In an early clash of two of the Big Ten's top teams, No. 20 Michigan State hosts No. 15 Ohio State Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Michigan State and Ohio State are the two highest-ranked Big Ten teams in the most recent AP Poll. The game will be the first in the Big Ten for new OSU head coach Urban Meyer.
Michigan State is 3-1 almost exclusively on the play of its defense. The Spartans are eleventh nationally in scoring defense through four games, and have allowed 20 points only once. The offense has managed to generate over 400 yards per game, but is averaging only 21 points per game and scored nearly half its points in a blowout win over Central Michigan.
Ohio State sits at 4-0, but has yet to play on the road or against a serious contender. The Buckeye running game has taken Meyer's system to heart, averaging over 229 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Braxton Miller leads the team in rushing, and has not been forced to throw the ball often. He has completed 60 of his 98 pass attempts this season for 754 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Game time, TV channel: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Point spread: Michigan State is favored by 3 points.
For news, discussion and more: For more on Spartans football, visit Michigan State blog The Only Colors. For more on Buckeyes football, visit Ohio State blog Land-Grant Holy Land, plus get more on both teams at Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire.
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