Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett, during the team’s Oct. 24 game against Rutgers.
Ohio State vs. Michigan State is this week’s marquee matchup in the college football world. If either team wants to ensure a playoff appearance, it needs to win out — but the Buckeyes and Spartans have to first get past each other. (And come the Big Ten championship game, one will also need to get past Iowa, if things hold.)
But a win here matters more for one-loss Michigan State. It’s not that Ohio State can take a mulligan; the undefeated Buckeyes just have more leeway.