Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: Three keys to beating Michigan State

By Ryan Stano

Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) looks for room to run after making a catch during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) looks for room to run after making a catch during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16. /
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The Ohio State football team has their final night game of the season tomorrow night in the Shoe. It’s the latest night game in the stadium’s history. The Buckeyes will also be showcasing their all-gray alternate uniforms, so there is a lot to be excited about in this game.

Ohio State comes into this game undefeated and is the number-one team in the country. They would like to stay that way. Michigan State is a bad team that has lost six of their last seven games. The weather shouldn’t be a factor either. It’s a perfect storm for some Buckeye points.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. I can remember in 2015 an undefeated Buckeye team taking on a Michigan State team with a backup quarterback that they were supposed to beat and that ended up being a terrible memory. Ohio State can’t let their guard down.

There are three keys for the Buckeyes to seal the victory on Saturday night. These next two games are about prepping for Michigan. These keys will help with that. The first key is getting the passing game going early.

1. Ohio State football must get the passing game going early

The Ohio State Football team needs to get the passing game going early. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The Ohio State Football team needs to get the passing game going early. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Earlier in the season, the run game was the problem. Ohio State couldn’t get any push up front and get to the second level. With the return of TreVeyon Henderson, the run game is a weapon. Now the Buckeyes need to work on the passing game, which has stalled out the last two weeks.

Kyle McCord hasn’t eclipsed 230 yards passing in the last two games. That’s not going to get it done against Michigan. The Buckeyes have to get him going early to get him into a rhythm. He needs to be as confident as he can be heading into Ann Arbor.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a great guy to throw to to help get that rhythm. He’s almost always open, even if he’s covered. Emeka Egbuka is back and healthy. Cade Stover returns for this game too, so McCord will have no shortage of weapons to get the ball to.

Getting McCord to have a good game against a bad Michigan State defense will help him get his confidence back. The next key for the Buckeyes is on defense.

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