A Spartan Invasion In November Looms Large For Ohio State

“The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.” ~ Ulysses S. Grant

Leave it to a native Ohioan to spell it out what needs to be done in order to win. West Point graduate, Civil War general, and former United State President, I am willing to bet Ulysses S. Grant would have given football coaching a shot if it had been around in his day.

While counting down the days until the 2015 college football season begins, I thought I would pass the time by ranking and reviewing the upcoming 2015 Ohio State opponents, from least difficult to most difficult. This ranking system of mine will be highly subjective, prone to possibilities of injuries, transfers, or other unforeseen events that could dramatically impact its accuracy. As always, I encourage comments and critique about what I have projected.

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We are getting into the stretch of games that I believe will be challenging for Ohio State. Not impossible, not insurmountable, but the type of games and opponents that Ohio State fans would be wise to not overlook or be overconfident about as the games approach. I am willing to bet that Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer and his coaching staff will be on guard against any overconfidence with the players.

The countdown to the most difficult Ohio State opponent is over. By process of elimination…

@SYRmotsag @ChipMinnich so you think MSU is the hardest game on the schedule?

— Timoteo (@Tio_Tim) July 31, 2015

Michigan State Spartans (Game 11)

2015 OSU Opponent Ranking: 1 out of 12

Players Recruited By Ohio State: DL Malik McDowell, DE Lawrence Thomas, DB Montae Nicholson, DB Demetrius Cox, OL Dennis Finley, RB L.J. Scott, OL Noah Listermann. There are many players from the state of Ohio on Michigan State’s roster (more on that later), but did not receive offers from Ohio State. A shout-out to Avon Lake freshman FB Collin Lucas, from my hometown. I am more than willing to bet I may have inadvertently missed on some players; please let me know and I am happy to correct my error(s).

Game Date: November 21, 2015.

Kickoff Time: TBD

Location: Ohio Stadium

Rationale For The Ranking: In 2012, Ohio State held on for a one point victory at Michigan State, 17-16. In 2013, Michigan State crushed Ohio State’s hopes for a BCS Championship berth, 34-24. Last season, Ohio State traveled to East Lansing to face the Spartans, and prevailed 49-37. With a roster full of Ohioans who have felt overlooked and snubbed, and a coaching staff of assistants that has extensive ties to the previous Jim Tressel regime, these games have been epic since Urban Meyer has become Ohio State’s head coach. Anyone truly thinking this game won’t live up to the other recent battles?

Prediction: Think of this game as the B1G Eastern Division elimination game. The winner will be in the driver’s seat for the division championship, and could possibly be angling for seeding in The College Football Playoff. If Michigan State is undefeated heading into this contest, as many/I believe Ohio State will be, and Ohio State defeats Michigan State in a close one? Don’t be surprised if Michigan State gets another shot at the Buckeyes in The College Football Playoff. Remember where you read it, folks.