Despite that success, MI State talks about playing with a chip on its shoulder. And in Columbus, the Buckeyes were facing their own helping of doubt – not from inside the program, but out.
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“Cook will play”, co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash said. “Just coming into this game, no one believed in us”.
The same sort of disbelief was in the tone of a few of the Buckeyes on Monday. MI netted a 7-3 win over Niagara, Penn State swept Sacred Heart and Ohio State swept Canisius. All despite not losing. “They’re not playing great”. “We’re competing every single week, and we’re looking forward to every game on our schedule”.
“My shoulder is good”, Cook said, “I’m going to be ready to go so there is no issue with that”. “It’s going to be a good test, a good measure of where we’re at”. All of a sudden, the disaster could turn into a triumph.Elliott opened Ohio State’s next drive with a 16-yard scamper through the IL line.
When MI State (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) plays at Ohio State (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) on Saturday, it will be the third year in a row the game has been one of the biggest of the season in the Big Ten. Texas Christian at OklahomaIn another game that could go a long way toward determining whether the Big 12 will get in or be left out of the playoff, a pair of one-loss teams will try to stay in the conversation.
Cook threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns in the 2013 conference title game and passed for 358 and two scores in last season’s loss in East Lansing. The Horned Frogs (9-1 SU, 4-6 ATS), who saw their ideal record go up in smoke at Oklahoma State on November 7, weren’t almost as impressive Saturday at home.
Doesn’t matter. All Ohio State’s warts will vanish with victories against MI State, Michigan and then Iowa in the Big Ten championship game.
Herbstreit put it well: “Michigan State has a niche – they find the 2- and 3-star (recruit) that is angry and frustrated, get them to buy into the same cause and to fit their schemes”. MI State is one spot ahead of the Bears.
Fejedelem himself limped to the sideline in the second half with a twisted ankle and did not return although he said he expects to play in the next game at Minnesota.
All of it, ultimately, is fine with the Spartans. “We set up a buffer zone, so there won’t be any large vehicles entering into that buffer zone larger than the size of a van”, Stone said. “Being the underdog is always fun, and usually when I watch sports or watch any sport-related activity, I always root for the underdog”.
A month ago, Ohio State’s defense was explaining why it couldn’t stop opponents from running the ball after allowing 169 yards, 176 yards and 253 yards on the ground against Western MI, IN and Maryland. Fellow juniors Ezekiel Elliott and Michael Thomas are also probably going to declare.
The Illini had chances to keep up with the Buckeyes, but made too many mistakes. “I don’t buy the chip on the shoulder thing”, Meyer said on the Big Ten coaches teleconference on Tuesday.
This line is a little insane, as MI State has an elite defense that should be able to slow down the Buckeyes and make this game compeitive. “But I’m excited for it. I’m excited to see where we’re at”.
Not only did the Buckeyes have fantastic field position throughout the entire game, but the Illinois’ special teams gave up two turnovers. “We want to win the Big Ten and get into the playoff”, he said.
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“Coach Schembechler’s a daily source of inspiration and remains that for me and all the people he coached or was associated with”, Harbaugh said.
