Ohio State Football: This is Sparta! Analysis of Michigan State
The Spartans charge into Columbus on Saturday, hoping to recreate magic from 2015 against Ohio State and spoil a fantastic start for the Buckeyes.
Michigan State (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) heads into their primetime matchup with Ohio State with a slipping grip on the polls (t-25 in AP and t-23 in Coaches’). Led by Brian Lewerke on offense and a staunch defense, the Spartans could compete in the Big Ten East but will begin their toughest stretch of the season, beginning with the Buckeyes.
To win against Ohio State (which is followed by a road game against Wisconsin and a home date with Penn State), Mark Dantonio will have to recreate magic from 2015, when the Spartans beat both the Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines on the road on their way to a Big Ten championship, and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Even though their win against their in-state rival was fluky (remember Jalen Watts-Jackson and Sean McDonough’s voice cracks?), the Spartans had a tough defense and an offense that made the defense’s job easier.
This year, Michigan State has an up-and-down offense. Against Western Michigan and Indiana (not exactly Ohio State but we’ll give them credit) they scored 51 and 40, but only scored 7 against Arizona State at home.
Lewerke has passed for over 1,300 yards and 10 TDs, while throwing one interception and being sacked four times, showing that he has discipline and that the Spartan offensive line is solid, especially in pass protection.
Contrary to most seasons in East Lansing, the running game has actually been a problem, accounting for only 723 total rushing yards through five games, which is only half of Ohio State’s 1,408.
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Redshirt freshman RB Elijah Collins has rushed for 413 yards, while Lewerke has 147. Nobody else on the team has more than 79 yards, showing that the Buckeyes secondary will be tested the most on Saturday.
The main challenge for Ohio State’s secondary will be Darrell Stewart Jr., who has accounted for 556 receiving yards and 3 TDs on 35 catches. Stewart Jr. is the main target for Lewerke and will be an excellent test for Jeffrey Okudah, who has been on fire for the Buckeyes the last two games.
Leading the Spartan defense is linebacker Joe Bachie, who has 47 total tackles and is the leader of that unit. Defensive end Kenny Willekes will also give Justin Fields trouble as he has totaled 34 tackles and four sacks, which is still impressive even considering that Chase Young has eight.
As a team, Michigan State has intercepted six passes (only two were by defensive backs) and has sacked the opposing quarterback sixteen times. For Fields, pass coverage will be a minor challenge, but the main challenge for the quarterback and the offensive line will be blocking Willekes and others to prevent big losses.
In terms of big plays that wrecked the Buckeyes last year, Collins does have a run of 58 yards while the passing game has multiple 30+ yard plays. However, the Silver Bullets have done an excellent job this year to prevent those explosive plays and should do the same against Sparty.
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Even though Ohio State looks to be the favorite on paper, Michigan State is – almost – never a push-over and should contend longer than any other team has so far this season. If Willekes and Bachie can pressure and limit Fields and force bad throws, the Spartans may give the Buckeyes starters their first real experience of the fourth quarter in 2019.