As the number 3 ranked and 3-0 Buckeyes travel to East Lansing to play the Michigan State Spartans, let's take a look at "What happened before."
This is the 52nd meeting between the two schools dating back to when Michigan State was still an independent in 1951.
- The Buckeyes lead the overall series 37-14-0.
- The Buckeyes lead 15-5 when both teams are ranked. They lead 17-5 when only they are ranked. Ohio State leads 5-2 when neither team is ranked, and Michigan State leads 2-0 when only the Spartans are ranked.
- The Buckeyes lead the series 11-4 when they are ranked in the top 3.
- OSU has won the last 8 meetings between the two schools tying the longest win streak of 8 also held from between 1975-1984.
- MSU's longest win streak is 2 games (5 times)
- Most points by OSU - 56 (2021) 56-7 victory. Largest Margin of victory - 49 (Same game)
- Most points by MSU - 37 (2014) 37-49 Spartan loss. Largest Margin of victory - 25 (1965) 32-7 victory.
The GOOD
- 2014: The 14th ranked Buckeyes travel to East Lansing and defeat the 8th ranked Spartans 49-37 on their way to the national title.
- 2017: The 11th ranked Buckeyes jump out to a 35-3 half time lead on Mike Weber runs of 47 and 82 yards and coast to a 48-3 win over the 13th ranked Spartans.
- 2021: CJ Stroud threw for 432 yards and 6 TD's as the 5th ranked Buckeyes jumped out to a 49-0 halftime lead over the 7th ranked Spartans and won 56-7. The Buckeyes scored on their first 8 possessions and never looked back.
The BAD
- 1972: The unranked Spartans upset the 5th ranked and undefeated Buckeyes 19-12 in East Lansing. The Spartans held the Buckeyes scoreless in the second half and outgained them 356-176 yds. It was their only regular season loss that year.
- 1999: The Nick Saban led and 19th ranked Spartans held the 20th ranked Buckeyes to 0 yards rushing and 79 total yards as they outmanned OSU 23-7.
- 2013: Mark Dantonio's 10th ranked Spartans outlasted Urban Meyer's undefeated and second ranked Buckeyes 34-24 in the B1G Championship game, sending MSU to the Rose Bowl, where they beat #5 Stanford 24-20. The Buckeyes lost to #12 Clemson 40-35 in the Orange Bowl to finish the season 12-2 and ranked 12th.
The UGLY
- 1974: This game had one of the most controversial endings in Buckeye Football history. The 8-0 and #1 ranked Buckeyes rolled into East Lansing a huge favorite, but the Spartans had other ideas. The Buckeyes led 13-3 with 9:03 to play, but the Spartans came back to take the lead, 16-13. With 3:17 to go, the Buckeyes started a 70 yard drive culminating with Champ Henson being tackled at the MSU 1 yard line with 29 seconds left. The Buckeyes were out of timeouts so they tried to hurry to get lined up, while the Spartan defenders laid on the Buckeyes preventing them from getting up. Typically in that situation, the officials of the time would call timeout. But these officials didn't. The Buckeyes finally lined up and snapped the ball with one second to play. The ball squirted through QB Cornelius Green's legs and was picked up by Flanker Brian Baschnagel, who trotted into the end zone for an apparent touchdown. Several officials raised their arms to signal touchdown, but were overruled by another official who said time had run out before the snap. It was also determined that even if the Buckeyes were able to get the snap off in time, they would have been penalized for not being set for a full second before the snap. But even if that was the case, with the rules of the time, they would have had one last play from the six yard line. But the officials ran off the field in a hurry with no explanation. After 40 minutes, it was officially announce that MSU had won the ball game. Needless to say, Woody was not happy. The Buckeyes still won the B1G and the #3 Buckeyes would lose to 5th ranked USC in the Rose Bowl 18-17 to finish the season 10-2 and ranked 4th.
