Michigan State at Ohio State (Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Spread: Ohio State -21
Ohio State has looked like the most complete team in college football so far this season. The Buckeyes haven’t displayed any noticeable flaws. They’ve been terrific on offense, led by the efficient dual-threat ability of Justin Fields and the shifty and powerful running of J.K. Dobbins.
Defensively, Ohio State ranks second in the country in yards per play. Chase Young has been as good as any player in the country, consistently harassing opposing quarterbacks.
All of that is bad news for an anemic Michigan State offense that has struggled to move the football against even mediocre defensive units. The Spartans are clinging to an AP Top 25 ranking, but I don’t expect them to remain there after what’s likely to be a blowout defeat in Columbus.
It will only get worse, too, as Michigan State goes on the road to Wisconsin next week before an off week and a home date with Penn State to finish off the month of October. The Spartans probably have to win two of those three games in order to have any shot of winning the Big Ten East; I’m not sure they are going to win any of the three, and definitely not this one at the Horseshoe.
Buckeyes win. Big.
Pick: Ohio State 34, Michigan State 7