The Ohio State Buckeyes are 10-0 on the season, but get their first chance to play another top team this season when they host Michigan State on Saturday. Here are three reasons why the Buckeyes are guaranteed to knock off the Spartans in the Horseshoe this weekend:
3) Dominant defense
There's too much individual talent on this defense for them to be anything but dominant. DE Joey Bosa, LB Darron Lee, and safety Von Bell aren't just impact players -- they're superstars that'd key any defense in the country, excluding none. The Buckeyes currently rank ninth in the country in total defense and second in scoring defense - and have improved greatly as the season has worn on. No one wants to face the defending champs right now.
2) Connor Cook's injury
Michigan State would struggle against Ohio State's defense if they were fully healthy, let alone now that there are questions about Spartans quarterback Connor Cook's availability. Cook is one of the better quarterbacks in the country and is the engine that drives MSU's offense, but he missed the second half of their victory over Maryland last weekend with an injury to his throwing shoulder.
While he's expected to play, he won't be nearly as effective with that injury, shown my him completing just 6/20 passes while trying to play through the injury in the first half against the Terps. Expect Ohio State's defense to have a field day on Saturday.
1) Dynamic, explosive offense
Obviously there is no such thing as too many weapons, but the Buckeyes have as many as your could want. Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best running backs in the country, and wideouts Jalin Marshall, Michael Thomas, and Braxton Miller have proven to be extremely explosive. Add in quarterback J.T. Barrett's rushing ability and sound decision making in the passing game, and Ohio State's offense looks to be unstoppable.
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