Bucks back in black

COLUMBUS – Ohio State will be sporting their all black uniforms for Saturday’s homecoming game against Michigan State and are encouraging fans to wear black as well.

Ohio State is 2-0 in the black uniforms, with a 36-21 win over Nebraska last year and a 38-10 victory over Penn State in 2015.

(4) Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) vs (25) Michigan State (4-1, 2-0)
Sat., Oct. 5 at Ohio Stadium (7:30 p.m./ABC)

Michigan State will try to slow down the runaway freight train that has been the fourth-ranked Buckeyes so far in the 2019 football season.

The Spartans have one of the nation’s top defenses and an experienced, prolific quarterback in Brian Lewerke but the Buckeyes are 20-point favorites.

On the way to a 5-0 record, Ohio State has outscored its opponents 262-43. The streak of four straight wins by margins of 40 points or greater is the longest by a Big Ten team since World War I.

With only one exception (Miami’s 5-0 lead) Ohio State has knocked out other teams early, by a 173-22 first half margin.

But, Sparty has had more success than many teams against Ohio State, especially when the Buckeyes are riding high, something head coach Ryan Day reminded his players this week.

“I really think that’s important to teach these kids,” he said. “They’re 18, 19, 20 years old. Some of them don’t even really understand the history. I think it’s good for them to hear that and understand that and know what they’re getting into each week.”

Dating back to 1974, MSU has beaten the Buckeyes five times when Ohio State was ranked in the Top 5.

Although Ohio State has won the last three meetings, Michigan State has beaten Ohio State three times since 2011, making the Spartans Ohio State’s toughest conference opponent over the past decade.

A kind of streak is on the line. The Buckeyes are 91-9 over their last 100 games, a stretch that is not only the best in school history, but also is the best current 100-game streak in college football alongside Alabama, which is also 91-9.