The Buckeyes (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) look to extend their 23-game winning streak, which is the longest active FBS streak, but they will face their biggest test of the season thus far in the Spartans. Ohio State plays MI State and MI to close out the regular season.
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Sophomore J.T. Barrett returned as Ohio State’s starting quarterback after sitting out the Minnesota game due to a suspension. Winning out sends the Buckeyes back to the Big Ten championship game and strengthens their playoff seeding. The Wolverines and Spartans each have one conference loss this season. Senior quarterback Connor Cook was the latest casualty, suffering a shoulder injury early in his last game, a 24-7 win over Maryland.
The Spartans could look back with regret on a huge penalty in the second quarter that negated a MI State touchdown. On offense the Spartans know quarterback Connor Cook will keep them in the game, but they need a running game to help Cook out.
MI State is searching for something it hasn’t had all season, against a team that can make it more hard to attain than any opponent on the schedule.
The Spartans have the receivers to challenge the Buckeyes’ secondary.
MI State football head coach Mark Dantonio is no stranger to Ohio State’s success.
Braxton Miller’s final season in an Ohio State uniform has been a year later and considerably quieter than anyone would have imagined after his first three seasons in scarlet and gray.
“It’ll be a tough game but I think Ohio State will be victorious”, Former Buckeye, now Pittsburgh Steeler, Will Allen said. This time, it’ll be Elliott who becomes the superstar making all the headlines. This season, it is averaging 1.6 touchdowns a game in the air.
Elliott has 15 straight games of at least 100 yards rushing, not including the 154 and two touchdowns in the 49-37 victory at MI State past year. “Our players, they respect them as well”.
And since the tilt could have the biggest playoff implications of any Week 12 battle, it’s no surprise ESPN’s College GameDay is heading to the home of the Horseshoe to thrill the Buckeyes student body and get the rest of the nation amped up for what promises to be a few compelling action. Baylor played in an epic game last weekend against Oklahoma, but how much more do they have in the tank? Cook is an OH native who wasn’t recruited by the Buckeyes, and the Spartans can’t afford for him to be less than excellent on Saturday. Known to be a big sports fan, Clinton took advantage of his trip to Columbus and took a little time to visit one of the best teams in college football.
“You’ve got to stop them on first down, first”, Dantonio said.
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In two career games against the Buckeyes, Cook is 40 of 85 for 662 yards, five TDs and one INT.
