Michigan St Spartans at Ohio St Buckeyes
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, Ohio
Saturday, October 1, 2011, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN GP
Opening Line: Ohio St -2 1/2
Current Line: Ohio St -3 1/2
Opening Total: 45 1/2
Current Total: 43 1/2
Opening Money Line: Ohio St -155 / Michigan St +135
Current Money Line: Ohio St -160 / Michigan St +140

Last season, Michigan St and Ohio St tied for the Big Title with Wisconsin. All three teams were 11-1 but Wisconsin and Ohio St got the bids to the BCS games, and Michigan St went to to the Capital One Bowl and got smoked by Alabama 49-7. Michigan St and Ohio St did not play last season but they two schools open Big Ten play against each other this season. This is the 40th meeting between the two schools, and Ohio St leads the series 27-12, including 13-7 in Columbus. Ohio St has won 7 straight in the series and 12 of the last 14. The two teams haven’t played since 2008 when Ohio St won 45-7 in East Lansing.

Both teams are 3-1 this season. Michigan St is coached by Mark Dantonio and has easy home wins over Youngstown St 28-6, Florida Atlantic 44-0, and last week versus Central Michigan 45-7. The only loss for the Spartans came at Notre Dame 31-13 two weeks ago. Ohio St is coached by interim coach Luke Fickell and has been been playing without some of their best players due to suspensions for receiving improper benefits. The players were suspended for games, so they will return next week for the Buckeyes. Ohio St has home wins over Akron 42-0, Toledo 27-22, and last week against Colorado 37-17. Ohio St lost at Miami 24-6 two weeks ago.

Michigan St rebounded from the loss to Notre Dame with a resounding 45-7 defeat of Central Michigan.  Michigan St held the Chippewas to 112 total yards and 8 first downs. Central Michigan had 4 turnovers. Michigan St had 481 total yards including 197 rushing yards. Running back Le’Veon Bell had 3 rushing touchdowns for the Spartans in the rout.

Michigan St is averaging 417.2 yards and 32.5 points a game. Michigan St is averaging 274 passing yards a game. The Spartans have allowed 5 sacks and have 4 turnovers. The Spartans are 27/65 on third and fourth down conversions, and 18/24 scoring in the red zone with 14 touchdowns. Michigan St has the number one defense in the country allowing just 172.2 yards  a game including the #1 passing defense with 101 yards a game. The rush defense is #10 in the country allowing 71.2 yards a game. The Spartans are allowing just 11 points a game, and it would be even less than that had they not given up 31 to Notre Dame. The Spartans have forced 9 turnovers and 5 sacks. MSU opponents are 15/51 on third and fourth down conversions, and 4/5 scoring in the red zone with 3 touchdowns.

Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins is 81/117 passing with 947 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Bell has 38 carries for 217 yards, and 6 touchdowns, along with 6 catches for 40 yards. Edwin Baker has 50 carries, 216 yards, and one touchdown, along with 4 catches for 43 yards. Larry Caper has 24 carries, 101 yards, and 1 touchdown, and 8 catches, 77 yards, and a touchdown. Receiver B.J. Cunningham has 29 catches, 428 yards, and a touchdown. Keyshawn Martin has 14 catches, 132 yards, and no touchdowns. Dion Sims only has 9 catches but 3 of them have gone for touchdowns. Kicker Dan Conroy is 16/16 on extra points, and 5/7 on field goals with a long of 50 yards. Kevin Muma made a 28 yard field goal in is only attempt of the year. The Spartans are banged up on the offensive line with 4 players listed as either doubtful or out.

Ohio St jumped out to an early 17-0 lead last week at home against Colorado and cruised to a 37-17 victory, covering the 16.5 point spread. The Buffaloes had 2 turnovers in the game.  Ohio St held Colorado to 314 total yards including just 76 rushing yards. The Buffaloes had 13 first downs. Ohio St had 336 total yards including 226 rushing yards and 20 first downs. There were 16 penalties combined by both teams.

Ohio St is averaging 340.8 total yards and 28 points a game. The Buckeyes are averaging 184 rushing yards a game. Ohio St has 4 turnovers and has allowed 5 sacks.  The Buckeyes are 23/56 on third and fourth down conversions and 14/17 scoring in the red zone, with 10 touchdowns.  The Buckeyes are allowing 276.2 yards a game on defense and 15.8 points. They are allowing 99.2 rushing yards a game and 177 passing yards. They have forced 6 turnovers and 10 sacks. Buckeye opponents are 24/67 on third and fourth down  conversions, and 8/9 scoring in the red zone with 7 touchdowns.

Buckeye quarterback Joe Bauserman is 32/62 passing with 392 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also has 11 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown. Braxton Miller has also taken some snaps and is 15/29 passing for 235 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception, along with 30 carries for 145 yards.  Running back Carlos Hyde 57 carries for 263 yards, and 3 touchdowns, along with 6 catches for 51 yards. Jordan Hall has 32 carries for 171 yards, and a touchdown. Rod Smith has 29 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Devin Smith has 8 catches for 183 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jake Stoneburner has 8 catches for 93 yards and 4 touchdowns but missed the Colorado game. Kicker Drew Basil is 13/13 on extra points but 5/7 on field goals with a long of 47 yards.  RB Dan Herron, WR Devier Posey, OL Mike Adams, and DE Solomon Thomas won’t return from their suspensions until October 8.

Ohio St is 2-2 against the spread this season and 3 of the 4 games went under the total. Michigan St is also 2-2 ATS and 3 of the 4 games have gone under the total. Ohio St is 12-4 ATS in all games the last 2 seasons, including 12-3 as a favorite, 10-1 at home, and 9-1 at home in the same span. Michigan St is 4-1 ATs in their last 5 October games, 3-10 ATS in their last 13 as an underdog, including 1-5 as a road dog in the last 6.

This game seems like a toss-up but I don’t see a lot of points being scored. You have two mediocre offenses and two great defenses. Under is the play in this game.

Our college football handicappers are the best in the business and are crushing the sports books this season. Our college football odds page allows users to shop for the best line with real time line updates.