2013 Big Ten Championship Game: Michigan State vs. Ohio State odds, preview and prediction
By Jack Crosby
Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes are one victory away from claiming a spot in Pasadena to play for the national championship. Their offensive onslaught has got them to this point, but to get past this obstacle, they’ll have to figure out a way to get by one of the best defenses in the country in the Michigan State Spartans.
Ohio State completed their second consecutive undefeated regular season last week when they barely survived an upset bid from rival Michigan. It went right down to the final seconds, but the Buckeyes defense came up big in stopping the Wolverines’ potential game-winning two-point try, and sending them into this game undefeated.
As g0od as the defense has been throughout the year, though, it’s the Buckeyes offense that has once again led this charge. QB Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are one of the best one-two punch backfields in the nation, causing headaches for everyone in front of them.
But, they have yet to see anything like they’re going to see on Saturday night in Michigan State.
This Spartans defense is only giving up an average of 237 yards per game and 11 points. They know how to figure out what clicks for every offense they face, and more importantly, they figure out how to stop it.
Date: Dec. 7
Start Time: 8:17 PM ET
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Stadium: Lucas Oil Field
TV Info: FOX
Odds: Ohio State -6
Prediction: Regardless of what you think of the Big Ten, this is everything you can ask for in a football game. This is the best offense in the conference against the best defense. The irresistible force against the immovable object.
This Michigan State defense needs to figure out a way to put the game solely in Braxton Miller’s hands, by taking Carlo Hyde out of it. When Miller doesn’t have that safety valve of a dominant run game behind him, he’s prone to make some mistakes.
The question for the Michigan State offense is whether or not Connor Cook can play consistently and not turn the ball over. Which, I think he can do and the Spartans will pull off the upset.
Final Score: Michigan State 21, Ohio State 17