COLUMBUS – Ohio State now boasts the longest conference winning streak in college football history at 30 games, but the last Big Ten opponent to beat them visits Ohio Stadium Saturday.
Michigan State (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) defeated the Buckeyes in the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game, a loss avenged last year in East Lansing, but both teams have had Nov. 21 circled on their calendars. Both Brutus and Sparty were expected to be the two best teams in the Big Ten, and they are, Michigan State’s only blemish a last-second loss at Nebraska.
The winner of the game (3:30/ABC) will most likely represent the East Division in the Big Ten Championship game Dec. 5.
The status of Spartans quarterback Connor Cook is a bit murky after he left Michigan State’s 24-7 victory over Maryland Saturday at halftime with an apparent shoulder injury and sat out the second half as a precaution.
“Connor’ll be all right,” head coach Mark D’Antonio said after the game. “I don’t think, since there’s any long term things there, he’ll probably be able to go on Tuesday.”
The Spartans have been dealing with injuries all season, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary, but the loss of Cook would be a major blow to their offense.
The Buckeyes (1-0, 6-0) have been seen as underachievers for most of the season and have dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 in both major college football polls.
While the offense has not shown the kind of explosive power anticipated before the season began, Ohio State’s Silver Bullets defense has become the school bully, giving up just 20 yards rushing in Saturday’s 28-3 win over Illinois after allowing just 33 on the ground to Minnesota the week before. Ohio State has given up just 34 points in the last four games an 8.5 points per game average.
Head coach Urban Meyer is a perfect 28-0 in games played in October (14-0) and November (14-0) at Ohio State.