Michigan State vs. Ohio State Live Game Thread
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State Spartans are 3-1 and looking to get back into the win column against No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes for this Saturday night matchup. It is the second Big Ten matchup for the Spartans this season, their first being against Maryland.
Remember the rule of five. The game is over if the Spartans win that key statistical battle. For those who don't remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Spartans have three sacks and give up two, they are plus one. They are plus three if they get four turnovers and give up only one. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game.
This will likely be the toughest game Michigan State plays all season. The No. 3 Buckeyes are loaded with NFL talent and superb coaching and unless the Spartans play a perfect game, this one could get out of hand.
It will be about taking care of the ball. Aidan Chiles has to play the best game he's played this season against the Buckeyes and the young mistakes simply cannot happen. The Spartans will have to find a way to gut it out on defense, too, to have a chance at victory.
Staff Predictions:
Michael France: Buckeyes, 49-17
The Buckeyes are simply too talented, too deep, and too well-coached in this one. Simply put, they have the Spartans outgunning. In a season or two, this game could be competitive. But in 2024, the Spartans are in over their head.
Aidan Champion: Buckeyes, 54-17
The Spartans come out hot, giving Ohio State trouble in the first half. But the Buckeyes make the adjustments at halftime and pick up steam in the third quarter, countering everything Michigan State did well in the first half. The Spartans will commit minimal mistakes and carry over their discipline from last week, but ultimately, the Buckeyes will be just too powerful.
Carter Landis: Buckeyes, 48-13
This won't be pretty, based on the fact that Michigan State is still working on their offense. Bad time have to workshop some things. The rough stretch of the schedule got here before Michigan State knew it.
Zeke Trezevant: Buckeyes, 42-14
In college football, the best roster usually wins. Ohio State has that in this matchup and will win because of it. Michigan State continues to struggle on offense.
Tom Cavanaugh: Buckeyes, 34-27
Spartans play tough but they fall to the Buckeyes in a close battle. Chiles throws for a touchdown with running back Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams rushing for two. The defense will play well but not enough to stop the Buckeyes.
Here's how you can watch Saturday's contest:
TV: Peacock
Venue: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST
Listen: Spartan Media Network
-Lansing: WMMQ (94.9 FM)/WJIM (1240 AM)
-Detroit: WJR (760 AM)
-Grand Rapids: WBFX (101.3 FM)
We'll be keeping you posted with live updates throughout the contest.
START OF THE FIRST QUARTER:
PENALTY: Unnecessary roughness against the Buckeyes.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Buckeyes' Jayden Fielding converts 30-yard field goal attempt. Buckeyes lead, 3-0.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Spartans Aidan Chiles is stopped short on fourth-and-1. Buckeyes take over on their own 20.
PENALTY: Late hit out of bounds against the Spartans.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: Buckeyes lead, 3-0.
START OF THE SECOND QUARTER:
SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Buckeyes Will Howard connects on a 3-yard touchdown to Gee Scott Jr. Extra point attempt is GOOD. Buckeyes lead, 10-0.
FUMBLE: Spartans Jack Velling fumbles, recovered by the Buckeyes.
INTERCEPTION: Spartans' Jordan Turner intercepts Buckeyes' Will Howard.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Spartans' Aidan Chiles connects with Jaron Glover for a 12-yard touchdown. Extra point attempt is GOOD. Buckeyes lead, 10-7.
PENALTY: Holding against the Buckeyes.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: Buckeyes' wide receiver Jeremiah Smith rushes for a 19-yard touchdown. Extra point attempt is GOOD. Buckeyes lead, 17-7.
FUMBLE: Aidan Chiles fumbles, recovered by Buckeyes' Jack Sawyer.
2-MINUTE WARNING: Buckeyes lead, 17-7.
TIMEOUT: Spartans use their first timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Buckeyes use their first timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Spartans use their second timeout of the half.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Buckeyes' Devin Brown connects with Jeremiah Smith for a 17-yard touchdown. Extra point attempt is GOOD. Buckeyes lead, 24-7.
PENALTY: Illegal forward pass against the Spartans.
END OF THE FIRST HALF: Buckeyes lead, 24-7.
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The Michigan State Spartans came out firing on all cylinders. It was clear Smith would not lay down to the No. 3 Buckeyes. The Spartans showed glimpses of brilliance on both sides of the ball against the Buckeyes, despite more costly turnovers in the form fumbles and poor red zone execution.
Twice the Spartans had momentous drives killed by turnovers in the red zone. Quarterback Aidan Chiles continues to look improved with every start. Linebacker Jordan Turner continues to be a force on the defensive side of the ball for the Spartans.
The star-power for the Buckeyes has been the difference. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith made two excellent catches on the Buckeyes’ last scoring drive and the Buckeyes now have a comfortable lead heading into the second half.
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START OF THE THIRD QUARTER:
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