Saturday night’s showdown between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 16 Michigan State is the biggest game of the year in the Big Ten, and there’s a lot on the line.The two teams are tied atop the Big Ten East with 7-1 overall and 4-0 conference records. The winner has a clear path to a division title and a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game and will keep its hopes of landing a spot in the College Football Playoff alive.Before the Big Ten’s divisional realignment, the Buckeyes and Spartans were in different divisions, squaring off in the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game. The Spartans spoiled the then-undefeated Buckeyes’ chance at playing in the BCS title game. Urban Meyer’s squad is seeking revenge this time around.“After watching them on film, they’re a great team,” Meyer, the Buckeyes’ third-year head coach, said. “And they stand in the way of Big Ten championship. They stood in the way last year and we failed.”Despite the recent history, Meyer was clear that he doesn’t consider to be Michigan State a rivalry game. That title is reserved for the Michigan Wolverines.“To say this is a rivalry game, that would diminish the rivalry that’s been here for 100 years. This is a great game because it’s two teams battling for first place,” Meyer said.”With that distinction out of the way, Meyer’s team is gearing up for another dogfight with the Spartans.“(MSU has) Good players and a good scheme. This is a rugged game. We’ve got to be very smart on how we go about our business and preparing the players this week on how much contact they have,” Meyer said…
Continue Reading: Ohio State, Michigan State preparing for Big Ten Championship rematch
