Michigan State and its fan base are well aware of just how strong Ohio State is. Only a year ago, the Spartans were embarrassed in a top ten matchup with the Buckeyes in Columbus. Junior quarterback C.J. Stroud and the OSU offense picked apart MSU’s defense en route to a 56-7 stomping. 

Riding three straight losses, MSU is not exactly poised for a more competitive matchup this season. 

But isn’t that always the script for the best upsets?

“First of all, you have to believe,” Head Football Coach Mel Tucker said. “You have to strip the name off the jersey and go to work.”

Michigan State has not beaten Ohio State in Spartan Stadium since 1999. Vegas has the Buckeyes as heavy favorites, just shy of four touchdowns. 

Last weekend's loss to Maryland however, provided brief glimpses of hope; but for the most part, it was more of the same as Michigan State's offense was inconsistent and choppy. The ground game was mostly lifeless, as the team finished with just 100 rushing yards. After a strong first half, redshirt junior quarterback Payton Thorne finished with just 221 yards through the air and a touchdown on 44 passing attempts. 

Defensively, Michigan State's front seven was slightly better – four TFLs and a sack aren't exactly inspiring, but it's a step in the right direction. The secondary still looked a step too slow. Maryland's Taulia Tagovailoa earned 314 passing yards and a touchdown against the Spartan defense.

If the Spartans want to have a fighting chance against an elite squad like Ohio State, they’ll have to play to perfection in all three phases. That’s something they have yet to do against a power five opponent this season. 

Scouting the opponent 

Winning four of the last five conference titles, Ohio State has established itself as one of the premier programs in all of college football, putting itself up there with the likes of Alabama, Clemson and the other elite programs. 

After a somewhat disappointing 2021 season (mind you, a disappointing season for the Buckeyes still included a Rose Bowl win), Ohio State looks primed for a resurgence this season. 

Led by Stroud, the Buckeyes have the top scoring offense in the nation, averaging 48.8 points per game. 

“They’re extraordinary in the run game and also in the passing game," Tucker said. "They have arguably the best quarterback in the country."

Last season, Ohio State’s offense was driven mostly by Stroud and an elite core of receivers. This year, the Buckeyes have a bit more balance, featuring a run game that ranks just outside the top ten in college football with 226.2 yards per game. 

That effectiveness on the ground is due in large part to the team’s two-headed monster at running back. Sophomore TreVeyon Henderson, OSU’s leading rusher in 2021, is back for another go. He missed last week’s game against Rutgers due to an injury suffered during warmups, but he could return this Saturday. Junior Miyan Williams is the other side of the elite duo. He leads the running back room in both rushing yards (497) and touchdowns (eight). 

While the rushing attack plays a key role in the offense, OSU’s air raid is still terrifying. Losing Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to the draft hurt, but the Buckeyes have reloaded with the likes of sophomores Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Star wide receiver and NFL caliber-talent Jaxon Smith-Njigba has missed chunks of the season due to an injury suffered in the season opener, but he could return Saturday to bolster an already lethal receiving core. 

And, of course, Stroud has been electric. He has 18 touchdowns and 1,376 yards with just a couple of picks on the season. Michigan State’s glaring issues in the secondary are sure to be exploited by such a dynamic group of players. 

On the other side, Ohio State’s defense has also impressed. First-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has the Buckeyes ranked just 10th in the country in yards allowed per game (263.8).  

“I think he [Knowles] wants to create chaos,” offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic said. “You get a ton of different looks, people lined up in different places.”

OSU’s passing defense has been especially stout, allowing just 153.4 yards per game through the air. 

The Buckeyes don’t have a Joey/Nick Bosa or Chase Young type-talent to punch through offensive lines. Instead, the unit has played complimentary ball, with sacks and TFLs coming from a variety of players. 

In short, Ohio State is running like a well-oiled machine. Ohio State Head Football Coach Ryan Day and his team have their eyes set on more than just another trip to Indianapolis. A lot has to go right for this 2-3 Michigan State team to even keep the game close. 

But if Tucker ever wants to achieve the lofty goals he is setting for the program and start really competing in the Big Ten, it starts with beating the Buckeyes. 

“At the end of the day, if we want to accomplish the things we want to accomplish, we have to be able to beat Ohio State,” sixth-year offensive guard Matt Carrick said.