Michigan State Football: Staff score predictions vs. Ohio State in Week 11
The Ohio State Buckeyes come to town on Saturday looking to keep their playoff hopes alive, but Michigan State football won’t let up easily.
Revenge could be on the menu Saturday afternoon as Michigan State hosts No. 10 Ohio State in a huge Big Ten East battle. If the Spartans win, they stay alive in the division title race — hoping for a Michigan loss to Indiana next week and then Ohio State to end the season. If Ohio State wins, it’ll keep its title hopes alive — winning out means winning the East.
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The playoff is still in the picture for the Buckeyes while the Rose Bowl could still be in the Spartans’ future. Saturday will determine a lot about both teams.
Which team will come out on top Saturday afternoon?
Connor Muldowney: Ohio State and Michigan State have been developing an intense rivalry ever since Urban Meyer took over and it’s not going to let up this season. No, this game won’t be anything like last year’s 48-3 embarrassment in Columbus where the Buckeyes could do no wrong, rather it’ll be like the 2016 game where the Spartans and Buckeyes battle it out in a defensive way, but Ohio State, again, will get the last laugh with a field goal as time expires to win. Not having a healthy starting quarterback will hurt the Spartans again.
Final Score: Ohio State 24, Michigan State 21
Ryan Kay: This is not an ideal matchup for the Spartans which is the complete opposite of the matchup Michigan State had as an advantage versus Maryland. What will determine this game is the Ohio State passing attack against the Spartans pass defense and how well will a less than 100 percent healthy Michigan State offense be able to take advantage of a less than stellar run defense of the Buckeyes. Having Josiah Scott healthy gives the Spartan secondary a much needed boast and 28 Ohio-born Spartans will help in terms of not overlooking this Buckeye team.
Michigan State also has motivation as they were trounced by Ohio State 48-3 last season. However, Ohio State has their backs against the wall and this overall is not a great matchup for the Spartans as it was not last season. Uncertainty with the Michigan State’s offense ability to score in the red zone will be a major issue. The Spartans will take this game into overtime but fall just short.
Final Score: Ohio State 31, Michigan State 27 (OT)
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Stephen Robb: There is no doubt that the Buckeyes have talent. However, that talent has not translated to the field. Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins is a difference-maker while Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke has been off all season — some of it is the injuries to line and himself. The question is will Lewerke be able to get the offense moving? The quarterbacks on both sides will decide this game.
Final Score: Ohio State 24, Michigan State 17