Ohio State Football: Predictions for week 11 game vs. Michigan State

Blake:  Ohio State desperately needs to get going on all cylinders if they wish to complete for a Big Ten title and beyond. Their quest continues in East Lansing, but this week the stakes are raised. The season is on the line as Ohio State faces a program defining matchup against Michigan State.

The Buckeyes will need to establish the ground game to see consistent success against the Spartans. However, Michigan State boasts the top rushing defense in the country as they allow less than seventy-two yards per game.

I expect the first quarter to be pretty stagnant offensively before Ohio State starts to get going in the second quarter en route to a string showing.

I believe the Buckeyes will feed off of last week’s success on the ground and carry it over to Saturday. In a surprise to many, Mike Weber and JK Dobbins put the offense on their back and combine to rush for over two hundred yards.

In doing so, the passing game will open up in the second half for Dwayne Haskins and Parris Campbell, who has been quiet the last couple of games.

It is very easy to feel nervous about playing Spartans, who are notorious under Mark Dantonio to pull the upset. I just have a sneaky suspicion that this is the week everything finally gets put together for the Buckeyes.

It’s now or never for the Urban Meyer and Ohio State. This has to be the week where the Buckeye toughness, potent rushing attack, and stout defense of old all return true to form. If not, the outcome at the end of the season may differ from what many fans and analysts alike thought over the summer and early on through September.

This is it, Buckeye Nation. Saturday is the indicator. My mind says the game will be close and to take Ohio State by single digits. But my gut feelings disagrees.

Ohio State sends a statement – Buckeyes 38 Spartans 13