*If* Michigan State advances to the Big Ten title game, they can beat Ohio State

[No coincidences]

Watched almost every minute of both teams this year. Spartans are really making progress offensively, and they have one of the best defenses in the country (I say one of, because they still lack the speed of some SEC squads).

Wonder what the line would be? Spartans still have to get through their two-game road stretch at Nebraska and Northwestern. But they're clicking on all cylinders right now, and are becoming a much more complete team now that Cook is settling down the QB situation nicely.

[jjgold]

They look pretty good

solid defense too

Might be close

[GoBlue23]

Northwestern is a broken team

Nebraska has no QB and will drop at least one more game

All they need is a split to cruise to the title game

[RavensFan2k3]

Agreed

[TexasJayhawk]

Definitely agree. MSU getting hot at the right time...defense is unfnbelievable

[onlooker]

Michigan -48 rushing yards.

[broadway6]

big fan of this MSU team... would love to see them play Ohio State.

[texhooper]

do they have a neutral spot for the big ten title game?

[No coincidences]

do they have a neutral spot for the big ten title game?

I'm assuming it's Indy again?

[ShogunRua]

Defense is sick. They have the size/front 7 to completely dominate most rush oriented teams. On top of that, they have 2 very good corners (one of them being a freshman!). Offense is looking 'better' lately but lets not get too excited. If you watched the last few games it's pretty obvious they are still struggling. Lots of their points are setup by their defense and great field position. I will say that it's a shame they didn't play Notre Dame a little later in the season though. I think if these teams played now, MSU wins for sure.

[Wilfred]

Defense is sick. They have the size/front 7 to completely dominate most rush oriented teams. On top of that, they have 2 very good corners (one of them being a freshman!). Offense is looking 'better' lately but lets not get too excited. If you watched the last few games it's pretty obvious they are still struggling. Lots of their points are setup by their defense and great field position. I will say that it's a shame they didn't play Notre Dame a little later in the season though. I think if these teams played now, MSU wins for sure.

For the Record MSU should have won that game. I hate to blame officials, but there were several huge miscalls against MSU most being pass interference.


And Ohio State wins that game

[jimminn]

I will be betting on Ohio State if this game happens unless the point spread is over 14

[HOT WINGS]

I will be betting on Ohio State if this game happens unless the point spread is over 14

You will be on Ohio State then for sure. Line will be way below 14 if they play. It will be around -7.5 to -8.5.

[HOT WINGS]

Spartans came to play yesterday like they have been every year against Michigan with Dantonio. If not for that last minute 4th down conversion last year it would be 6 straight. This MSU D is legit and if they can continue to keep this running game going with there O-Line dominating in the trenches who knows. I think they could hang with OSU, but always worry about refs taking over high profile games. MSU plays physical on WR so they need refs that don't call the hand checking and little BS like what happened in that ND game.

[Russinat]

MSU would be OSU on neutral field or champ game. D is serious good and the QB is coming around. I hadn't seen a QB take a beating like Gardner in quite a while. Note to self, remember that when analyzing Michigan game next week...

[t-wizzle]

I'm not so sure about this Coin.

[Deuce]

Team weak on offense. They haven't seen an offense yet anything close to osu either.

[t-wizzle]

Well it looks like this game will happen barring a major Ohio State upset.


Line should be anywhere from OSU -7.5 to 9.5 right??

[No coincidences]

Well it looks like this game will happen barring a major Ohio State upset.


Line should be anywhere from OSU -7.5 to 9.5 right??

Probably similar to the MSU/Wisconsin line two years ago when the Badgers won by 3 or whatever.

[Smoke]

Dumbest thread ever. Spartans offense nowhere near the engine that is buckeyes. No wonder you went bust

[pavyracer]

We will find out how bad OSU is in that game. Great defenses make good offenses look bad.

[billysink]

Watched almost every minute of both teams this year. Spartans are really making progress offensively, and they have one of the best defenses in the country (I say one of, because they still lack the speed of some SEC squads).

