Ohio State Faces Michigan State in Big Ten Conference Opener

The Ohio State Buckeyes, ranked No. 3 nationally, are set to begin their Big Ten conference schedule with a game against the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing, Michigan. Ohio State, holding an undefeated record, has had a commanding start to their season, having outpaced their nonconference opponents by a significant margin. The Buckeyes have an impressive track record against Michigan State, having won their last eight encounters by an average of 30.4 points.

Michigan State, with a record of 3-1, enters the matchup having already faced Big Ten competition earlier in the season, securing a narrow victory against one team before suffering a defeat in their most recent outing. Historically, the Spartans managed to secure three victories against the Buckeyes between 2011 and 2015, but the recent series has been dominated by Ohio State.

Ohio State’s nonconference performance has been notably strong, outscoring their opponents 157-20 in total. No team managed to significantly challenge the Buckeyes, as observed since 1919 when they last started a season with consecutive wins by at least 35 points. Conversely, Michigan State faces a challenge with turnovers, leading the Big Ten with 10, a statistic that could prove pivotal in their upcoming encounter. Their starting quarterback, Aidan Chiles, has shown promise, although he has struggled with interceptions, tallying seven against his four touchdowns.

This upcoming game will be broadcast nationally on Peacock at 7 p.m. ET from Spartan Stadium, with Andrew Siciliano and Colt McCoy providing commentary. Additional streaming options include the FOX Sports app.

Ohio State’s quarterback Will Howard and their defense have been central to their success, despite some injuries to key players. Tyleik Williams, who has been recovering from an unspecified injury, is expected to be absent. Michigan State will be aiming to capitalize on any weaknesses they can create in Ohio State’s lineup.

The Buckeyes have maintained a 42-game winning streak against unranked teams, the longest active record in the FBS. Their last loss to an unranked opponent was in 2018 to Purdue. Ohio State fans are optimistic about their team’s chances under the guidance of their new coaching staff, which includes offensive strategist Chip Kelly and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

The game has generated significant attention, with various media outlets and experts, including The Columbus Dispatch and others, predicting a continued strong performance by Ohio State. Despite Michigan State’s defensive strengths and efforts to improve under coach Jonathan Smith, experts anticipate Ohio State’s offensive depth to prevail.