Another test waits in Spartans

If all goes according to form, Ohio State would face Michigan on the last Saturday of the month, with a division title in the balance.

Before that, though, the Buckeyes have other challenges.

This week, it’s Michigan State that stands in the way, and although Ohio State routed the Spartans, 48-3, a season ago, there have been enough tight games in this series lately that the Nov. 10 matchup should have the eighth-ranked Buckeyes’ attention. The 24th-ranked Spartans will be at home, and they still have a lot to play for themselves.

“Very strong rivalry,” Ohio State coach Urban

Meyer said. “We have a lot of respect for that team.”

The rivalry with Michigan can wait: Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. was apparently willing to solicit help from Wolverines QB Shea Patterson while preparing for this matchup with Michigan State. Haskins said he and Patterson have known each other since eighth grade from football all-star games and camps, and they’ve spoken about the Spartans.

“I hit him up asking how they played defensively, and he just gave me some tips going into this week,” Haskins said.

Haskins said he doesn’t even root against Patterson as long as the Wolverines are playing someone else.

“He’s doing well this year,” Haskins said. “Looking forward to playing them when we do play them. But right now it’s Michigan State, so he’s helping me out with Michigan State.”

Patterson led Michigan to a 21-7 win over the Spartans on Oct. 20, but Michigan State (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten, No. 18 CFP) can still position itself for a prestigious bowl with a strong finish. A win over the Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1, No. 10) would do wonders.

“Once we kind of get toward the end of the season, and you start seeing the bowl predictions,” Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke said. “All that we can do now, now that we’re in bowl position, is just win out and try to win as many games as we can, just keep trying to get to a better and better bowl for us.”

Here are a few things to know before the Spartans host the Buckeyes: