They may need a little luck, but Ohio State is still very much in the playoff picture. So that’s three, which leaves just one potential spot for Ohio State to steal away from the SEC should Florida manage to down No. 2 Alabama.
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MI came into the game in the same position as Ohio State in terms of the standings in the Big Ten’s East Division. They won most of the battles against Penn State’s revamped defensive line, which had Anthony Zettel at end for the first time in two years and Tarow Barney making his first start at tackle.
Griffith emerged as an Iron Bowl hero for the Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) two years after his last play attempt touched off the Tigers’ winning Kick Six play. The selection committee protocol emphasizes conference championships and Ohio State can’t win one.
Michigan State (11-1, 7-1) will play in the Big Ten title game for the third time in five seasons.
The Urbanization of the Buckeyes offense had resulted in a 42-13 demolition, the most lopsided victory over MI in Ann Arbor since 1961.
“I just pray for the opportunity to go out there and repeat what we did a year ago”, Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott said Saturday.
Michigan State is looking to avoid losing their second game of the season.
Yes, the Spartans got hosed on Nebraska’s last touchdown-Cornhuskers receiver Brandon Reilly was clearly out of bounds before he ran back onto the field and caught the decisive 30-yard pass. But Michigan State’s defense did not deserve to win that game. The Wolverines (9-3, 6-2, No. 10 playoff standings) could not stop their rivals from running at will. “Credit to the offensive coaches and the offensive linemen, they got it done”.
Elliott has 3,812 yards rushing and passed Eddie George for No. 2 on the school’s career rushing list. Both of these games match up at-large teams and since there is still a fair amount of football to be played here, it’s harder to project a possible opponent. I think that’s kind of been a cornerstone of their program.
Wormley agreed that the gap to be closed on the leaders isn’t wide, adding, “I don’t think anyone really gave us a chance this year except for us”.
“I’m really happy for him”. In a game like this you’ve got to be able to run the ball and play defense. “He’s one of best players that I’ve ever been around”.
Ohio State scored on its first four possessions of the second half on a 25-yard pass from Barrett to Jalin Marshall, a 13-yard run by Barrett, a 10-yard run by Elliott and a 17-yard run by Barrett. MSU got a 77-yard fumble return for a touchdown from Demetrious Cox; a 13-yard Malik McDowell interception return for a touchdown after Shilique Calhoun tipped a pass, and a 9-yard cherry-on-top touchdown run from center Jack Allen, one of 23 seniors honored before the game. The senior came back Saturday and was brilliant against Penn State (7-5, 4-4). Rudock and Bosa played together at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Rudock was 19 of 32 for 263 yards and a TD. This takes the all time series record to 58-48-6 against Ohio State. Urban Meyer improved to 4-0 versus MI as Ohio State coach…. Ohio State fans at the Big House knew they needed help, and in the second half began chanting: “Go Penn State!”.
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MI trailed the entire game and pulled within four points twice in the first half. The more likely candidate for the final spot would be Stanford, coming off a huge 38-36 win over Notre Dame in what might have been the best game of the 2015 season. “OH-IO!” toward the end of another blowout.