- 1998: The #1 ranked and undefeated Buckeyes were 28 point favorites against the unranked Nick Saban led Spartans. Everything was going well for OSU, who led 24-9 with 7:56 to go in the 3rd quarter, and the Bucks forcing a Spartan punt from deep in their own territory. But the punter shanked his punt, which bounced off the leg of a Buckeye player, who didn't even see the ball coming towards him. Michigan State recovered and it was all Spartans from that point on. Sparty scored to pull to within 24-15. On OSU's ensuing possession, Michael Wiley fumbled at the Buckeye 35. But the defense held and MSU kicked a 49 yard FG. 24-18 Buckeyes. The Buckeyes couldn't do anything with the ball and pins the Spartans on their own 8 yard line. No problem for Sparty. They drive the length of the field and take a 25-24 lead with 14:20 to play. After a Joe Germaine fumble, MSU kicks a 42 yard field goal to take a 28-24 lead with 9:26 to go. Buck the Buckeyes weren't done just yet. With 3:33 to play, the Bucks go for it on a 4th and one at the MSU 26. STUFFED! But the Buckeyes hold and get the ball back at their own 48 with 1:39 to play. It's do or die time. Germaine drives his team to the MSU 15 yard line. First down - incomplete. Second down - incomplete. Third down - incomplete. Last chance. Intercepted. Game over. One of John Cooper's most talented teams had just lost it's chance at a national championship. The #3 Buckeyes went on to beat the 8th ranked Texas A&M Aggies 24-14 in the Sugar Bowl, to end the season 11-1 and ranked #2 behind Tennessee.
- 2015: Urban Meyer's most talented team was ranked #2 when Mark Dantonio's 9th ranked Spartans came calling on a rainy, nasty, November Saturday. The entire game was ugly, and the loss of Buckeye offensive coordinator, Tom Herman, was evident. Due to an uninspired game plan , the game was knotted at 14 each when MSU received an OSU punt at the Buckeye 48 with 4:07 to play. The Spartans then held onto the ball as they drove it down to the 23 yard line. With 3 seconds left on the clock, the 41 yard field goal sailed through the uprights. Game over. MSU went on to get demolished by Alabama in the CFP 38-0 and finished 12-2 and ranked 6th. The Buckeyes beat #8 Notre Dame 42-28 in the Fiesta Bowl and finished the season at 12-1 and ranked 4th.
As you can see, the Spartans have been a thorn in the Buckeye's side on several occasions. Here's hoping that Saturday night will not be another one!
This is the 52nd meeting between the two schools dating back to when Michigan State was still an independent in 1951.
- The Buckeyes lead the overall series 37-14-0.
- The Buckeyes lead 15-5 when both teams are ranked. They lead 17-5 when only they are ranked. Ohio State leads 5-2 when neither team is ranked, and Michigan State leads 2-0 when only the Spartans are ranked.
- The Buckeyes lead the series 11-4 when they are ranked in the top 3.
- OSU has won the last 8 meetings between the two schools tying the longest win streak of 8 also held from between 1975-1984.
- MSU's longest win streak is 2 games (5 times)
- Most points by OSU - 56 (2021) 56-7 victory. Largest Margin of victory - 49 (Same game)
- Most points by MSU - 37 (2014) 37-49 Spartan loss. Largest Margin of victory - 25 (1965) 32-7 victory.
The GOOD
- 2014: The 14th ranked Buckeyes travel to East Lansing and defeat the 8th ranked Spartans 49-37 on their way to the national title.
- 2017: The 11th ranked Buckeyes jump out to a 35-3 half time lead on Mike Weber runs of 47 and 82 yards and coast to a 48-3 win over the 13th ranked Spartans.
- 2021: CJ Stroud threw for 432 yards and 6 TD's as the 5th ranked Buckeyes jumped out to a 49-0 halftime lead over the 7th ranked Spartans and won 56-7. The Buckeyes scored on their first 8 possessions and never looked back.
The BAD
- 1972: The unranked Spartans upset the 5th ranked and undefeated Buckeyes 19-12 in East Lansing. The Spartans held the Buckeyes scoreless in the second half and outgained them 356-176 yds. It was their only regular season loss that year.
- 1999: The Nick Saban led and 19th ranked Spartans held the 20th ranked Buckeyes to 0 yards rushing and 79 total yards as they outmanned OSU 23-7.
