On paper, Ohio State dominated Michigan State 38-7 on Saturday in East Lansing while holding the Spartans to 246 total yards. However, the Spartans were moving the football, especially in the first half.

Michigan State had drives of 55 yards, 64 yards, 12 yards (on a short field following an INT) and 59 yards the first four times it had the ball. Two of those drives resulted in fumbles, one ended in a turnover on downs, and the 12-yard drive finished in the end zone for a touchdown.

“It was pretty frustrating,” offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brian Lindgren said this week about not cashing in on the opportunities. “I thought we did a lot of good things against one of the top defenses in the country. It was good to see. I felt like our guys came out, started fast, were making some plays, mixing it up, executing at a high level. Get down there, fourth-and-1, we get stopped on that drive and then two turnovers in the low red zone. It crushes you. I just think if we’re able to push some of those in then it’s a totally different game coming out of half.”

More from Lindgren:

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It’s essentially going to take a mistake free effort. Looking back at last week, even mistake free we probably lose. OSU is a juggernaut. BUT without the Velling fumble, failed 4th down conversion, dropped interception, and Chiles gets the call on the facemask, we probably lose something like 45-31. Very competitive game.

Oregon is very talented, but they are not Ohio State. If we went toe to toe with OSU for a quarter and a half, even with the mistakes, I like to believe we have not seen the best this team can be.

I was curious so I checked out a few Oregon message boards. They are worried about one of their corners, their run defense, offensive run game. Lindgren has done a beautiful job of scheming wide receivers open every single game this season. I’m sure they will see the weaknesses in their secondary and expose them. Chiles will need to play within himself. We will need to win the turnover battle. I truly like our chances.

I just have a feeling this is the game MSU finally puts it all together and finds themselves in a tie game late in the 4th. The defense gets the offense the ball back, and J Kim hits a bomb with little to no time left to seal it.

Within a 15 minute span, I received the Oasis presale code for the Soldier Field show (not my first choice) and then my ex-wife texted me and told me that she bought four Taylor Swift tickets for the November 1, 2024, Indianapolis show for face value ($400 each), and my girlfriend told me that she thinks we may need to break up.... What a wonderful day!!!!! (I've been trying to break up with her for about two months now)

2026 Division I Regionals

• Lansing, MI
• Forest Akers
• Hosts: Michigan State University and Lansing Sports Commission

2028 Division I Midwest Regional

• Detroit, MI
• Little Caesars Arena
• Hosts: University of Detroit Mercy, Oakland University and Detroit Sports Commission

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