If the team coming to play MSU this weekend wasn't named Ohio State, expectations might be different. This year's Buckeyes have endured a three-game losing streak and a disappointing offense.
The Spartans, meanwhile, must bounce back from last week's devastating loss to rival Michigan because a bowl game could hinge on beating the Buckeyes.
Quarterbacks
Ohio State, like MSU, has issues at quarterback. Sophomore Troy Smith has started the last two games for the Buckeyes after sophomore Justin Zwick found himself in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Streaks like that don't sit well with the Ohio State faithful and Smith has won the last two as the starter, beating Indiana and Penn State at home.
Smith should be the starter against MSU but don't expect him to do much. He was six-for-eight passing last week against Penn State for 59 yards and no touchdowns.
For MSU, senior Damon Dowdell, once again, is called to duty. Dowdell showed he is capable of leading this offense against U-M. Ohio State's defense is their strong point, so Dowdell will have to throw accurately and effectively.
Edge: MSU (Dowdell's senior status is heavy here.)
Running backs
The Spartans proved last week against U-M they could maintain an impressive running game without sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton, who was a primary ball carrier. After Stanton suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter, running backs Jason Teague and DeAndra Cobb continued to carry the offense, especially Cobb and his 64-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against U-M. The Spartans are the Big Ten's second-best running team, averaging 232.2 yards per game.
The Buckeyes have yet to find a consistently successful back. Senior Lydell Ross was suspended for the last two games, but head coach Jim Tressel said this week he expects Ross to play on Saturday. Ohio State could potentially use four running backs against MSU: Ross (343 yards rushing this season), Antonio Pittman (342), Maurice Hall (124) and Branden Joe (45). Now that's running-back-by-committee.
Edge: MSU
Receivers
MSU's receivers seemed to have broken the curse cast on them that caused all those dropped passes. The drops haven't shown up in numbers for weeks. Junior Matt Trannon could have done more against U-M last week, but he still led the team in receptions that game with four. The depth of this unit continues to be its strength. MSU can send five quality receivers to the line of scrimmage every down if it wants to.
Ohio State has Santonio Holmes and that's about it. Holmes has 39 catches this season; the Buckeyes second-leading receivers are Bam Childress and Roy Hall, both with 16 receptions.
Edge: MSU
Offensive line
Ohio State has worked three new offensive linemen into the starting lineup this season. So has MSU, and MSU's line is getting better by the week. Against the Wolverines, the line handled probably the best front seven in the league. Ohio State's line hasn't been quite as successful. It has given up 19 sacks this season, third worst in the Big Ten. MSU, by comparison, has given up 16 sacks.
Edge: MSU
Defensive line
Three of the four Buckeyes on the defensive line last season were taken in the NFL Draft: Will Smith, Tim Anderson and Darrion Scott. The fourth, senior defensive end Simon Fraser, now anchors a line that exemplifies Ohio State's ability to seamlessly replace graduated defenders. Ohio State is giving up only 18.5 points per game.
MSU's defensive line put pressure on U-M quarterback Chad Henne in the middle quarters of last week's game, but that pressure faded as the game wore on and the linemen's legs wore out. If MSU's line can gain penetration against U-M, it can against Ohio State.
Edge: Even
Linebackers
Senior bandit Tyrell Dortch has grown as a defender this season. There was one play against U-M where he shed a block and made an important tackle before the play really developed. Then, in the third quarter, he forced Henne to fumble on a blitz. Dortch, Ronald Stanley, David Herron Jr. and Kaleb Thornhill have shown improvement as an entire group this season.
For all of the MSU linebackers' improvement, they still have a tough time matching the Buckeyes. A.J. Hawk is tied for the Big Ten lead in tackles and Anthony Schlegel has more sacks than anyone on MSU with 3.5.
Edge: Ohio State
Defensive backs
Junior cornerback Jaren Hayes was heavily blamed for last week's collapse against U-M because he was often the defensive back on coverage when Braylon Edwards took over the game. Don't forget, though, that Hayes and the rest of MSU's defensive backs contained U-M's receivers for most of the game. Edwards' heroics had more to do with his own athleticism than the quality of the Spartans' cornerbacks.
Ohio State cornerback Dustin Fox is one of the Big Ten's best corners. The rest of the group is less experienced, but they have learned quickly enough. Ohio State is third in the Big Ten in pass defense.
Edge: Even
Special teams
Senior placekicker Dave Rayner still has not met preseason expectations. Sophomore punter Brandon Fields is seriously struggling. Fields, who still leads the conference in punting, is no longer MSU's only punter. Rayner will also be used on punts as he was in the fourth quarter (Fields was healthy) against U-M. The Buckeyes have one of the country's best kickers in Mike Nugent. Holmes, a receiver who doubles as punt and kickoff returner, is extremely dangerous. He averages 11.1 yards per punt return and has returned one for a touchdown.
Edge: Ohio State
Coaches
Ohio State's Jim Tressel has won a national championship. That's his edge. Based on this season, it seems like MSU's John L. Smith has done more with less. But that championship is such a big deal.
Edge: Ohio State