Wonder what the line would be? Spartans still have to get through their two-game road stretch at Nebraska and Northwestern. But they're clicking on all cylinders right now, and are becoming a much more complete team now that Cook is settling down the QB situation nicely.

today it would be OSU -4

[No coincidences]

Dumbest thread ever. Spartans offense nowhere near the engine that is buckeyes. No wonder you went bust

Considering the fact that you never get anything right ever -- especially when it's an "original" thought -- I'd say this is good for MSU.

[teaserpleaser]

best defense ive seen but can they score enough Langford is meh and cook is meh ....avg to good players be fun though to see though that buckeye offense vs that d

[onlooker]

[GoBlue77]

Buckeyes will pound the sh1t out of Michigan St lol.... glad so many of you think they have a "shot"...in the words of Richie Incognito, "ni*gah please!"

[jjgold]

Well time will tell

I think game will be close

what will line be?

[No coincidences]

Buckeyes will pound the sh1t out of Michigan St lol.... glad so many of you think they have a "shot"...in the words of Richie Incognito, "ni*gah please!"

Says "GoBlue77."

How's your team doing, champ?

[Tommy Karate]

gotta love osu...airing it out up 35.

[No coincidences]

Spartans are +6. Sounds like they might be Rose Bowl bound win or lose, though, which is interesting. Their motivation dips a little, while Ohio State is now in line to play for a national championship with a victory. Didn't expect those wrinkles before this weekend, but the Alabama and Wisconsin losses have opened new doors for this game.

[Nicksweger42]

I think Ohio State's possibility of a national title bid fills that motivation void for Michigan State. Would love it at +7 but think Michigan State will make this game ugly enough to cover. Don't think Braxton Miller has ever faced a defense of this caliber.

[uxley.2]

I think Ohio State's possibility of a national title bid fills that motivation void for Michigan State. Would love it at +7 but think Michigan State will make this game ugly enough to cover. Don't think Braxton Miller has ever faced a defense of this caliber.

If Alabama didn't lose last week, I would have been on MSU if the number approached +7. Beating a hated rival on literally the last offensive play of the game to win the 24th straight game is so physically, mentally and emotionally draining that I don't even know if Urban could rally the troops for another fight. I think the carrot at the end of the stick (win and you're playing for the BCS title) is more than enough to get these guys jacked for practice this week and most important, the actual game.

I also agree completely about Braxton not having faced a defense this good. That being said, MSU hasn't played an offense like OSU maybe ever. If MSU can keep this game in the 20s, they may have a shot. I just don't see any way OSU (barring ejections to Hyde or the OL) scores less than 28. Conversely, I don't think MSU has (nor have they shown) the ability to pass the ball and OSU, anchored by Bosa, Bennett, Washington and Spence, form a very impressive D-line that hasn't given up much in the way of rushing yards, let alone rushing TDs.

Too many advantages for OSU here, IMHO.

[LT Profits]

Ohio State now only -5.5. Interesting.

[No coincidences]

The other issue with backing MSU is defending Braxton Miller on a fast track. Spartans haven't faced a mobile QB anywhere near his ability level this season, and have struggled defending that kind of player in the past.

On the other hand, OSU's pass defense has been atrocious this year. It'll be interesting to see how Connor Cook handles the big stage. This is basically the biggest game MSU has played in football since the Game of the Century with Notre Dame in '66.

[No coincidences]

Conversely, I don't think MSU has (nor have they shown) the ability to pass the ball

Wait, what? Doesn't OSU rank like 81st in the nation in pass defense? Connor Cook has been pretty damn good since taking over the full-time reins at QB for MSU. He's thrown 17 TDs to just 4 INTs. MSU isn't an offensive juggernaut by any means, but given the fact that the Buckeyes have allowed 24 or more points five times in 12 games, it doesn't make much sense to say the Spartans won't be able to move the ball.