Michigan State football: 3 keys to victory over No. 4 Ohio State

3. Stop trying to trick the defense

If it’s one complaint one could make about Jay Johnson this year is that he has been “too smart” at times. The trick plays have worked against Northwestern, Miami, and even Michigan. At this point, it has become Michigan State’s identity.

The problem with trick plays is that they rely on catching the defense off guard. If Ohio State is prepared for them, which Ryan Day would be foolish not to be, they won’t work.

Michigan State has also been savvy with playcalling this year, such as when they threw on fourth-and-2 near the end of the game for a big game, leading to a touchdown. They were not as savvy against Purdue, running misdirections and trying to throw off the defense, which didn’t work as planned.

The Spartans getting “cute” with calling plays could cost them. It wouldn’t be surprising if Payton Thorne either takes a sack or throws an interception while running a flea-flicker against Ohio State.

There is smart playcalling and then there’s this. Michigan State has been able to call timely plays, on both offense and defense. It comes in the form of blitzing when the offense isn’t anticipating it and passing the ball when the defense is expecting a pass. Jay Johnson is going to need to have his best game of the year.

The last thing anyone should expect is for Michigan State to upset Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday. But we’re dreaming anyway. The funny thing about dreams is that sometimes they come true.