I'm going to post my preview of the B10 Championship game a little early this week -- and I'll be adding to this post as more ideas enter my mind. In short, I think the MSU defense should be aiming to hold Ohio State to about 24 points or less, while the offense needs to score around 27 or more. I think that's feasible, if MSU can do some of the following:
First, MSU needs maximum intensity. It needs to prepare with intensity and play with intensity. In short, the Spartans need to unleash hell.
Second, MSU must limit the big plays. OSU is getting a lot of points this season from long passing plays and long runs. The big passing plays are the result of the same strategy: confuse the secondary by overloading a passing zone with receivers. They keep doing it and teams don't seem to be prepared to stop that play. Nebraska used that type of passing play effectively against MSU, so if I were the coaches, I would work on defending that type of play over and over this week. You know it's coming, so the secondary needs to clearly understand their assignments. The other big plays are coming from long runs by Braxton Miller. You know Miller is going to get his yards, but the Spartans have to limit the damage. They can't allow him to break off 60 or 70 yard touchdown runs.
Third, MSU is going to have to stop the option. They won't be able to fully stop it because Miller and Hyde are so talented. But they have to limit the damage. And the best way to limit the damage is by practicing to stop the option.
Fourth, MSU must tackle well. Miller and Hyde are tough to bring down and that's a big part of why OSU gains so many yards. Considering how much MSU struggled to bring down Minnesota's David Cobb (especially the secondary had a hard time bringing him down), this has to be a concern. Tackling Miller and Hyde is going to hurt, but this is a championship game, so it's now or never.
Fifth, Connor Cook and the receivers have to play well. OSU has a dangerous front 4 on defense, but I think the MSU o-line has the talent to neutralize them, to a great extent. So MSU should be able to run the ball, but that's not going to be enough to score the 27 points they will need. Cook and the receivers are going to have exploit Ohio State's biggest weakness on defense: their secondary. A repeat of the performance against Minnesota will make victory unlikely.
Sixth, the Spartans can't take their foot off the gas. MSU cannot allow itself to relax at any point on Saturday because this OSU team can score touchdowns in a hurry. Even if MSU jumps ahead by 21, or something like that, they must keep playing with maximum intensity, or else OSU will come back on them in a hurry.
Seventh, MSU must be ready for trick plays. I'm not a fan of Urban Meyer, but he is kind of wily. So expect OSU to go for a fake punt, perhaps even a fake kickoff. The Spartans should also watch out for the punt block. OSU will likely try to block punts all night long, and if MSU is not careful, OSU could get one.
Upshot: I think MSU will be ready, but OSU is talented and tough. So this is one that could go back and forth for a while . . . before MSU locks down the game in the fourth quarter.
Final score: MSU 30 Ohio State 21
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