Prime Time
Let there be no doubt that the turnaround in Michigan State University's football program under Mark Dantonio is for real. It is just going to take more than two years to achieve a rise to national prominence with an appearance in a lofty BCS bowl game.
After an opening season loss on the road and 6 straight victories, the No. 20 Spartans hosted No. 12 Ohio State at home Saturday (10-19-08) and nothing went right. The Buckeyes, who have now beaten Michigan State 7 straight times, jumped to a quick 28-0 half time lead and capitalized on 3 Spartan fumbles and 2 interceptions to win 45-7. The Buckeyes converted the 5 turnovers into 21 points, killing any Spartan momentum.
The Buckeyes 21 points in the first quarter was against a Michigan State team that had not allowed a first-quarter point in its first 4 home games this season, and had not given up more than 17 points a game at home overall.
Michigan State was off to its best start since 2003, but seemed to show it is still not ready to be a prime-time contender against Ohio State, which has flat dominated the Big Ten in recent years.
Michigan State's Heisman candidate, Javon Ringer, was held to 67 yards on 16 carries, and starting quarterback Brian Hoyer was 5-for-13 passing for 27 yards and an interception. Ringer did not fumble, but Keshawn Martin, Blair White and backup QB Kirk Cousins did, resulting in 70-yard and 48-yard touchdown runs.
Throw out the interception and fumble due to inexperience, and backup quarterback Cousins, a redshirt freshman, was not that bad at all, going 18-for-25 for 161 yards and a touchdown to Charlie Gantt.
The Buckeyes true freshman QB Terrelle Pryor was awesome, completing 7-of-11 for 116 yards and a TD, and rushing 72 yards on 12 carries with an 18-yard TD. Chris "Beanie" Wells added 140 yards on 31 carries and 2 TDs for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State played much better on defense and Michigan State did too much to help them look good by committing the 5 turnovers. Prior to Saturday's rout, the Spartans had only lost the ball 6 times in their first 7 games.
The win, which was Ohio State's 7th straight over Michigan State, kept them atop the Big Ten Conference race, tied with Penn State at 4-0. The win knocked MSU right out of the AP Top 25 and moved Ohio State up from No. 12 to No. 10.
The Buckeyes will now be shooting for their 4th straight Big Ten title and perhaps a 3rd straight appearance in the BCS national championship game.
Michigan State now faces Michigan at Michigan, where the Spartans have not won since 1990. Yikes! Michigan State (6-2) has to shake off the Ohio State flop at home and win on the road at Michigan for the first time in 18 years to keep the pollsters thinking the Spartans will have a better year this year than last.
The Spartans have worked hard to create a 6-2 record and must appreciate that effort, understanding that even more hard work could carry them by Michigan, Wisconsin and Purdue, leaving them at 9-2. Even if Michigan State loses to currently unbeaten Penn State in its last game, it will still have a 9-3 record and a better shot at a more prestigious bowl game. The Spartans were 7-6 last year.
Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley
Read my other Spartan articles on Michigan State football, including:
"Michigan State (6-1) vs. Ohio State (6-1), the Spartans Biggest Game in 8 Years"
"Best Spartan Stop in 8+ Years Propels Michigan State Past Iowa, 16-13"
"Michigan State Got the Message in an Away Game: Just Win, Baby, Just Win"
"Michigan State and Javon Ringer Deliver a Rush to Notre Dame's Fighting Irish, 23-7"
"Michigan State's Javon Ringer After 3 Games - 498 Yards Rushing and 9 TDs"
"Michigan State's Javon Ringer Scores Five Times in 42-10 Victory Over Eastern Michigan"
"For the Michigan State Spartans, 7 Has Become a Very Uncomfortable Number"
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