3 reasons Ohio State will thump Michigan State

The Ohio State Buckeyes return to play this weekend as they go on the road to contend with divisional foe Michigan State.

The ongoing battle against COVID-19 hit home for the Buckeyes last week as mounting positive tests claimed another game. For the first time, the Buckeyes felt the pressure of numerous positive tests within their own program as head coach Ryan Day‘s positive test ultimately closed the deal on what was an iffy game to start with. The Buckeyes have played just two games since Halloween which totals to just four games played in 2020.

The situation is getting dire for the Buckeyes as time is running short to qualify for the Big Ten Championship and ultimately the College Football Playoff. It is still largely up to debate whether the Buckeyes are ‘deserving’ of their top-four ranking. Fortunately, the College Football Playoff committee has stood by their system of having the four best teams within the playoff rather than metrics determining who is most deserving.

However, the Buckeyes’ resume is looking quite pale this season as the Big Ten has continued to underwhelm especially with the conference’s shortened schedule. Many Big Ten teams are falling short of even finishing the few games they have which double the detriment to the Buckeyes. Big Ten Championship contenders have their backs against the wall in the latter part of the season as any more cancellations could lead to disqualification.

The Buckeyes have looked solid thus far even though the hardships as they’ve remained undefeated. The win margins have not been up to par this season though as the Buckeyes’ margin of victory is down to 19 points on average from 39 points last season. The hills and valleys of the schedule and significant uncertainty regarding their opponents and whether they’ll actually play each weekend has certainly taken its toll.

With that being said, the Buckeyes are still on the “win and you’re in” path as one of the few teams that remain undefeated in college football’s power five conference landscape. The unraveling of the traditional Big Ten powers aside from the Buckeyes along with upsets around the nation of similar playoff contenders has kept the Buckeyes first in line. At this point in the season, it will not be about style points in each of the Buckeyes’ remaining games but more emphasis on coming away unscathed from injury or defeat.

The Buckeyes look to do just that as they face an unpredictable Michigan State Spartans team. The Spartans are coming off their best win in years as they took down the undefeated Northwestern Wildcats who were ranked eighth in the nation. The team is still in its rebuilding stage but what a way to build upon an upstart win than to defeat the undefeated Buckeyes in the next week? Expect the Buckeyes to come out ready to prove why they’re playoff material as they travel to East Lansing to take on the Spartans.