As always, presented without comment. (Now with 4th Down Conversions!)

Stats are grabbed from cfbstats.com

This was posted earlier today by Beau Bishop, and it’s just bad news all around:

The while the Buckeyes have sufficient reserves to absorb a blow like this, the defensive line takes a massive hit losing Spence.

More on this as it develops.

It’s that time again, the time when you guys (and yes, we know we have women readers, but they’d never get this far without taking care of their shopping) need some help with your holiday shopping. Let us be your personal shopping concierges and point you in some great Ohio State gift ideas.

We did this last year and had a lot of fun with it, so we’re back for another year. We won’t repeat many ideas from last year, you can read it here.

Surveying the landscape of Buckeye-themed products at Amazon.com once again proves that there is some pretty weird stuff out there. Seems like just about anyone will slap a Block O on something and sucker someone into buying it. Things run the gamut from this odd Marilyn Monroe in an “Ohio State Buckeyes Jersey” iPhone case to this even odder Joker Samsung Galaxy S3 case. Is that even legal to mix to trademarked properties like that? It doesn’t seem like it. Of course there are more practical (but still a little outlandish) gifts you can find like this Eight piece Ohio State Buckeyes Comforter Set for the ultimate Buckeye bedroom, but it just feels strange.

So this year I went with a couple themes that could be useful as you try to figure out how to get something for that special Buckeye in your life. The first theme is for the Office Jockey who wants to show off his Buckeye love in every aspect of his cubicle life. Everyone needs a beverage to sip as they slave of spreadsheets, so why not get this black stainless steel tumbler for their hot beverages? And if coffee isn’t their thing, there’s a similar tumbler with a straw for icing down that Diet Coke.

For the drive in to work, a Buckeye steering wheel cover (pictured at the left) will make driving whatever car you drive feel like a BMW. (If you already drive a BMW, it will be like a BMW-squared). Getting to work is one thing, but you also need something to keep all that important work you do safe, and you could do worse than going with one of these leather attache case or leather legal briefcase. Then, arriving at your desk, what better place to sit than your General Manager Task Chair as you consider your vast empire. You have it so good you’ve got this High Brillance Diamond Cut Crystal Paperweight with a Buckeye logo and think does it get any better than this? You Ohio State Wood Business Cardholder says no. No it does not get any better than being a Buckeye fan.

For the person on your list who loves to read and has a Kindle, load that puppy up with some new books. There’s the Dispatch’s Bill Rabinowitz’s Buckeye Rebirth: Urban Meyer, an Inspired Team, and a New Era at Ohio State (because who doesn’t love to read about undefeated seasons? If you want to watch that glorious season, there’s Ohio State Game Time 2012 Season in Review [with Urban Meyer] as well)). There’s also Maurice Clarett (whom I just decided will no longer be referred to as He Who Shall Not Be Named) and his book Maurice Clarett, Redemption, a collection of thoughts to a journey of redemption. And finally, why not send a little coin to our fellow blog brethren at 11W by grabbing the Kindle subscription of their site, Eleven Warriors.

For the snazzy dresser on your list, these cufflinks are amazing. And a tie bar really pulls the whole thing together.

Last year we featured the Block O branding iron to sear Block O in your steak. This year we’re going a little easy on the classy with the hot dog brander. Take your pick and brand your dog “BUCKEYES” or “OHIO STATE” you can’t go wrong either way. When the grilling is done, cover up that precious shrine to the char Gods with an OSU grill cover

Finally, a couple memorabilia items for their Buckeye Man Cave: Eddie George Autographed Red Ohio State Jersey or Archie Griffin Autographed White Ohio State Jersey HT 74/75 PSA/DNA You can go wrong either way. Oh, and if Willis McGahee is on your Christmas list, I’m sure he’ll totally appreciate under this his Christmas tree.

Finally, if you were thinking of picking up something for one of your favorite blogger, I bet he’d love one of these. (Just saying)

(Note: All these Amazon.com links have our affiliate code embedded in them. If you purchase something through our link, we get a little commission and you support our site with no extra cost to you. It’s greatly appreciated.)

That wasn’t fun.

The first quarter was mostly dominated by Michigan State’s plodding offense and some real bad Ohio State brain farts. Ohio State kept Michigan State’s first drive alive with two boneheaded pass interference calls (Shazier’s penalty was a real head scratcher).

Along with the bad plays, things were definitely getting chippy.

A touchdown pass to Lippet after a long TD pass to Mumphrey put the Spartans up big, 17-0 and Ohio State looked totally out of synch and completely lost.

Buckeyes finally got on track scoring 10 unanswered points to end the first half and scored on their first possession in the second half. Braxton Miller looked much more comfortable in the 2nd quarter and Carlos Hyde was still unstoppable.

After tying the score at 17 a piece, Michigan State looked to be on a decent drive when CJ Barnett stepped in front of a Connor Cook pass and intercepted.

After a stalled drive, Ohio State pinned Michigan State inside their 5, and forced a 3 and out. Buckeyes then marched down the field, almost strictly running the ball. It was pure MANBALL and there was nothing Michigan State could do. Ohio State too the lead 24-17 after scoring 24 unanswered points.

Michigan started their next drive with a big run by Langford. After going for it on 4th and 2, Sparty had to settle for a 44 yard field goal, 24-20 Ohio State.

After a little back and forth, Connor Cook drove Michigan State and capped off a 90 yard drive with a throw across the field to a wide open tight end to take the lead, 27-24.

A punt block by Shazier with a little less than eight minutes left gave OSU the ball on MSU’s 48 yard line. Ohio State had to go for it on 4th down and failed to convert, giving the ball back to MSU with 5 minutes left.

Michigan State would drive for a gutbusting touchdown to take the lead 34-24.

After Braxton’s 4th and 10 pass fell short, Michigan State took over on downs.

I hate sports. Good night.

Kick-off is less than thirty minutes away. Use this open thread to comment on the game, plays that were amazing, and if you want, how putrid that SEC championship game has been. BARF.

Kick-off is 8:17 PM EST on FOX. Gus Johnson MAGIC!

Update:End of the First Quarter, MSU 3 OSU 0

Not a pretty quarter for Ohio State. Poor decisions on 3rd down kept Michigan State’s field goal drive alive. Offense looks a little out of synch.

Update:End of the First half, MSU 17 OSU 10

For as poorly Ohio State played on both sides of the ball, this score is more than manageable. The defense has been great against the run but they can’t get off the field. MSU has played great but they still can’t stop Braxton. He’s going to be the deciding factor in the second half.

Update: End of third quarter, OSU 24 MSU 20

Ohio State came roaring out at the start of the third quarter and is playing much more coherently on both sides of the ball. 24 unanswered points before MSU kicked a field goal.

As always, presented without comment. (Now with 4th Down Conversions!)

Stats are grabbed from cfbstats.com