3 keys to victory for Michigan State football vs. Ohio State in Week 5

This is how Michigan State can beat Ohio State.

Michigan State's Aidan Chiles throws a touchdown pass against Prairie View A&M during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Michigan State football has their biggest challenge of the season in front of them on Saturday as they welcome the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes to East Lansing.

There’s no bigger chance for Jonathan Smith to earn a signature win this season than against the top team in the Big Ten in front of a packed Spartan Stadium crowd after a heartbreaking loss last week. Can he do it though is the question.

The odds are stacked against MSU, but here are three things they can do that will help them pull off the upset.

1. Limit turnovers

This is an important key every game, but when you’re as big of an underdog as Michigan State is then it matters that much more.

Michigan State will not win this game if they have the same turnover problems we’ve seen all season. I won’t go as far to say that they need to have zero turnovers, but anything more than one will be nearly impossible to overcome.

So Michigan State needs to prioritize taking care of the ball, even if that means being a little more conservative in their play calls. The last thing MSU needs to do is help Ohio State out, so limiting turnovers may just be the most important thing to do this Saturday.

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