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Michigan State: Way Too Early 2017 Preview

Matt Gutridge's picture
July 5, 2017 at 10:31am
13 Comments
Michigan State

Game Details

When: Saturday, Nov 11, 2017 
Where: Columbus, OH, Ohio Stadium

Ohio State is 30–15 all-time against against Michigan State and is 14–9 as the home team.  

The Spartans' 2017 offense will have a new look in the passing game. Starting quarterback Tyler O'Connor and four of the team's leading receivers will not be back this year. In all, the four receivers accounted for 1,939 of Michigan State's 2,668 receiving yards.

With the passing game under renovation, Mark Dantonio will lean on running back LJ Scott. As a sophomore, the Ohio native led the Spartans with 994 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Look for Scott to get plenty of carries, especially early in the season.

With this contest coming later in the season, Michigan State should have plenty of time to get the offense balanced. With that said, Ohio State's young secondary will have nine games under its belt. The Buckeyes should win consecutive games against Michigan State for the first time since 2007 and 2008.

The Last Time...​

  • Ohio State played Michigan State, the second ranked Buckeyes won 17-16 in East Lansing.
  • The Buckeyes played the Spartans in Ohio Stadium, No. 9 Michigan State upset No. 2 Ohio State 17-14 in horrible conditions.
  • Ohio State beat MSU in Ohio Stadium was 2007. Jim Tressel's No. 1 Buckeyes defeated Mark Dantonio's first team 24-17.

Game 10, The Last Time...

  • Ohio State played the tenth game of the season at home was 2012. The No. 6 Buckeyes defeated Illinois 52-22.
  • The Buckeyes lost the tenth game of the season was 2011. Purdue upset Ohio State 26-23 in an overtime game played in Ross-Ade Stadium.
  • Ohio State was defeated at home on the tenth game of the season was 2001. Jim Tressel's unranked Buckeyes lost to Ron Turner's No. 12 Illini 34-22. 

Michigan State's 2016 Season

Record: 3–9
Bowl Game: Nope.
Coaching Status: Mark Dantonio (90–42) 11th season.

Leading Offensive Players From 2016
Passer: Briam Lewerke (381 yards)
Rusher: LJ Scott (994 yards)
Receiver: Felton Davis III (150 yards)

Leading Defensive Players From 2016
Tackles: Chris Frey (96)
Sacks: Demetrius Cooper (2.5)
Interceptions: Vayante Copeland (1)

Top 2017 Recruits

  • 4★ OG Kevin Jarvis of Park Ridge, IL
  • 4★ TE Matt Dotson of Cincinnati
  • 4★ WR Hunter Rison of Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan State's Recruiting Rankings
Class national rank b1g Rank Top Player
2014 26 4 5★ MALIK McDOWELL
2015 23 3 4★ LJ SCOTT
2016 17 3 4★ JOSH KING
2017 34 6 4★ KEVIN JARVIS
AVG 25 4  

Notable Missing Players
QB Tyler O'Connor completed 154 of 262 passes for 1,970 yards last year. He accounted for 16 of Michigan State's 19 touchdowns.

Four of O'Connor's top targets from 2016 are also gone. WR R.J. Shelton led the Spartans with 53 receptions, 789 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Donnie Corley (453 yards // 33 rec. // 3 TD), Josiah Price (387 yards // 38 rec. // 5 TD) and Monty Madaris (310 yards // 24 rec. // 1 TD) are also gone. With the majority of the passing game missing, Mark Dantonio's offense will lean heavily on LJ Scott.

Corley was a freshman last year, but is off of this year's team due to sexual assault charges.

CB Darian Hicks, and his team-leading 2 interceptions, will also need replaced.

Five Things November 11th

  1. This is the 21st time the Buckeyes have played on November 11th.
  2. No. 1 Ohio State defeated Northwestern 54-10 in Evanston the last time the program played on this date.
  3. The Buckeyes have won 11 of the last 12 games played on Nov. 11 and 5 consecutive.
  4. Ohio State has only played one ranked opponent on the 11th of November. In 1950, Wes Fesler's second ranked squad defeated No. 15 Wisconsin 19-14 in Ohio Stadium.  
  5. 1922 was the last time the Buckeyes lost a home game on this date. Amos Alonzo Stagg's Chicago team defeated John Wilce and Ohio State 14-9.
2016 Statistical Comparison
Ohio State Buckeyes   Spartans
OFFENSE
39.4 13th POINTS FOR 24.1 104th
245.2 11th RUSHING OFFENSE 172.7 65th
213.9 81st PASSING OFFENSE 222.3 74th
459.2 31st TOTAL OFFENSE 395.0 75th
.467 17th 3rd DOWNS .387 80th
.871 40th RED ZONE .810 91st
DEFENSE
15.5 3rd POINTS ALLOWED 27.8 61st
124.5 19th RUSH DEFENSE 158.7 51st
172.2 7th PASS DEFENSE 206.2 36th
94.4 3rd PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE 136.3 84th
296.8 6th TOTAL DEFENSE 364.8 32nd
.322 11th 3rd DOWNS .423 90th
.725 5th RED ZONE .902 111th
SPECIAL TEAMS
5.2 105th PUNT RETURN 7.0 82nd
24.4 13th KICKOFF RETURN 20.7 67th
43.1 2nd NET PUNTING 38.2 46th
MISCELLANEOUS
+ 1.2 3rd TURNOVER MARGIN - 0.4 98th
6.3 70th PENALTIES 6.4 81st
16 EDGE 2

Leftovers

Ohio State is 55–8–3 when playing the tenth game of the season and is 31–3–1 when playing the tenth game at home.

Mark Dantonio is 108–59 as a collegiate head coach (Cincinnati and Michigan State).

Ohio State has played 13 games as the home team on 11/11 and is 10–2–1.

The Buckeyes are 2–0 when the tenth game of the season is played on November 11. No. 13 Ohio State went to Champaign and defeated Illinois 24-21 in 2000. In 1995, No. 2 Ohio State defeated Illinois 41-3 in Columbus.

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

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