Michigan State vs Ohio State: Predicting the final score

We try to predict the final score of the Michigan State vs Ohio State football game on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s Michigan State vs Ohio State football game is going to be one of the best contests of the Big Ten season even though Las Vegas is giving the Spartans very little chance to win. A win would give either team control of the Big Ten East division and a chance to play for the conference title.

Let’s take a look at what the writers of Spartan Avenue, and even the editor of Scarlet and Game, think the final score of Saturday’s Michigan State vs Ohio State will be.

Connor Muldowney: Michigan State’s secondary will be under the microscope all game long and will step up to the plate for the first three quarters. Connor Cook will have a solid game, shrugging off any indication that his shoulder is bothering him and Aaron Burbridge benefits from his quarterback’s return, going over the century mark. However, the defensive backs will fold late and the front-seven will have trouble containing Ezekiel Elliott and J.T. Barrett all game long.

Prediction: Michigan State 31, Ohio State 37

Patrick Forrest: I want and hope to be wrong but this is a big task for the Spartans. They keep it close throughout the game but are unable to get the stops they need in the end. Connor Cook shows no ill signs of his shoulder affecting his play as he and Aaron Burbridge connect early and often to get the Spartans going.

The defense plays well early too, giving the Spartans the lead at the half but after the break OSU’s vertical passing game finally comes alive giving them the lead. They close the game out with their running game and Ezikiel Elliot, not allowing the Spartans to posses the ball much in the final quarter with long drives that produce points.

Prediction: Michigan State 35, Ohio State 42

Jesse Ford (Welcome to the team): Whether right or wrong, in my opinion, a lot of Spartan fans don’t carry the same swagger when it comes to those in Ann Arbor or Columbus. If you read the message boards, there are several doom and gloom progniostications (from Spartan Fans), conversely most Buckeye fans feel the Spartans don’t belong on the same field.

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It amazes me, that even after all the success over the past decade that people doubt the ability of Mark Dantonio. He is 5-1 in match-ups against top 10 teams, I would highly doubt that there are any other programs that can make claim to this. Combine that with the fact that while talented, OSU hasn’t really done much to impress in the same vein as the Spartans. Close games with Northern Illinois, Indiana (minus Sudfield) even Western Michigan who hung around in that game until the fourth quarter.

I would argue that they have been just as much of a “disappointment” as the Spartans in that regard. However, to keep perspective for both Buckeye and Spartan fans, your teams are 10-0 and 9-1, respectively.

For this game, it’s time for Spartan fans to pickup a little of that residual attitude from our rivals and believe. Believe in the fact that this coach and team have shown time and time again that it simply wins. It wins in the face of adversity, it wins when there is doubt and it shows the stones to persevere when a portion of the fan base doesn’t it can. The Spartans march into Columbus and surprise everyone… REACH HIGHER!

Prediction: Michigan State 28, Ohio State 24

Daniel Gottschalk: As much as I would like to pick Michigan State to take down the Buckeyes in Columbus, I can not logically argue that they will. Do they have a chance? Absolutely. Especially if they play motivated like they usually do against Michigan and sometimes against the Buckeyes.

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In case you forgot, J.T. Barrett absolutely torched Michigan State’s secondary last season in East Lansing that included first round pick Trae Waynes and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Kurtis Drummond. Barrett is still here and Michigan State’s secondary is nowhere close to last year’s back four, as we have seen all year. Combine that with the questions surrounding Connor Cook’s shoulder injury and playing in a hostile environment, it will be too much for the Spartans to overcome.

Prediction: Michigan State 34, Ohio State 41

Thomas Nikundiwe: If MSU has any chance in this one, it will have to be in a shootout. If Cook is healthy enough to go and can stay clean in the pocket MSU can get enough big plays to keep themselves in the game. This is a game where self-scouting will be paramount since tOSU stole MSU’s press quarters D. If the coaches can figure out how to beat themselves, they can figure out how to beat tOSU.

The defensive scheme is predicated on the other team not having an elite quarterback making elite throws. Last year, J.T. Barrett made those throws. He has not shown the same form this year, MSU has to hope he continues to have a little bit of a down year and misses the looks he will inevitably get against MSU’s secondary.

MSU will have to play its best and most complete game to win, just as Ohio State did last year. If they do, they can win.

Prediction: Michigan State 38, Ohio State 35

Austin Layton, Editor of Scarlet and Game: Last year’s game was a high-scoring affair, but I do not think that it will be to that extent this season. I predict an Ohio State win at home, but more in the range of a 24-17 game.

Prediction: Michigan State 17, Ohio State 24

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