Aaron's Analysis
128 Michigan State Spartans plus 6 over Ohio State Buckeyes
The #10 Michigan State Spartans (11-1) and the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0) travel to Indianapolis this week to face off in the Big 10 Championship Game. A victory for the Buckeyes will likely land them in the BCS Championship Game to play for the national title, while a victory for the Spartans would give them an invitation to play in the Rose Bowl. This one looks to be billed as the Buckeye high powered offense versus the Spartans dominating defense. The Buckeyes score an average of 48.2 points per game, which ranks them #3 in the nation, and their 530.5 total yards per game ranks them #6. The Spartans, on the other hand, allow just 11.8 points per game (6 points or fewer to five of their last six opponents), which ranks them #4 and are #1 allowing 237.7 total yards per game. Since dropping a 17-13 decision to Notre Dame at South Bend earlier this season, the Spartans have won eight straight. Last week, they defeated Minnesota 14-3. As for the Buckeyes, they are coming off of a 42-41 exhausting and draining victory over rival Michigan last week, a game that ended up being decided by an unsuccessful two point attempt by the Wolverines with 32 seconds left. In that game, the Buckeyes surrendered a total of 603 yards. Over their last three games, they have allowed a total of 90 points, 406 yards rushing (135.3 average) and 1,059 yards passing (353 average, 255.8 yards per game on the season). The Spartan offense should be able to take advantage. Led by running back Jeremy Langford, the Spartans average 186.2 yards per game rushing. Langford is currently riding a seven game streak of 100 yards or more rushing efforts, with 1,329 total yards and 17 TDs from scrimmage on the season. Spartan QB Connor Cook and his talented receivers should be able to put up some yards versus a suspect Buckeye secondary. Cook has passed for 2,119 yards, with 58.2% completions and a solid TD to INT ratio of 17 to 4. He also has gained 91 yards and 1 TD rushing. Among his capable receivers are Bennie Fowler (31 catches for 496 yards and 6 TDs), Tony Lippett (35 catches for 454 yards) and Macgarrett Kings, Jr. (34 catches for 394 yards and 3 TDs). Through the efforts of QB Braxton Miller and running back Carlos Hyde, the Buckeyes have managed 321.3 yards per game rushing (#2). Unfortunately for them, they are going up against a Spartan defense allowing just 64.8 yards per game and a season total of just 5 TDs on the ground, at just 2.23 yards per carry. Led by Miller, the Buckeyes have only managed to pass for 147.7 yards per game over the last three, an average of 209.3 yards per game on the season (#83). They should struggle versus a Spartan secondary allowing just 172.9 yards per game. Although Miller and Hyde could very well put up some good rushing numbers here, a tough Spartan defense should be able to keep them in check. Spartan back Jeremy Langford should be able to put up some yards versus a Buckeye defense that has had its share of trouble versus the run as of late, and Connor Cook should be able to put up a good effort versus a suspect secondary. The Spartans should be able to at least cover the number here, but my forecasted score below reveals how I believe they should be able to pull out the outright upset victory, ending the 24 game winning streak of the Buckeyes and their bid for a national title.
SPARTANS 31-28 (3 Units)
128 Michigan State Spartans plus 6 over Ohio State Buckeyes
The #10 Michigan State Spartans (11-1) and the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0) travel to Indianapolis this week to face off in the Big 10 Championship Game. A victory for the Buckeyes will likely land them in the BCS Championship Game to play for the national title, while a victory for the Spartans would give them an invitation to play in the Rose Bowl. This one looks to be billed as the Buckeye high powered offense versus the Spartans dominating defense. The Buckeyes score an average of 48.2 points per game, which ranks them #3 in the nation, and their 530.5 total yards per game ranks them #6. The Spartans, on the other hand, allow just 11.8 points per game (6 points or fewer to five of their last six opponents), which ranks them #4 and are #1 allowing 237.7 total yards per game. Since dropping a 17-13 decision to Notre Dame at South Bend earlier this season, the Spartans have won eight straight. Last week, they defeated Minnesota 14-3. As for the Buckeyes, they are coming off of a 42-41 exhausting and draining victory over rival Michigan last week, a game that ended up being decided by an unsuccessful two point attempt by the Wolverines with 32 seconds left. In that game, the Buckeyes surrendered a total of 603 yards. Over their last three games, they have allowed a total of 90 points, 406 yards rushing (135.3 average) and 1,059 yards passing (353 average, 255.8 yards per game on the season). The Spartan offense should be able to take advantage. Led by running back Jeremy Langford, the Spartans average 186.2 yards per game rushing. Langford is currently riding a seven game streak of 100 yards or more rushing efforts, with 1,329 total yards and 17 TDs from scrimmage on the season. Spartan QB Connor Cook and his talented receivers should be able to put up some yards versus a suspect Buckeye secondary. Cook has passed for 2,119 yards, with 58.2% completions and a solid TD to INT ratio of 17 to 4. He also has gained 91 yards and 1 TD rushing. Among his capable receivers are Bennie Fowler (31 catches for 496 yards and 6 TDs), Tony Lippett (35 catches for 454 yards) and Macgarrett Kings, Jr. (34 catches for 394 yards and 3 TDs). Through the efforts of QB Braxton Miller and running back Carlos Hyde, the Buckeyes have managed 321.3 yards per game rushing (#2). Unfortunately for them, they are going up against a Spartan defense allowing just 64.8 yards per game and a season total of just 5 TDs on the ground, at just 2.23 yards per carry. Led by Miller, the Buckeyes have only managed to pass for 147.7 yards per game over the last three, an average of 209.3 yards per game on the season (#83). They should struggle versus a Spartan secondary allowing just 172.9 yards per game. Although Miller and Hyde could very well put up some good rushing numbers here, a tough Spartan defense should be able to keep them in check. Spartan back Jeremy Langford should be able to put up some yards versus a Buckeye defense that has had its share of trouble versus the run as of late, and Connor Cook should be able to put up a good effort versus a suspect secondary. The Spartans should be able to at least cover the number here, but my forecasted score below reveals how I believe they should be able to pull out the outright upset victory, ending the 24 game winning streak of the Buckeyes and their bid for a national title.
SPARTANS 31-28 (3 Units)
