Michigan State vs Ohio State: Last-Minute Spread Info and Predictions

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in a game between two of the best Big Ten teams of 2010.

Both teams are a respectable 3-1, but neither are ranked. They have each lost a road game to the toughest opponent that they have faced.

This is an important game in the Big Ten. The loser will have a hard time competing for the conference title.

Where: Ohio Stadium. Columbus, Ohio.

When: Saturday, October 1 at 3:30 p.m. EDT

Watch: ABC

Spread

According to betonline.com, Ohio State is a three-point favorite. With a spread like that, you are basically picking the winner. You have to be awfully specific to think that Ohio State will win but not cover.

My guess is that Ohio State will win and cover. I am pretty confident with that selection, even with all of Ohio State's suspensions.

Over/Under

While 43.5 may not seem like much, I am going to go with it. I don't think the winning team's score will be beyond the mid-20's.

It will be close, but I really don't see the losing team picking up enough of the slack

Key Injuries

Michigan State WR Bennie Fowler (foot) is questionable.

Michigan State DE Tyler Hoover (back), OL Blake Treadwell (knee), and OL Jared McGaha (knee) are doubtful.

Michigan State NT Antonio Jeremiah (knee), and S Jairus Jones (achilles) are out.

Michigan State OL Skyler Burkland (ankle), and OL Zach Hueter (shoulder) are out for the year.

Ohio State FB Adam Homan (knee), and DE Nathan Williams (knee) are out.

Ohio State WR DeVier Posey, RB Dan Herron, OL Mike Adams, and DL Solomon Thomas are all serving the final game of a five-game suspension.

BCS/Top-25 Poll Implications

Neither team is ranked right now. They are both just on the outside looking in. The loser won't be ranked for a while. If the winner wins and looks good doing it, then their chances of making the top 25 aren't too bad.

Keys to Michigan State Win

Kirk Cousins and B.J. Cunningham need to connect and make big plays.

Also, the duo of Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker will need to be effective. This may not be Ohio State's best year, but you aren't going to win in Columbus without running the ball well.

Keys to Ohio State Win

If they run the ball and contain Michigan State's offensive attack, I like the Buckeyes' chances here.

Prediction

Both of these teams are unknowns. The 3-1 records that they sport are fine, but they have been far from overwhelming. Each team also failed in its biggest test.

I'll go with the home team here. Columbus is still a very hard place for visiting teams to win.

Ohio State 23, Michigan State 16.