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Michigan State Football: Preview, prediction vs. Ohio State in Week 11

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for yards after a second half catch in front of Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for yards after a second half catch in front of Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football travels to Columbus for a big rivalry game against Ohio State in Week 11. Here’s what you need to know.

What a season it’s been. Michigan State’s improbable march to Indianapolis continues on Saturday afternoon as the Spartans get a crack at No. 13 Ohio State. Being ranked one spot ahead of the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff poll hasn’t meant much to Vegas since the Spartans are still huge underdogs.

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Mark Dantonio will have his guys ready to play, though. Both Michigan State and Ohio State are 7-2 with 5-1 marks in Big Ten play. This game is essentially for all the marbles seeing as whoever wins will be in sole possession of first place, controlling their own destiny in the final two weeks.

Not many saw this game as a potential play-in for the Big Ten Championship, but that’s how it has turned out and Ohio State vs. Michigan State has been a must-see game just about every year Urban Meyer has been with the Buckeyes. Will this year be any different? Probably not.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Michigan State vs. Ohio State game:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 11
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Venue: Ohio Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

Offensively, the Spartans need to stick with what’s been working. Let Brian Lewerke air the ball out against the vulnerable Buckeye defense. The receivers are talented enough to make plays on the ball, so Lewerke just needs to continue to trust them. Obviously giving the run a shot will help, too, but against that front-seven, it won’t be easy.

On defense, the Spartans need to get pressure on JT Barrett and contain him. He’s hurt Michigan State before in open space and the Spartans need to make him throw the ball instead of tucking to run. He won’t beat many teams with only his arm. Working to get pressure on Barrett will be a major key because we already know the Spartans can stop the run adequately.

Betting Odds

All odds via SportsBook Review

Line: Ohio State -17
Over/Under: 55.5

Next: MSU Football: Report card for win over Penn State

Prediction

This could very well be another instant classic in the series rivalry and it will come down to who turns the ball over less. Michigan State won’t be rattled by the hostile atmosphere as it has dealt with it before but the Buckeyes will still cause some turnovers from Brian Lewerke and even a forced fumble on a receiver. The Spartan secondary will struggle early, but come on late and the game will come down to the final minutes with JK Dobbins scoring the go-ahead touchdown with little time remaining.

Final Score: Michigan State 21, Ohio State 27

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