Ohio Beats Michigan State 34-10

To roughly paraphrase 80’s band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, when two teams go to war, sometimes 10 is all that you can score.

And unlike old Frankie, the Spartans (4-2) didn’t make it to Tinseltown.

It’s a little disheartening to read well-thought out and meticulous predictions made by knowledgeable sportscasters as to what Michigan State needed to do to beat Ohio State (6-0) and see it come to nothing.

Thus far, Ohio State has scored an average of 48.8 points per game—per game.  This might not be so staggering a statistic if the Buckeyes’ hapless opponents had not averaged only 8.8 points per game against Ohio State.

Cincinnati scored nothing—zero—against the Buckeyes back in September.  Miami, meanwhile, lost 76-5 to the Ohio State juggernaut.  Which is worse?  Well, would you prefer to be hit by a car or thrown off a cliff? 

Would it be better if Ohio State’s remaining opponents simply negotiate a fair and equitable peace treaty with the Buckeyes at the 50 yard-line from now on?  Neville Chamberlain could officiate.  Football peace in our time. 

Michigan State’s defense managed to stymie the Buckeyes at first, keeping Ohio State to just 16 yards on 16 plays in the first half.  Buckeye quarterback Justin Fields bounced around like a pair of old sneakers in the Spartan washing machine.  Blake Haubeil kicked a 39-yard field goal to put the score 0-3, Ohio State ahead.

But Michigan State responded with its own duo of Lewerke and Darrell Stewart at 10:36, putting the score 7-10.  Ohio State still led, but Sparty was still in the game.

Things picked up quickly.  The combination of Fields and J.K. Dobbins hung tough in the face of Spartan opposition and scored two more touchdowns during the second quarter of the first half.  Dobbins then ran a 67-yard touchdown to put the score at 10-24, Ohio State ahead.       

Sparty’s shield is strong, but his sword arm continues to be problematic.  This wasn’t good enough against the Buckeyes.  Michigan State’s offense remained scoreless for the rest of the game.  The Spartan run game neither runs, nor is it a game. 

The Buckeyes put up 528 yards against the Spartans’ 285.  The final score was 34-10, Ohio State winning.

If it is any consolation, Sparty did make the Buckeyes sweat for their victory.  At least it wasn’t 76-5. 

Michigan State plays against Wisconsin on October 12 at 3:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of the Detroit Free Press.