score on opportunities. Expect Jarek Broussard to get the most opportunities because of the way he looked in practice this week, with Elijah Collins coming in as well.

There will have to be a pass rush, which hasn’t existed since the Akron game for MSU. Jacoby Windmon is the biggest guy to watch for if that’s going to happen because none of the guys out from last week are most likely going to be playing against OSU either.

Look for a different defense this week as well. I’ve heard you’re going to see some guys playing in positions you haven’t typically seen them in before. Mel Tucker is very high on Jaden Mangham who started at safety last week against Maryland. I would expect him to do that again. Will these defensive changes be good enough to stop the Buckeyes, though?

Ohio State Starting to Run the Ball Effectively

OSU is expected to get TreVeyon Henderson back which is scary in itself especially with Miyan Williams looking like a top 5 back in the country. C.J. Stroud looks like the frontrunner for the Hiesman. MSU will need to push pressure on Stroud and still hope they caught him on an off day.

Jim Knowles is an absolute stud at defensive coordinator for OSU. The Buckeyes have been fantastic at stopping the run and getting to the QB. They play fast on defense, and I could name basically every starter they have and give reasons why you’ll be watching them on Sundays.

Crazy things have happened in college football. This would be among some of the craziest. If MSU did win this game this city might just burn to the ground in celebration.