Michigan State

No. 8 Ohio State Tries For Another Victory At Michigan State

November 9, 2018 / 8:13 AM EST / CBS Detroit

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 3: Head Coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches his team warm up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

No. 8 Ohio State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten, No. 10 CFP) at No. 24 Michigan State (6-3, 4-2, No. 18 CFP), 12:05 p.m. EST (Fox).

Line: Ohio State by 3½.

Series record: Ohio State leads 31-15.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Parris Campbell #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the third quarter during The AdvoCare Showdown at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Ohio State is still on course for a season-ending showdown with Michigan that could decide the division title, but the Buckeyes first have to deal with a Michigan State team that has given them problems in recent years. A win this weekend would improve the Spartans' chances at a berth in the Rose Bowl.

KEY MATCHUP

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 3: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes in the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 36-31. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins vs. Michigan State's secondary. The Spartans have the nation's No. 1 run defense, but they'll need to figure out how to contain Haskins, who has already surpassed 3,000 yards passing on the season and is completing 70 percent of his attempts.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 3: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes off on a 42-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 36-31. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Ohio State: RBs J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber. Dobbins and Weber have both run for more than 600 yards on the season, so the Buckeyes have options when they want to test Michigan State's run defense.

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Byron Cowart #9 of the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Michigan State: QBs Brian Lewerke and Rocky Lombardi. Lewerke has been the starter most of the season, including last weekend against Maryland, but he's dealt with an injured shoulder and Lombardi has been capable in relief. Coach Mark Dantonio stood by Lewerke as the starter this week.

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 27: Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans drops back to pass the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

FACTS & FIGURES

Michigan State beat Ohio State en route to Big Ten titles in 2013 and 2015, but the Buckeyes breezed past the Spartans 48-3 last year. ... Ohio State DT Dre'Mont Jones has at least one tackle for loss in seven straight games. ... Ohio State has scored 20 or more points in 21 straight games. ... The Buckeyes are 24-3 in conference road games under coach Urban Meyer. ... Michigan State has lost six straight home games in this series. ... Michigan State is 10-6 in its last 16 games against teams in the AP top 10.