The Buckeyes will play the Spartans in their 5th game this season as they look to improve their record to 4-1. OSU is 3-0 at home, and MSU like OSU, is 0-1 on the road.
MSU was beaten downfield by the Notre Dame receivers, which could be the role that emerging star freshman Devin Smith plays. The Irish's downfield play was set up by safe sideline passes. The posession receiving game is the key to opening up MSU's defense. The draw play was also very effective against the Spartan defense. This leads me to believe that a scrambling Braxton Miller should have room to run, and it bodes well for OSU's interior running attack. I would expect the Buckeyes to throw the draw and screen into the gameplan. The draw should be used if OSU is connecting on passes, and the screen is typically used to slow a quick pass rush but can also be used if the Buckeyes show they're not afraid to go deep. Only the game's path can depict which will come first, but I bet we see both the draw and screen as OSU tries to get the ball to Jordan Hall.
OSU also features a strong return game where MSU gave up a big early game score to Notre Dame. I expect something big from Hall and Berry when it comes to returns this week.
Defensively, the game plan is similar to when OSU played Miami. The Bucks need to avoid big plays and play strong up front. BJ Cunningham will likely have the company of the lengthy Travis Howard, but MSU has a few other solid receivers; including good TE play; so OSU's DB's need to play solid. MSU has a few good RB's that have the ability to make plays. This will be more of a test than it was facing Miami where OSU was gashed for big yards. The Buckeye DL and LB's have another chance to prove themselves this weekend, and they need to step up to the challenge.
Notre Dame showed how to beat MSU, but this is a different game. Can the Buckeyes step up to the challenge? Can MSU pull off their first win at the shoe since the infamous 1998 upset? Those questions shall be answered this Saturday, but this should surely be a great tip-off to another hard-hitting Big 10 football season.
