Ohio State Regains Confidence as It Gets Revenge Against Michigan State

When Ohio State invaded East Lansing and came away with a 49-37 victory against Michigan State on Saturday night, it did more than just redeem last year's devastating loss in the Big Ten title game. The No. 8 Buckeyes (8-1) also regained their confidence after finally coming up with a big win. 

Ohio State, which became an afterthought in the College Football Playoff race when it fell to Virginia Tech in Week 2, has now won seven consecutive games and is shooting up the rankings. But none of those wins did more for Urban Meyer's squad than beating the Spartans, because it made the Buckeyes believers in themselves. 

“I just think we earned back our confidence," offensive line coach Ed Warinner said, according to Patrick Maks of Eleven Warriors. "I think we just earned back the belief our players have, a belief in our program, belief in how we do things at Ohio State, how Coach Meyer runs his program and we just got our confidence back that we can win a big game.”

The Buckeyes didn't just win a big game—they also proved that they have a budding superstar at quarterback in J.T. Barrett and that their high-flying offense is as explosive as it is efficient. 

Against a Michigan State team that came into the game boasting the nation's fifth-ranked total defense, the Buckeyes piled up 49 points and 568 total yards of offense—which were season highs allowed by the Spartans. Michigan State did force a pair of turnovers, but both came via special teams while Barrett was waiting on the sideline.

When the redshirt freshman was on the field, he was sensational, completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Barrett was also effective on the ground, running for 86 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. 

But it was the big plays he triggered that pushed Ohio State over the hump. 

On 3rd-and-22 early in the second quarter, Barrett placed a perfect pass to Devin Smith for a 43-yard gain. Later, the quarterback would run it in from one yard out to tie the game at 14. On Ohio State's next drive, Barrett connected with Michael Thomas on a quick slant, and the sophomore wideout raced 79 yards for a score. 

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

It was like that all night—a 47-yard run from Ezekiel Elliott early in the first quarter, a 44-yard touchdown pass to Smith in the second, a 55-yard run from Barrett in the fourth to help seal the game. The Buckeyes consistently came up big against one of the country's strongest defenses. 

It was a surprising outburst, but from the moment the Buckeyes stepped on the field, they knew they were the better team.

"No disrespect to [Michigan State], but I felt all night they couldn't hang with us," Smith told reporters after the game. "I told coach that all night."

It turned out to be true.

Connor Cook and the Spartans offense gave Ohio State their best shot, but it just wasn't good enough. Michigan State amassed 37 points and 536 total yards of offense, which is usually more than enough for the Spartans to secure an easy victory, but that effort couldn't keep them within 12 points of the Buckeyes.

Ohio State's unwavering focus broke Michigan State's will. The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on seven of their final eight possessions before going into clock-killing mode. 

Al Goldis/Associated Press

That performance on a national stage had Meyer smiling in the postgame press conference.

"I'm glad everybody got to see the Ohio State Buckeyes," Meyer said. "Because this is a different Buckeye team than it was early in the season."

It most certainly is, and the selection committee in charge of picking this year's title contenders should take note. 

Meyer has his Ohio State Buckeyes playing at a high level. After beating Michigan State, they have their confidence back. And a confident Meyer-led team can be very dangerous.

All stats via NCAA.com.

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.