Saturday Spotlight 

(7) Michigan State Spartans at (4) Ohio State Buckeyes 

Michigan State: They’ve come out of nowhere in 2021. This is the true definition of coming out of left field. With a straight face, did you have them ranked seventh in the nation in the second to last week of the regular season? Now, I’ll admit to you, the first time I really got to sit down and watch them play was a few weeks ago when they were hosting the Michigan Wolverines and they came out on top in that game. Let me tell you guys something, Monday Evening Quarterback a few days later was hot! When I took phone calls for that episode, everybody had something to say about them. But here’s my question: Which team are they? Are they the group that dominated in the first two months of the season? Or, are they the team that dropped the ball and fell flat on their faces against the Purdue Boilermakers? Right now, they are in a three-way tie in the Big Ten East. Also, the Spartans have the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. His name is Kenneth Walker III. If I had to compare him to anyone in the NFL, he is a more explosive version of Kareem Hunt. He does all he can to keep his teams in games. Now, the pass rush is one of the best in the Big Ten. They can consistently push up front and get to the passer. They had a big game back in October and this morning, they have another. To the shoe they go.

Ohio State: Each year, they do this. They will look shaky in some spurts of the season, then find a way to turn it around and get it all clicking when it needs to be clicked. After the Oregon loss, the questions were already coming in on them. Have they seen better days? Is their window closed? Some even declared them already done which I feel is nonsense after two games at that point of the season. Now, I know they haven’t really played anyone who stands out like that. As one of my radio associates say on a show I contribute for called “The NerdZone”: They’ve defeated “tomato cans” meaning they have beaten teams that haven’t impressed people and that’s not too far off. I will say during this winning streak, I’ve been impressed with their offense and how they have been able to move the football down the field. They have a power running game with TreVeyon Henderson and three receivers in Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson that make up the best trio of receivers in college football. The Buckeyes offense has been number one in both yards and scoring in the nation. The pass catchers are NFL caliber and C.J. Stroud has completely locked in. Once again, they are closing in on another Big Ten East division title, an appearance in the Big Ten title game and a conference title. They welcome Sparty to town this morning.

Michigan State X-Factor: Jacub Panasiuk– He’s one of the anchors of this Spartans defense. Whether it’s from the edge or the interior, Jacub will find his way to the quarterback with different moves, techniques and pressures. He’s so active amongst that front four. On the season, he has 23 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. Jacub still makes impacts even when he doesn’t get to the quarterback. The slightest amount of pressure can make all the difference.

Ohio State X-Factor: Garrett Wilson– He’s one of the best route runners in the country. Both Garrett and Chris Olave complement each other in a special, yet quiet way. His movements amaze me whether it’s with or without the football. He knows how to free himself to get open. Over the middle, down the field vertically, in the red area, in the flat, it doesn’t matter. You throw it in number five’s direction, he will come away with it. He’s next to take that step at the professional level.

Final Thoughts: I’ve been counting down to this one. As soon as I saw this down the stretch, I said to myself, yeah this will be previewed on the site. Weeks later, here we are. I remember getting my hands on their battle in 2015. This game somewhat has that same feel to it. The first matchup I’m watching is this Michigan State pass rush against the Ohio State offensive line. This will be the best pass rush the Buckeyes will face probably since Oregon in week two. Michigan State has one glaring issue. It’s their pass defense. The Buckeyes must attack that Sparty secondary early and often. When the Buckeyes have that passing game going, they’re nearly unstoppable. Sparty plays a lot of zone coverage which will hurt them tremendously. If Michigan State adjusts to man coverage, look for crossing routes from the Ohio State offense. What will Payton Thorne do? He hasn’t had to do much because he’s had the luxury to hand the ball off to Walker. This will be the best running back Ohio State will play this year. Michigan State will need balance to keep themselves in this game. A nice mix of run and pass.

Prediction: Ohio State 41, Michigan State 24