Michigan State Football: Report card for win against Ohio State

Nov 15, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive tackle Craig Evans (72) tries to silence the crowd after a 3rd down goal line stop against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive/Defensive Lines: A+

I don’t think there is a grade high enough for each group. Coming into the season the offensive and defensive lines were touted as the best in the Dantonio Era. Last night they showed exactly why those expectations were so high.

This game was won in the trenches, and the Spartans lines dominated the buckeyes from the start.

The offensive line provided lanes and holes for the running game when the odds were clearly stacked against them. Rushing 51 times for just over 200 yards when there is no threat of a pass game is truly an amazing feat. When you are able to control the line of scrimmage like that you mentally and physically destroy a defense, and that is exactly what the Spartan offensive line did.

The defense line added to their amazing performance against Maryland and put on a clinic against Ohio State. Michigan State held the potent Ohio State offense to a meek 134 yards and it started up front. The D-Line did not allow JT Barrett to get comfortable throwing or running the b all. Barrett finished the day with only 46 passing yards and 44 rushing yards.

Ezekiel Elliott was a non-factor as well. The Heisman Trophy candidate had his streak of 100-yard rushing games halted, as he was only able to manage 44 yards on the day and was clearly frustrated after the game attacking the coaching staff with his post game comments.

If the Spartans get production from the trenches like this moving forward they can beat anyone in the country, what they did against Ohio State will be used on future coaching tapes on how to play their respective positions.

Next: Linebackers/Secondary