C.J. Stroud

Ohio State needed to make a big statement to crush any doubts it was worthy of a College Football Playoff spot. Well, the Buckeyes did that and then some against No. 7 Michigan State on Saturday, winning 56-7 at home. 

No. 4 OSU entered the day as a 19.5-point favorite, and although the number seemed a bit high, the Bucks not only covered that, but they also defeated Sparty by 49 points. It wasn't just a statement, it was an absolute drubbing with an exclamation point that gives the Buckeyes all the momentum they need nearing the end of the season.

As highly anticipated as this Big Ten East matchup was, this game felt pretty much over in the first quarter.

OSU took a 21-0 lead after a 43-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud to Chris Olave with 2:31 left in the opening frame. And the Buckeyes didn't let up from there—they took a 42-0 lead with 7:01 left in the first half. They added another touchdown late in the second quarter to go to the locker room with a 49-0 cushion. 

This version of Ohio State stood in stark contrast to the team we saw earlier in the year. That iteration was surrounded by plenty of questions regarding just how good it could be, and for good reason. The Bucks had just 11 total starters returning on both sides of the ball, including five on offense. Notable departures included big names such as quarterback Justin Fields and running back Trey Sermon. 

Stepping in at the No. 1 QB spot was the redshirt freshman Stroud. Although he was a 4-star prospect in high school, getting the starting job at OSU is a different ballgame. 

He threw an interception in each of his first three starts, including one in the final minutes of OSU's 35-28 loss to Oregon on Sept. 11, the program's first home defeat since 2017. Although the Buckeyes kept winning after the Oregon loss, they didn't look all that dominating as the season went on. 

Most notably, the Buckeyes had close wins against Penn State on Oct. 30 and a below-.500 Nebraska on Nov. 6 in Lincoln. Stroud threw a career-high two interceptions against the Cornhuskers in an unconvincing 26-17 win. 

But in the last couple of weeks, Ohio State garnered a pair of statement wins. Last Saturday, the Buckeyes played a Purdue team that was coming off an upset victory over then-No. 3 Michigan State. Ohio State routed the Boilermakers 59-31 and had a 28-point lead at halftime. 

Against Michigan State, Ohio State put up 655 total yards, most of those coming in the air. Stroud had 432 passing yards and a career-high six touchdowns. Receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson had two touchdown receptions apiece in the first half alone. 

Still, Buckeyes' playoff berth isn't solidified just yet.

Ahead for Ohio State is the regular-season finale against the No. 6 Michigan Wolverines. Next Saturday, OSU will go on the road to face Jim Harbaugh and a 9-1 Michigan that also has legitimate playoff chances—its lone loss coming to Michigan State on the road on Oct. 30. 

As my colleague Adam Kramer pointed out last week, Michigan appears to be avoiding the failures of a typical Harbaugh-guided Wolverines team. Coming from behind twice to win a close game on the road against Penn State last week may hint that this Wolverines team just might be different. At the very least, it shows it has earned the right to be in the playoff conversation. 

But as we look ahead to Ohio State-Michigan, there is one glaring fact regarding The Game: the streak. Michigan hasn't beaten Ohio State since 2011, long before Harbaugh arrived in Ann Arbor in 2015.

Not to mention the fact that OSU has won the last three games in this rivalry by an average of 21 points—a combined 52 in the last two meetings. 

But this Michigan team does feel different. Wolverine quarterback Cade McNamara is leading one of the most productive Wolverine offenses Harbaugh has had in his seven seasons in Ann Arbor. They were also eighth in the nation in total defense heading into Saturday and giving up just 16.1 points per game, which was ranked fourth. Win this one, and it's on to the Big Ten title game Dec. 4 for OSU.

One thing's for certain after the last two weeks: The Buckeyes continue to trend way up as they make a crystal clear case to the playoff committee.

Recruit rankings via 247Sports. 

The No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes have the best wide receivers in college football this season, and maybe the best quarterback, too. Just ask Michigan State.

C.J. Stroud and the receiving trio of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba smoked the No. 7 Spartans (9-2) on Saturday, leading the way in Ohio State's 56-7 blowout home win, a result that has huge implications in the Big Ten title race.

Ohio State's three-headed monster at wideout combined for 24 catches, 371 yards and five scores. Borderline comical production. And by the time the first half mercifully ended, with the Buckeyes up 49-0, Stroud had already thrown for 393 yards and six touchdowns.

There are blowouts, and then there are blowouts. This was certainly the latter.

The win moved the Buckeyes to 10-1 and 8-0 in the Big Ten. They are a victory away from winning the Big Ten East and earning a berth in the Big Ten title game, though Michigan (9-1, 6-1) looms next week. Michigan State's conference title hopes and College Football Playoff aspirations have vanished, however.

Key Stats

C.J. Stroud, OSU: 32-of-35 for 432 yards and six touchdowns

Chris Olave, OSU: Seven catches for 140 yards and two scores

Garrett Wilson, OSU: Seven catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns

Payton Thorne, MSU: 14-of-36 for 158 yards and a score

Kenneth Walker III, MSU: Six carries for 25 yards; one catch for four yards

Keon Coleman, MSU: Three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown

C.J. Stroud Has to Be the Heisman Favorite After Saturday's Performance

Stroud didn't even need to have a statement game against Michigan State. He said all he needed to say in the first half.

There's no doubt he'll be the unquestioned leader in the clubhouse for this year's Heisman Trophy after Saturday's performance. Unless he lays an absolute egg next week against Michigan, the hardware should be his.

One of Stroud's primary competitors for the Heisman coming into the matchup was Walker. But after being a non-factor against the Ohio State defense, Walker likely will fade from contention. This appears to be a race between Stroud and Alabama's Bryce Young now.

MSU's Pass Defense Cost Them Everything This Season

Coming into Saturday, Michigan State was giving up 329 passing yards per game, the worst mark in the nation. Against Ohio State's incredibly deadly passing game, those deficiencies were more than exposed.

For most of the season, Michigan State has weathered the storm. But in losses to Purdue (536 passing yards allowed) and Ohio State (449 passing yards allowed), the Spartans couldn't find shelter.

It didn't help that Michigan State's offense failed to do anything against Ohio State and never established Walker and the run game. A bit of ball control certainly would have helped.

But this game was lost by Michigan State's complete inability to defend the pass. When these players and coaches reflect upon this season in the future, they'll lament that particular Achilles' heel.

What's Next?

The big one. Ohio State travels to Michigan next Saturday at noon ET, with absolutely everything on the line for both teams. Michigan State will look to stay in the running for a solid bowl game when it hosts Penn State next Saturday (time TBD).