Fresh off a 49-10 win over Rutgers on Homecoming last week, Ohio State looks to keep things humming along, as they prepare to get their first road win of the season against a struggling Michigan State squad.
The Spartans are absolutely reeling after their last two losses, a 34-7 drubbing to Minnesota, and a 27-13 loss to Maryland last week. Now they have to attempt to defend their house against arguably the most explosive offense in the entire country in Ohio State.
For all the history buffs out there, I'm sorry to tell you that the last stand of the Spartans did not occur at Thermopylae in 480 BC. It likely occurred at East Lansing, Michigan on October 8, 2022. Ohio State is favored by 27 points going into this game, and there's no reason to believe they won't roll to yet another win. But let's take a look at the Keys to Victory and see how they can get there, shall we?
Get the running game rolling
The Buckeyes may be without Miyan Williams for today's game. But TreVeyon Henderson is still available. It's time for him to have a breakout game for the season. I know Ryan Day loves to run the Pro-style offense through CJ Stroud, but sometimes there's nothing better than the old Woody Hayes philosophy when it comes to running the football: "Three yards and a cloud of dust." Henderson is averaging 10 carries a game, while having 318 rushing yards on the season along with three touchdowns. Time for Coach Day to let him loose, and let him run wild on the Spartans if he has the opportunity!
If the opportunity is there, light 'em up!
If Ohio State gets the running game going, this next Key to Victory is where they can absolutely roast Michigan State. On the season, Buckeye quarterback CJ Stroud is 92-134 in passing attempts, for a completion percentage of nearly 69 percent. He's also thrown 18 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Not only is he accurate, but he's efficient and doesn't make many careless mistakes with the football. Combine that with an ultra-talented wide receiver corps (even without Jaxon Smith-Njigba), and a struggling Spartan secondary missing one of their senior leaders in safety Xavier Henderson, and you've got a recipe for an absolute field day throwing the football. If the deep shots present themselves, hopefully Stroud lets it fly!
Don't allow Michigan State to get going on the ground
Even though it wasn't that long ago, the days of Kenneth Walker running the ball in a Spartan uniform seem like they're long gone. He's now in Seattle and playing on Sundays. Michigan State is left with a couple of options at running back, but neither is as good as the Heisman contender who used to wear Green and White.
Elijah Collins and Jalen Berger are the two running backs tasked with carrying the load today. Collins hasn't seen much extended action. He's more of a situational back, while Berger, a Wisconsin transfer, only has 59 carries through five games. Yes, he's got productive numbers for when the Spartans do give him the football (301 yards, four touchdowns and 5.1 yards per carry), but neither has been able to be that star running back that Michigan State probably needs, in order at least generate an offensive spark against one of the best defensive lines in the country. The Buckeyes should absolutely feast on the Spartans in this part of the game. If that happens, this final Key to Victory should be much easier to achieve...
Get after Spartan quarterback Payton Thorne
The Spartans absolutely have to get the ground game going. Otherwise, it'll be a long, rough day for Michigan State signal caller Payton Thorne. On the season, Thorne has thrown for eight touchdowns. But he's also thrown six interceptions. His completion percentage is slightly lower than CJ Stroud's at 65 percent. But that's if he's given time to throw the football. If he can't get it going through the air, and Coach Larry Johnson dials up an effective pass rush for Ohio State? This area of the game could get ugly in a hurry.
Prediction: Ohio State 49, Michigan State 14
The Buckeyes lead the all-time series against the Spartans 35-15. But Michigan State's also got five wins over Top 5 Ohio State teams in the past (1972, 1974, 1998, 2013, 2015). While 2013 and 2015 both definitely stung, I think my first heartbreak as a sports fan in my life, was watching the Spartans walk out of the 'Shoe with the shocking upset win in 1998.
I was a devastated seven-year-old kid when I saw that game unfold. Ohio State was a true National Championship contender under John Cooper that year. The top-ranked Buckeyes led 24-9, only to watch it slip away as a mediocre Spartan squad won 28-24, and ruined what might've been a magical season. The coach at the helm of that team was also some young guy named Nick Saban.
While I don't see an upset like that happening this time, you'd better believe Coach Day isn't thinking that way. He's had his guys ready and as focused as I've ever seen them since he took over as head coach in 2019. If they're dialed in and playing their absolute best, there's no reason they shouldn't roll to 6-0, and keep their National Championship aspirations alive and well.
It all goes down at 4 PM on ABC! GO BUCKS!
Sources:
Yahoo Sports, TreVeyon Henderson Stats at ESPN, CJ Stroud Stats at ESPN, Payton Thorne Stats at ESPN, Buckeyes Now on FanNation, The Football HQ on FanNation
Picture Credit: ESPN
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