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Michigan State Football: 3 concerns heading into top-10 Ohio State battle

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Matt Coghlin, center, celebrates with Payton Thorne, right, and Cal Haladay after beating Nebraska in overtime on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 291a
Michigan State's Matt Coghlin, center, celebrates with Payton Thorne, right, and Cal Haladay after beating Nebraska in overtime on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 291a /
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Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) runs the offense during first half action against the Maryland Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Spartan Stadium.Msu offensive line
Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) runs the offense during first half action against the Maryland Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Spartan Stadium.Msu offensive line /

2. The offensive line

Michigan State’s offensive line has taken a couple of huge hits over the past couple of weeks with the absence (hopefully temporarily) of Jarrett Horst as well as the injury to Matt Carrick.

The Spartans’ offensive line has been playing fairly poorly in Big Ten play and they need to step up on Saturday against one of the nation’s top pass-rushing teams. Plus, the Buckeyes rank in the top-50 in rushing yards allowed per game. Basically, this defensive line is one of the best the Spartans will have to face this season.

Granted, Michigan State played well against Michigan’s defensive front as Kenneth Walker III rushed for nearly 200 yards and five touchdowns, and Payton Thorne was kept upright for most of the game. If this group can channel that Michigan game success, Michigan State will be able to move the ball effectively despite the Buckeyes having an elite front.

There’s some concern about this matchup because, well, the Spartans’ line has taken some hits and we saw in the first half against Maryland that it’s far from polished.

Ohio State is not Maryland.

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