Michigan State Football: Staff score predictions vs. Ohio State in Week 11
Michigan State football hits the road in Week 11 to take on No. 13 Ohio State with a trip to the Big Ten Championship on the line.
Mark Dantonio has done a fantastic job with Michigan State this season. It’s not easy to go from 3-9 to 7-2 and a possibility of winning 10 games, but the Spartans are currently in that position. Winning out would ensure a Big Ten East title, but it starts with Ohio State this week.
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The Buckeyes have always been a tough team to beat, especially with Urban Meyer at the helm. However, Dantonio and the Spartans seem to have the recipe for victory against the vaunted Buckeyes. This year, Ohio State is a massive (17 points, per Vegas) favorite.
Could an upset be on the horizon? Our staff takes a stab.
Connor Muldowney: The line of 17 points is almost criminal. Michigan State has played Ohio State tough over the past five years since Urban Meyer took over and this will be yet another close battle. Down 24-17 with under five minutes left, Brian Lewerke will hit Felton Davis III for a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone. Unfortunately, that leaves too much time for the Buckeyes to answer and they will give Michigan State a taste of its own medicine. With just seconds left, but Buckeyes will hit a game-winning field goal.
Final Score: Michigan State 24, Ohio State 27
Michael Briggs: Is this Michigan State squad a team of destiny? We’ll likely get our answer Saturday in the Spartans’ toughest game of the season. Ohio State is coming off of a shocking loss to Iowa and is likely out of the College Football Playoff race even if it wins out. Michigan State, meanwhile, is thrilled to control its own destiny in the race for the Big Ten title. Like last week, when Penn State clearly didn’t want it badly enough, there is a question of whether or not Ohio State cares as much as the Spartans do.
That said, I expect Urban Meyer to have his team motivated. The Buckeyes simply do not lose back-to-back games under him, irregardless of their record. This will be closer than Las Vegas oddsmakers predict, but the Spartans will fall short.
Final Score: Michigan State 20, Ohio State 30
Adam Zdroik: If Ohio State won last week, my pick may have been different, but I’m not going against Urban Meyer off a loss. It won’t be easy, but the Buckeyes get enough done at home with J.T. Barrett winning through the air.
Final Score: Michigan State 17, Ohio State 23
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Stephen Robb: Michigan State and Ohio State square off this Saturday at The Horseshoe. I feel confident the Spartans can win this game not because of last week’s win against Penn State but due to last year’s contest. Michigan State failed on a two-point conversion to lose. Last year, a 3-9 Spartan team almost beat a College Football Playoff team. That alone should tell us how important this matchup is to the Spartans.
Every game is important as coach Mark Dantonio would tell but this game in particular is meaningful to the players who grew up in Ohio. It will be a fierce game because Ohio State is coming of a tough blowout loss to Iowa and MSU is finding its offensive stride in the passing game.
Final Score: Michigan State 31, Ohio State 24