Ohio State isn't satisfied with any element of its team as it opens Big Ten play against a Michigan State squad with a balanced defense and dual-threat quarterback.
The Buckeyes hit the road for their first Big Ten game against a 3-1 Michigan State squad that should put up more of a fight than the butteryRanking top 30 nationally in each of the four main defensive categories – scoring, total defense, passing and rush defense – the Spartans will take a stab at slowing down an Ohio State attack that's been rolling to the tune of 8.6 yards per play.
That mentality serves a two-fold purpose for Ohio State. First, for lack of a better phrase, the Buckeyes ain't played nobody. Three Group of Five teams that all finished 2023 with losing records aren't providing intel as to whether OSU can win a national championship in 2024. MSU isn't seen as a College Football Playoff contender but it is, at least, a Power Four team with some threats on both sides of the ball.
If the Buckeyes keep Chiles contained and force him to beat them from the pocket, it should give Ohio State's vaunted secondary a shot at its first interception – or multiple –since Week 1 against Akron.There are far more important happenings in the life of Michigan State defensive back Armorion Smith than football right now.
Turner holds an argument for Michigan State's best transfer portal acquisition after the Spartans picked up 24 players from the portal this past offseason. The former Wisconsin linebacker leads all Spartan defenders in tackles , tackles for loss and sacks .Thanks to disruptive play from their front six, the Spartans rank No. 2 across college football in sacks and No. 8 in tackles for loss .
“Everything's gotta ramp up. ... Jonathan's done a really good job already of establishing an identity there. They Have a really good, young quarterback who can do a lot of different things.”Day recognizes the step up in competition Ohio State faces this week at every turn. He's noted Smith's efforts to get the program back on track and he's not taking Chiles' athleticism lightly. Now it's up to his team to take the Spartans seriously as well.
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