EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 05: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a first half touchdown past Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on December 05, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Ohio State entered Saturday’s game against Michigan State with some questions marks. The Buckeyes haven’t played in two weeks and went to East Lansing, Michigan without their head coach, Ryan Day.
Justin Fields’ team is also without several notable players against the Spartans. There are 17 scholarship players unable to play against Michigan State on Saturday.
But so far, so good.
Ohio State is leading Michigan State, 28-0, at halftime. The Buckeyes have very much looked the part of a College Football Playoff team.
Justin Fields is playing behind a makeshift offensive line, with several Buckeyes starters out, but he’s making the best of it.
First game in two weeks and Justin Fields has already found the end zone 😤
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/04SjCkHdcd
— ESPN (@espn) December 5, 2020
Ohio State appears to be shutting down any questions the media had about the Buckeyes and their College Football Playoff eligibility.
Earlier this week, an SEC Network host had some major questions for the Buckeyes as they move forward toward the playoff.
In Week 9 of 2017 3rd ranked Ohio State lost by 31 to unranked Iowa
In Week 8 of 2018 2nd ranked Ohio State lost by 29 to unranked Purdue
There is NO WAY I'm willing to rubber stamp Buckeyes a Playoff spot if they don't play a similar amount of games as other playoff contenders
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) December 3, 2020
It doesn’t look like that will be happening to the Buckeyes in 2020, though.
Ohio State has been very, very impressive in East Lansing, Michigan so far.
As for @OhioStateFB , missing three starters on O line with another, @h_miller76 , moving from LG to C, and missing major starter @Tuf_Borland at MLB, plus head coach @ryandaytime and 3 other coaches, up 28-0 at the half on the road — That's pretty damn remarkable vs. anybody.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) December 5, 2020
Ohio State, as long as it holds on in the second half, will move to 5-0 on the season with a win at Michigan State.
Next up for the Buckeyes: Michigan. However, the status of that game remains up in the air.
