The Ohio State football team played its first five games at home and now gets its first road test of the season. The Buckeyes are heading to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans, a team reeling in the last couple of weeks. 

These two football teams are trending in opposite directions as Ohio State currently sits as a 27-point betting favorite, which is an indicator to how this series has gone in recent years. Saturday appears to be no different as the Buckeyes boast the top offense in the country against one of the weaker defenses in the Big Ten and nationally. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has notably missed the last couple of games battling a hamstring injury. There is still speculation swirling around his status for Saturday’s contest. Nonetheless, CJ Stroud has multiple weapons at his disposal, namely, Marvin Harrison Jr and Emeka Egbuka at wide receiver and TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams in the backfield. 

Expect efficient production from the receivers on the edge and for the Buckeyes to finally hit some big passing plays down the field. Last week, Miyan Williams rushed for 189 yards and a school-record-tying five touchdowns in a win over Rutgers. Ohio State continues to prove it can beat opponents in a variety of ways, which signals a strong football team. 

In last year’s meeting, Ohio State had a near flow less first half performance en route to a 56-7 victory. Mel Tucker’s bunch didn’t know what hit them as they had no answer. The Spartans needs to be careful of the Buckeyes racing out to a lead again for more of the same. 

Michigan State will need to execute a ball control game plan to keep CJ Stroud and the offense off the field. That may be their best defense of the afternoon all things considered. 

For Ohio State defensively, Jim Knowles has the top-10 defense he promised Buckeye Nation so far this season. The Silver Bullets have played extremely sound fundamental football consistently this year and play even stronger in the second half. Knowles has a unique scheme and attack with various looks, and after halftime adjustments his unit has only surrendered 27 second half points this season. 

I like Ohio State to control the game throughout the matchup as the Buckeyes continue their ascent. Ryan Day’s team might be the most complete team in the country, and they will prove that on Saturday. Ohio State offensive attack looks immune to any coverage or scheme. A 27-point spread seems large, but the Buckeyes can cover. 

Image Credit: The Ohio State University Department of Athletics