No. 4 Ohio State travels to Michigan State after canceling its last game due to COVID-19: Buckeye Breakfast Gameday
COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 4 Ohio State is back in action on Saturday at Michigan State, a week after the Buckeyes’ game at Illinois was canceled due to multiple COVID-19 cases on the OSU roster. Here is everything you need to know before kickoff.
Game information
Who: No. 4 Ohio State (4-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-3, 2-3).
When: Noon.
Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich. (75,005).
TV: ABC, with Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky and Quint Kessenich on the call.
Twitter: Follow Nathan Baird, Doug Lesmerises and Stephen Means.
Live chat: Join the cleveland.com live chat at 9 a.m.
Latest line: Ohio State -23.5.
Series record: This is the 49th meeting between the two schools. Ohio State leads the all-time series, 33-15.
Catch up on the latest Ohio State news
* Check out our staff’s game picks and outrageous predictions for Saturday.
* Stephen looked at how the two teams stack up based on recruiting talent.
* The Buckeyes resumed team activities on Tuesday, four days after the team paused due to increasing COVID-19 cases.
* Ohio State sent out a news release on Friday saying that their “increased and enhanced” COVID-19 testing is allowing them to play Michigan State.
* Nathan examined how Ohio State’s coaching operation will work on Saturday with Ryan Day still in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.
* During his weekly show, Day confirmed that OSU will be “a little short-handed” on Saturday.
* With Michigan being forced to cancel its game vs. due to COVID-19, Nathan took a look at what that could mean for The Game in a week.
* The Buckeyes stayed at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff ranking despite not playing last week, meaning they will have a chance to prove the committee right.
* Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez went on record by saying that the Big Ten should be willing to help Ohio State should it not be able to meet the six-game minimum required to qualify for the conference championship game.
Listen to our Buckeye Talk podcast
Ohio State has two important things in front of it: The Game and the College Football Playoff. One might not happen because of COVID-19 cases with the Wolverines. The other could be in doubt if the Buckeyes don’t play enough games.
On Wednesday’s episode, Doug, Nathan and Stephen asked fans whether The Game or the playoff means more among other questions.
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News from Michigan State
* Matt Wenzel of MLive.com pondered whether Michigan State’s run game can continue the momentum it gained vs. Northwestern.
* Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press wrote about what is working well for the Spartans’ pass defense.
* Matt Charboneau of The Detroit News talked about the improvement the Michigan State offensive line has had this season.
Stat leaders
Passing: Ohio State: Justin Fields, 90-113 (79.6 percent), 1,208 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs. Michigan State: Rocky Lombardi, 79-146 (54.1 percent), 1,057 yards, 8 TDs, 8 INTs.
Rushing: Ohio State: Master Teague, 73 carries, 38 yards (5.2 avg.), 6 TDs. Michigan State: Connor Heyward, 52 carries, 179 yards (3.4 avg.), 0 TDs.
Receiving: Ohio State: Garrett Wilson, 31 receptions, 513 yards (16.5 avg.), 4 TDs. Michigan State: Jalen Nailor, 16 receptions, 379 yards (23.7 avg.), 2 TDs.
Tackles: Ohio State: Pete Werner, 24 tackles. Michigan State: Antjuan Simmons, 53 tackles.
Sacks: Ohio State: Tommy Togiai, 3 sacks. Michigan State: Drew Beesley, 3 sacks.
Interceptions: Ohio State: Marcus Hooker 1 INT; Shaun Wade, 1 INT. Michigan State: Shakur Brown, 5 INTs.
Other Big Ten games
Saturday’s schedule
Nebraska at Purdue, noon, BTN.
Penn State at Rutgers, noon, FS1.
No. 12 Indiana at No. 16 Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m., ABC.
No. 19 Iowa at Illinois, 3:30 p.m., FS1.
More Buckeyes coverage
What is more important to Ohio State fans: The Game or the College Football Playoff?
Ryan Day confirms Buckeyes will be ‘a little short-handed’ at Michigan State
Rose Bowl, a CFP semifinal, will not allow spectators due to coronavirus restrictions
With Day out, what will OSU’s coaching process be at Michigan State?
Jihaad Campbell, 2022 DE, gets OSU offer: Recruiting Roundup
Jayden Ballard National Signing Day 2021 player profile
Hype trailer for Michigan State references Buckeyes’ coronavirus ‘adversity’
