Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions for top-10 showdown at Ohio State

The similarities between this year’s Ohio State versus Michigan State football game and the 2015 classic are striking. The Spartans and Buckeyes are both ranked in the top 10 again and the winner of this one is likely going to represent the Big Ten East in the conference title game.

On the other hand, the loser is going to have to focus on a potential New Year’s Six berth and strong finish to the regular season as Ohio State gets Michigan on the road and Michigan State hosts Penn State.

Just about everyone is predicting an Ohio State victory here, but the Spartans seem to play their best when no one gives them a chance.

It’s time to get bold ahead of the biggest game of Michigan State’s season.

3. Michigan State wins sack battle

There’s plenty of concern about Michigan State’s offensive line holding up against Ohio State’s defensive front, and that’s honestly valid. The Spartans are down Jarrett Horst and Matt Carrick and they haven’t been playing all that great as a unit this year as it is.

But Michigan State is going to hold up in pass protection, for the most part, on Saturday afternoon, holding the Buckeyes to just 1-2 sacks as Payton Thorne isn’t sent running for his life.

On the flip side, Michigan State’s defensive line hasn’t done a great job in recent weeks with the pass rush but I see that changing against the Buckeyes. CJ Stroud is going to feel some pressure from the Spartans as Jacub Panasiuk and Drew Beesley have big games on the edge and Simeon Barrow eats on the interior.

Michigan State will win this battle of the trenches and finish with more sacks than Ohio State which will surprise some people.