INSTANT REACTION: Ohio State Buckeyes Destroy Michigan State 38-3! | Ohio State Buckeyes Podcast

No. 1 Ohio State moved to 10-0 (7-0 Big Ten) after beating Michigan State (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten) 38-3 on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

While the Buckeyes have been a second half team much of the season, that was not the case on Saturday against the Spartans.

Marvin Harrison Jr. led a first half onslaught of five touchdowns, including a hat trick for the Heisman candidate. With the win firmly in hand, OSU’s only second half points came off a field goal.

Michigan State wasn’t completely helpless, forcing punts and getting into field goal range multiple times, but the Spartans were still overpowered and outmatched against a team on a very different trajectory from its own.

With the loss, MSU will officially miss the postseason for the second-straight season. The Spartans needed an upset for any hope of becoming bowl-eligible.

Buckeye quarterback Kyle McCord impressed in the victory, going 24-31 for 335 yards and averaging 10.8 yards while being on the throwing end of the three touchdowns to Harrison Jr.

Next up, Ohio State will face Minnesota before its regular season finale against No. 3 Michigan. Michigan State will face Indiana and No. 10 Penn State to close.

FINAL: Ohio State 38 – Michigan State 3

Sam Leavitt’s redshirt protected another week

For at least this week, dual threat quarterback Sam Leavitt (FR) will protect his redshirt status, as junior Andrew Schorfhaar comes in at QB for the Spartans.

MSU has stuck to its starter for the most part this season, whether it be Noah Kim or Katin Houser, but the Spartans have subbed in others, namely Leavitt and Schorfhaar, to switch things up, potentially try to spark something, and also get less experienced players reps.

Buckeyes can’t capitalize in Red Zone

Ohio State shaved nearly 6 minutes off the clock on their latest drive, but an illegal formation penalty seemingly killed the drive on the edge of the red zone at MSU’s 24. Jayden Fielding missed a 42-yard field goal.

End of 3rd Quarter, MSU 3 – OSU 38

Michigan State punted it away just before the end of the quarter and OSU has another chance to increase its lead.

Pair of punts give Spartans another chance to eat in to OSU lead

After Michigan State and Ohio State were both forced to punt on their respective drives, the Spartans get the ball back to try to eat in to the Buckeyes’ lead.

57-yard pass sets up OSU FG, MSU 3 – OSU 38

On the first play of the drive, Kyle McCord hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 57-yard gain to the MSU 20, but after a short run and two incompletions, the Buckeyes had to settle for a 36-yard field goal to make it a 35-point game.

3 and out to start for MSU

Michigan State was slow out of the locker room and unable to get anything going before kicking it away.

Halftime, MSU 3 – OSU 35

Stover scores MSU 3 – OSU 35

With 15 seconds on the clock, Ohio State made it a 32-point lead with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Kyle McCord to Cade Stover.