Buckeyes vs Spartans College Football Lines
The explosive offense of Ohio State will face off against the tenacious defense of the Michigan State Spartans. Somethings got to give in this match up where both teams have their eyes set on Pasadena, California.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0) vs Michigan State Spartans (11-1)
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
When: Saturday, December 7th, 2013, 8:17 PM ET
Broadcast: FOX
Moneyline: Ohio State -210, Michigan State +180
Spread: Ohio State -5.5
O/U: 51.5
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Starting off, this should be a fantastic game and I’m very much looking forward to it. When you have an offense that averaged 48 points a game and a defense that allowed just under 12 points a game, you know you have a very interesting and intriguing match up. The question is which strength will impose their will?
When making the judgement you have to look at not their strengths, but both teams’ weaknesses. Ohio State has a leaky defense. Statistically, they aren’t bad. They only allow 20 points a game, but when you look deeper into those numbers you can see when they play a moderately strong offense, they struggle.
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Michigan is a hot and cold defense and they were able to get hot and put up 41 points on the Buckeyes defense last week. And throughout the season you can see spots where their defense allowed a lot of points. Against Cal they gave up 34. Against Wisconsin at home they allowed 24. On the road against Northwestern allowed 30 points, and the following week they allowed 24 points, and Illinois put up 35. And, most importantly, the Buckeyes really don’t pass the eye test. They are talented, but they just lack that edge.
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While Ohio State’s defense isn’t very good, in this game the biggest key is Michigan State’s offense. And this key, I believe, will be the difference. The Spartans offense has struggled all year long and in this game it will cost them. Their defense has bailed out their offense time and time again, but when facing an explosive offense like Ohio State, Michigan State’s offense can’t go 3 and out frequently. There going to have to establish some drives, but I don’t think they’ll be able to establish enough long, sustained drives for the entire game.
All in all, if you combined Michigan State’s defense with Ohio State’s offense, you’d have a pretty good team.
Danny’s FREE College Football Pick:
When you have a great offense versus a great defense, I always tend to side with the defensive side. Just this past Monday I did with the Seattle Seahawks versus the New Orleans Saints. So, more often than I side with the defense, but in this case I’m siding with the offense. I just think that Ohio State will be able to wear down that Michigan State defense. The Spartans have a great dffense, but they have yet to be challenged by an explosive offense like this.
I realize that you can spin it the other way, as well: The Buckeyes haven’t faced an elite defense like the Spartans. But, I just believe that Ohio State will get the ball time and time again and eventually that will wear down Michigan State in the second half. I believe the Spartans offense just won’t be able to establish many drives and eventually that’s going to tire out the Spartans defense. All in all, I see Ohio State winning this game by double digits.
Pick: Ohio State -5.5
Prediction: Ohio State 31 – Michigan State 20
