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Teams the Buckeyes Can’t Afford To Overlook in 2015

By Kyle Sumner McKinnon

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Nov 8, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) scrambles with the ball during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

In the minds of many, the only team that stands in the way of the Buckeyes making it back to the College Football Playoff, let alone the Big Ten Championship game, is by far and away Michigan State. In the past four years, every game between these two has been a nail-biter.

Well, besides last season’s 49-37 drubbing of the Spartans in East Lansing.

Regardless, Michigan State has been a thorn in the side of the Buckeyes for some year’s now and that should continue into 2015 with many familiar faces returning for the Spartans.

Why the Spartans have a chance:

Out of all the teams on this slideshow, the Spartans stand alone in having it capably together on both offense and defense.

Defensively, the Spartans are still going through a bit of a makeover with key playmakers in cornerback Trae Waynes, linebacker Taiwan Jones, safety Kurtis Drummond, and defensive lineman Marcus Rush all now trying to create a name for themselves in the NFL.

Make no mistake though, their defense returned more than enough talent to call themselves a top-10 unit again in 2015. Famed defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi may be gone, but expect another stout defense that’s led by one of the more formidable defensive lines in country, featuring the likes of former five-star recruit Malik McDowell and All-Big Ten lineman Shilique Calhoun.

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    • Despite the losses of starting wide receivers Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery, as well as running back Jeremy Langford, the Buckeyes should look for a more polished group come Week 12.

    Senior quarterback Connor Cook is at the helm once again, protected by a stout offensive line that includes their “heartbeat” Jack Allen, and potential top-five draft pick Jack Conklin.

    The Spartans also have a young stable of backs that include Gerald Holmes, Madre London, and heralded freshman LJ Scott, all ready to seize the spotlight with Langford now gone.

    A deep receiving core headed by a pair of seniors, Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings Jr. to be exact, looks to seamlessly replace the production that was lost to the pros.

    This heavyweight matchup will likely come down to the wire in Columbus. It’ll be Cook’s third time seeing the Buckeyes in as many years and if the Spartans’ defense can win their fair share of battles at the line of scrimmage, their senior quarterback might just get the last laugh.

    Next: Michigan Wolverines

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