#10 Ohio State (6-1, 9-1) at #18 Michigan State (4-3, 6-4) Post Game

[Brutus Buckeye]

Were I instead an MSU fan, I wouldn't be too delighted about having the Maize and Blue in my corner. 

That's like a game of hot potato in this match up. 

[Temp430]

Well, it feels like an upset waiting to happen. Until I start to think about it.  I hope Sparty’s DBs can step it up.  Haskins is going to be throwing it a bunch and he has lots of talent at the other end.

[Honestbuckeye]

OSU switched from a RPO heavy offense to adding more jet sweep action to help the running game.  I wonder if they use even less RPO action - Haskins has a noted issue of never wanting to hand off if he has an option to chuck it.

good observation. I don't think Ohio State ran many, if any RPO against Nebraska.  Everything was a called pass, often off play action, or a called run.  The OL had been struggling for the reasons you mentioned.

[ELA]

Kind of interesting - for B1G purposes, UM is all green.  But for playoff purposes, seems they should be pro-Buckeye.  

I dont think it matters.  They win out, they are in, they don't, they are out.  But at least a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl are a nice consolation prize in that scenario.

[medinabuckeye1]

The relative strength of Ohio State's offense is passing and the relative weakness of Michigan State's defense is passing so I hope that:

• The weather does not diminish the passing game, and
• The Ohio State Offensive Staff does not feel the need to try to establish a running game that has basically sucked all season.  

As an Ohio State fan I'd rather see us throw the ball 70+ times than see us end up in a slew of third and eight situations after two runs for two yards against MSU's D.  

On the other side of the ball I think the key is turnovers (not that turnovers aren't important both ways).  Ohio State's defense has given up lots of yards to pretty much every competent offense they have faced but they have usually at least partially made up for it with turnovers.  The notable exceptions are the past two weeks when Ohio State has forced just one turnover in two games.  

[FearlessF]

that turnover Saturday wasn't forced, it was given

bonehead comes to mind

[MaximumSam]

I dont think it matters.  They win out, they are in, they don't, they are out.  But at least a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl are a nice consolation prize in that scenario.

Most likely, yes.  But if Oklahoma wins out and looks good doing it, or Georgia wins the SEC, or even Washington State or UCF win out, Michigan would like to have some nice wins in their pack pocket for argument's sake.  If the best win is over a crappy looking 9-3 or 8-4 OSU team, that ain't going to be of much impact for voters.  Also, seeding is an issue - getting a three seed would be preferable to a four seed this year if Alabama continues to kill people.

[ELA]

https://twitter.com/SolidVerbal/status/1059137273780940800

[MaximumSam]

Who will suck less - OSUs defense or MSU's offense?

[ELA]

I'd bet on the 2nd worst offense sucking more than the 6th best defense.

So can the 2nd best defense shut down the best offense?  If Purdue can do it, there's hope.

[medinabuckeye1]

I'd bet on the 2nd worst offense sucking more than the 6th best defense.

So can the 2nd best defense shut down the best offense?  If Purdue can do it, there's hope.

Not saying that Purdue didn't do it, but it is important to clarify how they did it.  Ohio State got plenty of yards against the Boilermakers but just Purdue flat out shut them down in the red zone.  

[Brutus Buckeye]

Haskins broke Art Schlichter's single game passing record vs the Boilermakers, which had also been set in a loss. 

[Anonymous Coward]

Most likely, yes.  But if Oklahoma wins out and looks good doing it, or Georgia wins the SEC, or even Washington State or UCF win out, Michigan would like to have some nice wins in their pack pocket for argument's sake.  If the best win is over a crappy looking 9-3 or 8-4 OSU team, that ain't going to be of much impact for voters.  Also, seeding is an issue - getting a three seed would be preferable to a four seed this year if Alabama continues to kill people.

The seeding point matters, but nobody thinks Michigan controls its own destiny to the #3 seed. That would inevitably require help -- for Clemson or ND to lose. We're just arguing that M controls its destiny to #4.

[MaximumSam]

The seeding point matters, but nobody thinks Michigan controls its own destiny to the #3 seed. That would inevitably require help -- for Clemson or ND to lose. We're just arguing that M controls its destiny to #4.

Well, they don't