Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions for epic clash vs Ohio State

The Michigan State football team is preparing to do something they’ve only done three times this century: beat Ohio State.

The Spartans are looking for their first win against the Buckeyes since 2015 when the team squeaked out a win against OSU QB J.T. Barrett and RB Ezekiel Elliott.

There’s reason for optimism that this is the year MSU has what it takes to knock off Ohio State. It’ll be tough, but the Spartans have a massive chip on their shoulder, especially with the College Football Playoff Committee ranking them behind Cincinnati and Michigan at No. 7 in the latest CFP Rankings.

Here are three bold predictions for this matchup between two Top-10 teams, set for Nov. 20 at 12 PM ET on ABC.

No 1. Michigan State football will play their best defensive game of the season

The Ohio State Buckeyes have yet to face a defense this formidable. Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud has only been sacked seven times all year— how will he respond to being sacked multiple times in a game?

Safety Xavier Henderson is fifth in the Big Ten Conference in total tackles, with 82.

Despite Ohio State boasting a 3,000+ yard passer, a 1000+ yard rusher, and a 1,000+ yard receiver, Michigan State will do more than just hold their own.

The most Stroud has ever been sacked in a game this season is twice and it was done three times (Oregon, Tulsa, and Nebraska). Expect Michigan State to get to Stroud and force him to make split-second decisions, increasing the likelihood of making a mistake.