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Ohio State football: Game-by-game previews

By Peter Burtnett

Ohio State, led by start quarterback Justin Fields (1), was ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll. Now, the Buckeyes and other Big Ten teams will remain idle until at least next spring.ghows-CK-200819941-1a1c9dc7.jpg
Ohio State, led by start quarterback Justin Fields (1), was ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll. Now, the Buckeyes and other Big Ten teams will remain idle until at least next spring.ghows-CK-200819941-1a1c9dc7.jpg /
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The Game is always the most important one on the schedule for the Buckeyes. This one might decide their CFP fate late in the year. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
The Game is always the most important one on the schedule for the Buckeyes. This one might decide their CFP fate late in the year. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Game 7: Dec. 5 at Michigan State

After several years of being in the running for the Big Ten East – including a Big Ten championship and CFP berth in 2015 – the Spartans now have to adjust to life without Mark Dantonio, the winningest coach in school history.

Mel Tucker takes over and immediately has a major rebuilding process, particularly on defense. With just three starters returning, the 7-6 Spartans need to fill a lot of holes on a defense that still ranked in the top 40 nationally in several key defensive categories.

On offense, the Spartans are also without veteran leader Brian Lewerke, who threw for over 3000 yards last year. RB Elijah Collins, just 12 yards shy of 1000 last year, with alleviate the loss of Lewerke, but it could be a rough year in East Lansing.

The history of Michigan State defense could continue, even with so many starters to replace, but at the end of the day, even if there are some struggles for the Ohio State offense throughout the game, the Spartans are not a team ready to beat the Buckeyes.

Ohio State 35, Michigan State 14

Game 8: Dec. 12 vs. Michigan

For the first time in series history, Ryan Day will lead Ohio State into ‘The Game’ in December.

Against the Wolverines, the Buckeyes will face their second-toughest test of the season, and the hunger to beat the Buckeyes has turned to starvation. With just four starters on offense coming back to Ann Arbor, an average offense in many stat categories will have to take a major step forward to beat a Buckeye team that has put up 118 points in the last two match-ups.

The same issue persists for the Michigan defense, which has been shredded by the Ohio State offensive attack in back-to-back seasons. For a defense that ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense, rushing and passing yards per game allowed, and total yards allowed, that will have to carry over into the final regular-season game.

If the Wolverines returned some more production on offense and weren’t losing their two leading tacklers from last year on defense, this game could be worthy of a 2016 comparison. However, with the continued dominance for the Buckeyes in the 21st century and so many holes to fill, the Wolverines once again fall in Columbus.

Ohio State 38, Michigan 17

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With that, Ohio State is projected to finish 8-0 and would be favored in the Big Ten Championship Game against the Big Ten West winner. As the countdown reaches just eight days, Ohio State football is almost in-game week.

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