- 2013: Mark Dantonio's 10th ranked Spartans outlasted Urban Meyer's undefeated and second ranked Buckeyes 34-24 in the B1G Championship game, sending MSU to the Rose Bowl, where they beat #5 Stanford 24-20. The Buckeyes lost to #12 Clemson 40-35 in the Orange Bowl to finish the season 12-2 and ranked 12th.
The UGLY
- 1974: This game had one of the most controversial endings in Buckeye Football history. The 8-0 and #1 ranked Buckeyes rolled into East Lansing a huge favorite, but the Spartans had other ideas. The Buckeyes led 13-3 with 9:03 to play, but the Spartans came back to take the lead, 16-13. With 3:17 to go, the Buckeyes started a 70 yard drive culminating with Champ Henson being tackled at the MSU 1 yard line with 29 seconds left. The Buckeyes were out of timeouts so they tried to hurry to get lined up, while the Spartan defenders laid on the Buckeyes preventing them from getting up. Typically in that situation, the officials of the time would call timeout. But these officials didn't. The Buckeyes finally lined up and snapped the ball with one second to play. The ball squirted through QB Cornelius Green's legs and was picked up by Flanker Brian Baschnagel, who trotted into the end zone for an apparent touchdown. Several officials raised their arms to signal touchdown, but were overruled by another official who said time had run out before the snap. It was also determined that even if the Buckeyes were able to get the snap off in time, they would have been penalized for not being set for a full second before the snap. But even if that was the case, with the rules of the time, they would have had one last play from the six yard line. But the officials ran off the field in a hurry with no explanation. After 40 minutes, it was officially announce that MSU had won the ball game. Needless to say, Woody was not happy. The Buckeyes still won the B1G and the #3 Buckeyes would lose to 5th ranked USC in the Rose Bowl 18-17 to finish the season 10-2 and ranked 4th.
- 1998: The #1 ranked and undefeated Buckeyes were 28 point favorites against the unranked Nick Saban led Spartans. Everything was going well for OSU, who led 24-9 with 7:56 to go in the 3rd quarter, and the Bucks forcing a Spartan punt from deep in their own territory. But the punter shanked his punt, which bounced off the leg of a Buckeye player, who didn't even see the ball coming towards him. Michigan State recovered and it was all Spartans from that point on. Sparty scored to pull to within 24-15. On OSU's ensuing possession, Michael Wiley fumbled at the Buckeye 35. But the defense held and MSU kicked a 49 yard FG. 24-18 Buckeyes. The Buckeyes couldn't do anything with the ball and pins the Spartans on their own 8 yard line. No problem for Sparty. They drive the length of the field and take a 25-24 lead with 14:20 to play. After a Joe Germaine fumble, MSU kicks a 42 yard field goal to take a 28-24 lead with 9:26 to go. Buck the Buckeyes weren't done just yet. With 3:33 to play, the Bucks go for it on a 4th and one at the MSU 26. STUFFED! But the Buckeyes hold and get the ball back at their own 48 with 1:39 to play. It's do or die time. Germaine drives his team to the MSU 15 yard line. First down - incomplete. Second down - incomplete. Third down - incomplete. Last chance. Intercepted. Game over. One of John Cooper's most talented teams had just lost it's chance at a national championship. The #3 Buckeyes went on to beat the 8th ranked Texas A&M Aggies 24-14 in the Sugar Bowl, to end the season 11-1 and ranked #2 behind Tennessee.
- 2015: Urban Meyer's most talented team was ranked #2 when Mark Dantonio's 9th ranked Spartans came calling on a rainy, nasty, November Saturday. The entire game was ugly, and the loss of Buckeye offensive coordinator, Tom Herman, was evident. Due to an uninspired game plan , the game was knotted at 14 each when MSU received an OSU punt at the Buckeye 48 with 4:07 to play. The Spartans then held onto the ball as they drove it down to the 23 yard line. With 3 seconds left on the clock, the 41 yard field goal sailed through the uprights. Game over. MSU went on to get demolished by Alabama in the CFP 38-0 and finished 12-2 and ranked 6th. The Buckeyes beat #8 Notre Dame 42-28 in the Fiesta Bowl and finished the season at 12-1 and ranked 4th.
As you can see, the Spartans have been a thorn in the Buckeye's side on several occasions. Here's hoping that Saturday night will not be another one!
