Ohio State's first road test of the season is here.
Too bad it probably won't be much of a test. The Buckeyes have one of the nation's best offenses, and the Spartans have one of the nation's worst defenses in 2022. That's not a good combo for Mel Tucker and Michigan State.
Ohio State should exploit their opponent's weaknesses several times on Saturday behind the talented arm of C.J. Stroud and his next-level receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Ebugka and Julian Fleming. Of course, Jaxon Smith-Njigba could also give it a go this weekend, but I'm not holding my breath.
In the running game, Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson are both starters in the mind of Tony Alford, and Ryan Day believes they've both been effective in their respective roles this season. Day stressed the importance of running the football while on the road in the Big Ten, so I'd love to see the Buckeye offense also rely heavily on getting the football into their Henderson's hands this afternoon.
On defense, Jim Knowles continues to deliver for the Silver Bullets. Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers have unlocked a new gear and the defensive line as a whole has impressed in several different areas. Ohio State should have a dominant day against the Michigan State offense, helping Ohio State claim another blowout win in conference play.
The Buckeyes win this one big, 56-13.
TODAY'S MENU. There’s an incredible slate of college football games on tap for Saturday. I've bolded the ones I find intriguing but feel free to look at the whole selection.
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville at Virginia | 12:00pm | ACCN |
| Arkansas at 23 Mississippi State | 12:00pm | SECN |
| Missouri at Florida | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| 8 Tennessee at 25 LSU | 12:00pm | ESPN |
| 17 TCU at 19 Kansas | 12:00pm | FS1 |
| Texas vs. Oklahoma (in Dallas, TX) | 12:00pm | ABC |
| 4 Michigan at Indiana | 12:00pm | FOX |
| Purdue at Maryland | 12:00pm | BTN |
| Buffalo at Bowling Green | 12:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan | 12:00pm | CBSSN |
| Akron at Ohio | 2:00pm | ESPN3 |
| Georgia Southern at Georgia State | 2:00pm | ESPN3 |
| USF at 24 Cincinnati | 2:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Kent State at Miami (Ohio) | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Ball State at Central Michigan | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Virginia Tech at Pitt | 3:30pm | ACCN |
| Middle Tennessee at UAB | 3:30pm | Stadium |
| East Carolina at Tulane | 3:30pm | ESPNU |
| Tulsa at Navy | 3:30pm | CBSSN |
| Toledo at NIU | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Wisconsin at Northwestern | 3:30pm | BTN |
| Texas Tech at 7 Oklahoma State | 3:30pm | FS1 |
| Auburn at 2 Georgia | 3:30pm | CBS |
| Liberty at UMass | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| 11 Utah at 18 UCLA | 3:30pm | FOX |
| 21 Washington at Arizona State | 4:00pm | P12N |
| 3 Ohio State at Michigan State | 4:00pm | ABC |
| Duke at Georgia Tech | 4:00pm | RSN/ESPN3 |
| North Carolina at Miami (FL) | 4:00pm | ESPN2 |
| 9 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt | 4:00pm | SECN |
| WKU at UTSA | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Appalachian State at Texas State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UTEP at Louisiana Tech | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southern Miss at Troy | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| James Madison at Arkansas State | 7:00pm | NFLN |
| Air Force at Utah State | 7:00pm | FS1 |
| Wyoming at New Mexico | 7:00pm | CBSSN |
| UConn at FIU | 7:00pm | ESPN3 |
| South Carolina at 13 Kentucky | 7:30pm | SECN |
| 20 Kansas State at Iowa State | 7:30pm | ESPNU |
| Washington State at 6 USC | 7:30pm | FOX |
| Iowa at Illinois | 7:30pm | BTN |
| 5 Clemson at Boston College | 7:30pm | ABC |
| 16 BYU vs. Notre Dame (in Las Vegas, NV) | 7:30pm | NBC/Peacock |
| Army at 15 Wake Forest | 7:30pm | RSN/ESPN3 |
| Coastal Carolina at ULM | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Texas A&M at 1 Alabama | 8:00pm | CBS |
| Florida State at 14 NC State | 8:00pm | ACCN |
| 12 Oregon at Arizona | 9:00pm | P12N |
| Fresno State at Boise State | 9:45pm | FS1 |
| Oregon State at Stanford | 11:00pm | ESPN |
BACK TO THE BUCKEYES. Earlier this week, we ran a poll that asked which Ohio State loss to Michigan State hurt the most as a Buckeye fan. The winner was the 1998 matchup between the programs – a game that ended 28-24 in favor of the Spartans.
I don't share this only to rub salt in the wounds for you all. That's not my intention. The purpose of showing you clips from one of the most devastating losses in Ohio State football history is that Michigan State could be trying to recreate some of the magic from that game in 2022.
On Saturday, Michigan State will wear helmets that are similar (if not identical) to the ones the Spartans wore when they upset Ohio State in the 1998 season. While it could be a coincidence, I believe it's pretty easy to read between the lines and find that they are looking to recreate some of the magic their team had against the Buckeyes long ago.
The Man in the Arena #RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/zc44YaF96v
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) October 6, 2022
In my opinion, this move from Michigan State should make this year's Ohio State team want to bury the Spartans ever more to honor the former Buckeyes who suffered an untimely defeat to their Big Ten rival, likely costing them a chance to win the national championship.
But, again, that's just my opinion. I'm taking the 27 points in favor of Ohio State and smashing the over. The Buckeyes didn't need any bulletin board material to cover the spread because they'll probably do that anyway, but I'm sure a little fuel to the fire makes a big win that much sweeter.
MY PICKS. Making picks on college football games is hard, but I'm having fun doing them. Here are a few more selections for the Week 6 slate that are sure to be right!
2022 RECORD: 7-8
- No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas (+6.5) - ESPN College GameDay is in Lawrence, Kansas, for the first time ever. Do you really think that Lance Leipold and Jalon Daniels are going to squander that opportunity for the Jayhawks? Rock Chalk all day, baby.
- Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama (-24.5) - I don't really like either of these teams, but I love the matchup. Nick Saban picked a fight with Jimbo Fisher in the offseason, and Fisher retaliated strongly. Those aren't things that Saban forgets easily. Alabama is coming to end the Aggies for good on Saturday.
- Tulsa at Navy (+5.5) - Upset special! Navy is 1-3 this season, but they have an impressive win over East Carolina in overtime. I've also loved how they've competed through their first four games. Give me the Midshipmen and the amazing triple option this weekend.
THE SPARTAN DOSSIER. We had a full week of coverage leading up to the Michigan State game. Here is everything you need to know about Ohio State's matchup with the Spartans:
- Five Things to Know About Michigan State
- Day Previews MSU, Talks Henderson, JSN
- Far More Than a Consolation Prize
- Health Concerns Costing Kourt a Bigger Role
- The Situational: Pitch Perfect
- Michigan State Game Poster
- Mic Check: Michigan State
- Players Preview Michigan State Matchup
- Egbuka Will Stay Agressive Catching Punts
- Harrison at DT Great for Buckeyes
- MSU the "Most Skilled Team We've Played"
- Across the Field: Michigan State
- Michigan State Game Trailer
- Michigan State Roundtable
- Michigan State Preview
- Status Report
SONG OF THE DAY. "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses.
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