EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Buckeyes have won their first five games, all in the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium, but Saturday they hit play their first away game of the season, traveling to East Lansing to face the struggling Michigan State Spartans.
It’s been unique that we’re into Week Six here and haven’t played a game on the road. It’s been great, we’ve gotten into a good rhythm. But now, we got to go get our first conference road game,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day told reporters this week.
(3) OHIO STATE (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-3, 0-2); Sat., Oct 8 (4:00 p.m./ABC)
The heavily favored Buckeyes have won their first five games while the Spartans have dropped their last three, which doesn’t mean that Sparty will be a pushover, especially on their home field.
“Tough place to play, certainly a great stadium, great environment, and it’s going to hard to win up there. It always is,” Day said.
Michigan State has toppled Ohio State 10 times when the Buckeyes entered the game ranked in the AP Top 25, including seven times when the Buckeyes were in the top 10, dating back to 1951.
The Spartans have defeated the Buckeyes three times since 2011, the most of any team in the Big Ten.
Michigan State is hoping to slow down Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud. He torched the Spartans with a school-record six touchdown passes in the first half last year.
Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has seen little playing time this season after suffering a hamstring injury in the opener against Notre Dame. He has been week to week since.
“We’re hoping to get him back this week,” Day said.
Day said he is also optimistic about the possible return of running back TreVeyon Henderson and cornerback Cameron Brown.
Henderson was a late scratch after warmups before the Rutgers game and Brown has missed the last two games.