Saturday night’s showdown between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 16 Michigan State is the biggest game of the year in the Big Ten, and there’s a lot on the line.
The two teams are tied atop the Big Ten East with 7-1 overall and 4-0 conference records. The winner has a clear path to a division title and a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game and will keep its hopes of landing a spot in the College Football Playoff alive.
Before the Big Ten’s divisional realignment, the Buckeyes and Spartans were in different divisions, squaring off in the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game. The Spartans spoiled the then-undefeated Buckeyes’ chance at playing in the BCS title game. Urban Meyer’s squad is seeking revenge this time around.
“After watching them on film, they're a great team,” Meyer, the Buckeyes’ third-year head coach, said. “And they stand in the way of Big Ten championship. They stood in the way last year and we failed.”
Despite the recent history, Meyer was clear that he doesn’t consider to be Michigan State a rivalry game. That title is reserved for the Michigan Wolverines.
“To say this is a rivalry game, that would diminish the rivalry that's been here for 100 years. This is a great game because it's two teams battling for first place,” Meyer said.”
With that distinction out of the way, Meyer’s team is gearing up for another dogfight with the Spartans.
“(MSU has) Good players and a good scheme. This is a rugged game. We've got to be very smart on how we go about our business and preparing the players this week on how much contact they have,” Meyer said. “The two experiences I've had with Michigan State in 2012 and '13, I mean that's a sledge hammer. This team can play at any level, any conference, anywhere. I'd like to think that the Ohio State Buckeyes can, too. This is going to be a big football game that we have to be very smart. The only thing that matters is when the foot hits the ball at 8:00 that night that our guys are mentally and physically ready to rock and roll because it's going to be a rugged game.”
Meanwhile, the Spartans are coming off a bye week following a demolition of Michigan on Oct. 25, giving them more time to prepare for Ohio State’s high-powered offense and redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett. MSU senior linebacker Taiwan Jones went so far as to say that the Buckeyes are better off with Barrett compared to injured senior Braxton Miller, the 2013 Big Ten offensive player of the year.
“I feel like with this offense that Barrett works better in this offense,” Jones said. “I feel like he has a better arm, he's a way better quarterback than Braxton, but I feel like it's a big challenge for us and we're actually looking forward to it and working this week in order for us to be successful against this offense.”
While head coach Mark Dantonio wouldn’t go so far as to say this was the biggest game he’s coached in his tenure at Michigan State, he did not downplay its importance – in conference play and beyond.
“Obviously this game, the way the standings look right now this game is extremely important because you'll win the tie breakers, as well, whoever wins this game. So that's what makes it even more important,” Dantonio said. “I think it's more of a conference thing rather than a personal can we beat Ohio State. I think can we represent our division in the Big Ten championship game and then what can that spring board us towards?”
Dantonio thinks the Spartans’ success against the Buckeyes last year translates to this year’s matchup from a confidence standpoint. Beyond that, it just comes down to execution and reacting well to adverse situations.
“Obviously with success comes more confidence and confidence breeds success,” Dantonio said. “I think the key to the success of this football game a lot of times or any game is how are you going to be able to handle adversity? That's going to come at inopportune times so we need to understand that's part of the game and play forward.”
For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.
For more Michigan State news, visit SpartanMag.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Ohio State, Michigan State preparing for Big Ten Championship rematch
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