Preview of Ohio State vs. Michigan State Prediction: Week 6 College Football Picks

A pair of Big Ten rivals meet as No. 3 Ohio State goes on the road for the first time this season to take on Michigan State in Week 6 college football action on Saturday.

Ohio State is perfect in five games, including a 2-0 mark in the Big Ten game, beating Wisconsin and Rutgers, 101-31.

Sparty is 2-3 on the year and is yet to win in the conference after two tries, losing three in a row overall since a trip to Washington before losing two decisions against Minnesota and Maryland.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s matchup.

Ohio State vs. Michigan State preview, prediction

Week 6 College Football Picks: Ohio State vs. michigan state

how to look

When: Saturday, October 8

Time: 4 p.m. ET

Television: ABC Network

Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

More college football on SI: college football results | college football rankings | college football schedule

Odds, point spread, betting lines

Odds courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Ohio State -26.5

Ohio State ATS: 2-2-1

Michigan State ATS: 1-3-1

S/U: 64.5

Money line: USO -5000 MSU +1400

FPI Choice: State of Ohio 88.6%

Related: Ohio State vs. Michigan State Picks, Predictions: Week 6 College Football Odds, Spread, Lines

State of Ohio vs. State of Michigan: What You Need to Know

Ohio State Runner TreVeyon Henderson

College Football HQ turns to team experts on the SI Fannation network for detailed coverage of Saturday’s game

Matthew Lounsberry of Spartan Nation joins us to bring you the keys to dueling

MSU’s revamped high school faces a big challenge. Michigan State has had to make adjustments to its secondary staffing after team captain and fifth-year senior Xavier Henderson suffered a leg injury in the Spartans’ season opener. Senior Kendall Brooks replaced Henderson at strong safety, while true rookie Jaden Mangham has developed to the point where the coaching staff has entrusted him to start at free safety. That freed up former starting free safety Angelo Grose to move to nickel defense, a more natural position for him. Cornerbacks Ameer Speed and Charles Brantley round out the secondary. The Spartans had more success with this lineup last week against Maryland, but face a major test in Week 6 against the Buckeyes. — Matthew Lounsberry, Senior Writer for Spartan Nation

Spartans need RB, OL to gel quickly. Through five weeks, Michigan State is still looking for a tail rotation that consistently delivers results. Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger was productive early against Western Michigan and Akron, but has struggled against Big Ten competition. Senior Elijah Collins, meanwhile, was very productive on limited runs against Maryland, and could see his role increasing in the future. For Michigan State to have any chance against the Buckeyes, they will have to be more balanced offensively and take the pressure off quarterback Payton Thorne. MSU’s offensive line has benefited well in pass protection this season, but we have yet to see them put together a solid game against a Power 5 opponent. That will be a challenge again this week against Ohio State’s talented frontcourt. — Matthew blackberry

Buckeyes need to avoid the trap. Not that OSU is really in any danger of losing this game, it would still be nice if Ryan Day held up Georgia as an example of a highly favored team falling asleep at the wheel in the middle of the season. The defending national champions of college football played too close against Kent State and Missouri and Ohio State could find themselves drifting on autopilot as they take on one overmatched Big Ten opponent after another. He needs to keep his foot on the gas and stay perfect to avoid giving the CFP committee any reason to question this team’s résumé. — College football headquarters

State of Ohio vs. State of Michigan: Fast Facts

+ Ohio State ranks first nationally with a 100% red zone offensive success rate (25 out of 25)

+ MSU has defeated Ohio State 3 times since 2011, most of any Big Ten team

+ Buckeyes lead the nation with 23 red zone touchdowns and 1 of 2 teams (Oregon) with 10+ rushing and passing touchdowns

+ Michigan State has 9 forced fumbles, second most in FBS

+ OSU is 2nd in FBS with 18 tackles for loss allowed

+ Spartans are 12-1 when leading at halftime with Tucker and 3-9 when not

+ Ohio State has scored a TD in 18 of 20 quarters and in 12 straight

+ MSU is 11-0 under Tucker when scoring first and 4-10 when not

+ OSU is third nationally with 529.6 yards per game

+ Michigan State is 11-0 when scoring 30+ points with Tucker

+ Ohio State has won 15 of the last 18 against MSU and 8 in a row on the road

+ Spartans are 10-0 when leading after the first quarter and 1-9 when trailing Tucker

+ Ohio State is averaging 55.7 points per game in its last 4

+ Michigan State is 14-0 under Tucker when allowing 20 or fewer points

+ OSU outscored opponents 84-20 in the first quarter and 70-13 in the third

+ Spartans are 12-0 under Tucker when leading after three quarters and 2-10 when not

+ Ohio State is first nationally with 48.8 points per game and 34 total TDs

Michigan State vs. Ohio State Prediction

Last season, the Spartans were the toast of the Big Ten and a top 10 team when they went to Columbus and were cut in half.

And it’s hard to see where this team has improved a year later. Kenneth Walker, the talented running back and engine behind Michigan State’s superb offense a year ago, left for the NFL.

MSU’s secondary unit, the worst in college football last fall, hasn’t looked good against the likes of Penix, Morgan and Tagovailoa in three straight losses.

Now comes CJ Stroud, a Heisman favorite even before he threw a pass this season, and commanding the third-ranked total offense in the nation. His big arm combined with the Buckeyes unrivaled pool of skill threats is no match for Sparty’s seven asses.

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