Ohio State Buckeyes Vs Michigan State Spartans Preview, Predictions, Betting Odds, Live Stream Info

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan State Spartans

These two teams met in the Big Ten Championship Game last year when the Spartans prevailed by the score of 34-24 to earn a trip to the Rose Bowl and sent handed the Buckeyes their first loss under head coach Urban Meyer and send Ohio State to the Orange Bowl. Will the Buckeyes get revenge for last year’s game and stay alive in the College Football Playoff hunt or will the Spartans prevail?

Keys to Victory

Last year’s game featured the stout defense of the Spartans matching up against Braxton Miller, Carlos Hyde and the dynamic Buckeye offense, but this year’s matchup features the No. 4 scoring offense of Ohio State against the No. 5 scoring offense of Michigan State, respectively, in a game that could see the winner come down to who has the ball last.

Nov 1, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

For Ohio State to avenge last year’s loss and take control of the East division they need to spread the field against the No. 5 total defense of Michigan State, meaning quarterback J.T. Barrett needs to complete a high percentage of passes against a very good secondary that ranks 15th in passing defense and features one of the nation’s best corners in Trae Waynes.

Barrett has cooled off in the last two games after a blistering four-game stretch following the team’s loss to Virginia Tech, but getting in a rhythm early and giving him confidence against a stingy defense should open up room for Ezekiel Elliott, Curtis Samuel and Barrett to run against the No. 5 rush defense of Michigan State.

Each team has a top-five scoring offense in this game, but the defenses can’t be discounted in this game, especially the Ohio State defense that ranks 18th in rush defense, 13th in pass defense, 8th in total defense and actually allow fewer points per game than the highly-touted Michigan State defense.

Look for Michigan State to work Jeremy Langford early and try and extend his streak of 100-yard rushing games against Big Ten opponents to 13 games and set up Connor Cook to connect with wide receiver Tony Lippett for big plays down the field in the passing game.

One area they can exploit Ohio State’s defense is in the secondary where their cornerbacks are very athletic, but were torched against the best passing offense they played earlier this year against Cincinnati. Downfield passes are essential to the Spartans winning their second in a row against Ohio State.

Betting Odds

Point spread: MSU -3.5
Moneyline: -176
Over/Under: 56

Prediction

Cook leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency on 20-yard throws this year and completes 48 percent of his passes of attempts of that distance and that could be the x-factor in this game with their ability to hit the home run with greater frequency than Ohio State.

Both offenses will find ways to exploit two very talented and productive defenses in this game, but I believe the home field advantage rattles Barrett, the physicality of Michigan State on offense wears down the Buckeyes front seven and the confidence they have in knowing they can beat Ohio State will be the intangible they need to win on Saturday.

Final Score: Ohio State: 27, Michigan State: 31