Keys to the Game Against Michigan State

MI entered Saturday’s game with the fourth-best rushing defense in the country.

Ohio State totaled a whopping 371 yards rushing and out-gained MI, 484-364.

The Wolverines don’t have a dominant back like a Chris Perry or Mike Hart, but Rudock has been impressive in his first season in Ann Arbor.

After a field goal exhibition in the first half, Alabama found paydirt first on a 34-yard scoring strike from Jake Coker to ArDarius Stewart, pushing the lead to 19-6 with 5:14 remaining in the third quarter. More likely though, the SEC championship will be an opportunity for Crimson Tide tailback Derrick Henry to wrap up the Heisman after he went for 271 yards on a school-record 46 carries in a victory against Auburn on Saturday. His 698 yards to close out the 2014 national title run against Wisconsin, Alabama and OR should be enough evidence of that.

Ohio State struck quickly in the second half on Barrett’s perfectly placed 25-yard touchdown pass to Middletown’s Jalin Marshall. Gerald Holmes’ 6-yard run made it 13-3 just some seven minutes later and Penn State responded with a 9-play, 52 yard drive to chew up some clock. The selection committee protocol emphasizes conference championships, and Ohio State can’t win one.

It didn’t matter that the Wolverines – and everyone else in the country – knew Ohio State’s game plan coming into Saturday’s matchup. And with Christian Hackenberg often at the mercy of his own offensive line, Penn State often has to rely on its defense, especially against more talented opponents.

The Buckeyes, who have beaten MI in 11 of the last 12 meetings, piled up 371 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground. He bounced off one defender and spun past another before diving into the end zone. The Buckeyes didn’t punish Elliott. MI has to find a lead back and five road-grating offensive lineman to become the offense that Harbaugh expects them to be moving forward. The run blocking in particular was superb against Ohio State, enabling the Spartans to rush for 203 yards. “I think that’s one of the main reasons why we’ve been so successful”. Barrett went 13 yards on the next play, diving into the end zone for a touchdown to make it an 18-point lead for the visitors.

Michigan State left no doubt.

The quick revival to the premier rivalry in college football was due in no small part to Jim Harbaugh, who left his NFL job to helm the Wolverines. Godwin had a career-high 11 receptions for 109 yards. They are 9-3. Improvements were made and will continue to be made.

Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry played quarterback in Cook’s absence against Ohio State.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. The junior safety sidestepped the pile, picked up the ball at the 23 in stride, weaved outside through traffic, then cut back across the field for the final 35 yards for the Spartans’ first of two defensive TDs in the game. And to put the cherry on top of the win, Cook handed off starting center – yes, starting center – Jack Allen for a nine-yard touchdown that put the bow on top of a division-clinching win.