EAST LANSING, Mich. — Ohio State's players said all week records didn't matter when the Buckeyes locked horns with Michigan State. The Spartans had nothing to lose on their Senior Day. Urban Meyer and his coaching staff went conservative in frigid temperatures and impossible throwing conditions.
Complaints from the outside world will be there this week as the Buckeyes turn their attention to archrival Michigan. But above all, the scoreboard read 17-16 in favor of Ohio State when it struck zero on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing.
Here are three key stats to Ohio State's 10th win of the 2016 season, one that keeps its slim chances at playing for a Big Ten Championship and making the College Football Playoff alive.
Combined Score Between Michigan State and Ohio State the Last Five SeasonS: 121-120
In an effort to illustrate just how close games between Mark Dantonio's and Meyer's teams are, this tidbit gets first attention. Before Saturday, the Buckeyes and Spartans were an even 106-106 through their last four contests, or since Meyer arrived in Columbus ahead of the 2012 season.
Another close affair ensued even with Michigan State's 2016 ugly record, which now sits at 3-8. Dantonio pulled out all the stops—a fake punt in the fourth quarter in an effort to even the score, excellent use of misdirection to spring L.J. Scott on the first drive of the game and given his team an early lead and a quarterback rotation just to give the Buckeyes something different to think about defensively.
It almost resulted in an upset that would have made Michigan State's season and dashed Ohio State's. But Gareon Conley's interception of Tyler O'Connor with 1:30 left on the clock sealed the deal in an otherwise evenly played game, at least from a statistic standpoint.
Meyer is now 3-2 against Dantonio lifetime. The third victory came by the skin of his teeth on a blustery and stark day at Spartan Stadium.
Ohio State Wins Turnover Battle
Michigan State out-gained the Buckeyes 334-310. Ohio State tallied three more first downs than the Spartans. The difference in time of possession between the two teams was 1:46. The wind forced the ball to remain on the ground, and only Michigan State topped the 100-yard mark because of a 64-yard catch and run by L.J. Scott on the second play from scrimmage that went for a touchdown.
So how did Ohio State win that game? It didn't turn the ball over...as much as its opponent.
Mike Weber's fumble in the red zone ended any chance the Buckeyes had at taking a lead before halftime. But O'Connor's errant throws gave Ohio State's defense just enough opportunities to seal the win.
Chris Worley picked him off in the second quarter, then met Malik Hooker in the end zone on Michigan State's 2-point conversion attempt with under 5 minutes remaining. Michigan State got the ball back at its own 20 with 2:04 and no timeouts, needing to throw to move the ball and win.
Tyquan Lewis sacked O'Connor on first down. Gareon Conley intercepted him on second. The pick in the end zone won't show up on the stat sheet due to an odd rule that doesn't count things like that on conversion attempts, but O'Connor's three picks allowed the Buckeyes to escape.
Buckeyes Win Field Position
Ohio State's average starting field position against Michigan State was its own 35. Michigan State's was its own 22. Before his final boot trickled into the end zone late in the fourth quarter, Cameron Johnston punted six times for 244 yards and down three inside Michigan State's 20-yard line. He finished the game with a 41.6 yards per punt average, a splendid mark considering the conditions.
Additionally, Michigan State had to start three drives inside its own 15-yard line. Ohio State only had to do that once. Tyler Durbin booted his 39-yard field goal into the wind during the second quarter to tie the game, but Ohio State had the wind at its back in the final period.
During a game where weather forced each side to adjust its play calling, winning field position was essential. The Buckeyes did that by just enough to get the job done.
