First Posted: 11/3/2014
QUARTERBACKS
J.T. Barrett’s sprained knee did not seem to be a problem in a 55-14 win over Illinois last Saturday. Accuracy will be a point of emphasis. He can’t afford interceptions against Michigan State.
Michigan State’s Connor Cook (1,868 yards passing, 17 touchdowns, 5 interceptions) is in the running for best quarterback in the Big Ten in his second season as a starter.
Advantage: Michigan State
RUNNING BACKS
Ezekiel Elliott (709 yards, 5 TDs) lost the starting job to Curtis Samuel (314 yards) last week but each got nine carries. There was no indication from coach Urban Meyer if Elliott will return as the starter this week.
Michigan state’s Jeremy Langford (841 yards, 10 TDs) is on pace for his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. He rushed for 128 yards in MSU’s 34-24 win over OSU in the Big Ten championship game last year and had a career-best 177 yards against Michigan this year.
Advantage: Michigan State
RECEIVERS
Jeff Heuerman and Devin Smith, with one catch each, are the only current Buckeyes who caught a pass against Michigan State last season. OSU needs receivers to get open against MSU’s man-to-man coverage.
Michigan State has four of its top five receivers back from last season, led by Tony Lippett (42 catches, 889 yards, 9 TDs). Tight end Josiah Price has 16 catches and wide receivers Macgarrett Kings (16 catches) and Aaron Burbridge (15 catches) also present problems for defenses.
Advantage: Michigan State
OFFENSIVE LINE
The line is still Ohio State’s biggest concern on offense. Taylor Decker, the only returning starter, has been solid all season but the other starters have been inconsistent.
Michigan State’s left tackle Jack Conklin and center Jack Allen were the only returning starters on the line but the Spartans’ 45.5 points a game scoring average is second only to Ohio State (45.6) in the Big Ten and their 515.2 yards a game in total offense leads the Big Ten. MSU has allowed only four sacks.
Advantage: Michigan State
DEFENSIVE LINE
Joey Bosa’s numbers get more impressive every week. He has 14.5 tackles for losses, 10 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Adolphus Washington and Michael Bennett have switched roles, with Washington playing nose tackle and Bennett playing a “3 technique” as a defensive tackle.
Ends Shilique Calhoun (8.5 tackles for losses, 6 sacks) and Marcus Rush (6.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks) lead the Spartans’ defensive front.
Advantage: Ohio State
LINEBACKERS
Darron Lee might be OSU’s best pass rusher after Bosa. Joshua Perry continues to push his tackles total higher. He leads the team with 70.
Taiwan Jones (9.5 tackles for losses, 4 sacks) is filling the opening left at middle linebacker when Max Bullough graduated . The Spartans also have had to replace another standout linebacker from last year, Denicos Allen.
Advantage: Ohio State
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Ohio State has 14 interceptions in eight games after having only 16 in 14 games last season.
Michigan State free safety Kurtis Drummond (2 interceptions) was first-team All-Big Ten last season. Cornerback Trae Waynes also has two interceptions.
Advantage: Michigan State
SPECIAL TEAMS
OSU kicker Sean Nuernberger is 9 of 13 on field goals but three of his four misses have been in night games.
Special teams has not been a strength for MSU. Kicker Michael Geiger is 7 of 12 on field goals with a long of 42 yards and punter Mike Sadler averages 40.3 yards per punt.
Advantage: Ohio State
