Meet the Michigan State football team, the sixth game of Ohio State football schedule in 2022
After opening the season with five straight home games, Ohio State will receive a test when it travels to Michigan State on Oct. 8 for the team's first road game of the season.
The Buckeyes will meet a Michigan State team that went 11-2 last year with a 31-21 win over Pittsburgh in the Peach Bowl.
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Ohio State will face former Buckeyes defensive assistant in Michigan State's Mel Tucker. The Spartans coach received a 10-year, $95 million contract last November.
Michigan State has 14 returning starters this season, five on offense and nine on defense.
Here's what we know about the Michigan State Spartans in 2022.
Ohio State vs. Michigan State all-time record
Ohio State leads the all-time series with the team from East Lansing, Mich. The Buckeyes are 35-15 all-time against the Spartans. The Buckeyes defeated Michigan State on the road last season, 56-7.
What does the Michigan State 2022 schedule look like?
Here is who Michigan State plays this season.
Sept. 2: Western Michigan
Sept. 10: Akron
Sept. 17: at Washington
Sept. 24: Minnesota
Oct. 1: at Maryland
Oct. 8: Ohio State
Oct. 15: Wisconsin
Oct. 29: at Michigan
Nov. 5: at Illinois
Nov. 12: Rutgers
Nov. 19: Indiana
Nov. 26: at Penn State
Who are the best NFL 2023 Draft prospects on Michigan State?
Wide receiver Jayden Reed and safety Xavier Henderson were listed as top potential 2023 NFL Draft picks, according to mlive.com. Here is what they had to say about Reed and Henderson.
Wide receiver Jayden Reed posted a career year last season but believes he hasn't reached his full potential.
Reed posted career highs last season with 59 catches for 1,026 yards and 10 touchdowns and had two punt return touchdowns. He was named a first team All-American as an all-purpose player by the American Football Coaches Association and returned to the Spartans instead of entering the draft. Reed said there were multiple reasons for passing on the draft and believes he hasn’t come close to reaching his potential.
Safety Xavier Henderson was expected to leave for the NFL Draft, but decided to come back for a year of seasoning.
Henderson headed into his senior season last year expecting it to be his last in college but changed his mind late in the year and is taking the additional season of eligibility provided by the NCAA due to COVID-19. He is a three-year starter who has appeared in all 46 games over four seasons and had 96 tackles, including 10 for a loss, three sacks, one interception and a forced fumble last season. Henderson plans on playing both safety spots this year while improving his NFL draft stock.
Previewing the Michigan State Spartans offense
The Spartans are led by Crafty quarterback Payton Thorne who set a school record with 27 touchdowns last season.
In addition to Reed, Tre Mosley and Illinois transfer Daniel Barker are the top receivers for Michigan State.
The Spartans will hope to replace NFL draftee Kenneth Walker at running back with transfers Jalen Berger from Wisconsin and Jarek Broussard from Colorado.
Previewing the Michigan State Spartans defense
The Spartans are hoping for improvement in 2022 for the team's defense.
Last season, Michigan State ranked No. 72 in the nation in yards allowed per play and No. 111 in total defense.
Michigan State's defense led the Big Ten in sacks but ranked No. 11 in the conference in third-down defense,
In addition to Henderson, Georgia transfer cornerback Ameer Speed is expected to be a top player on the team's defense.
Ohio State football schedule 2022
Week 1: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3, in Columbus, Ohio
Week 2: Ohio State vs. Arkansas State, Sept. 10, in Columbus, Ohio
Week 3: Ohio State vs. Toledo, Sept. 17, in Columbus, Ohio
Week 4: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Sept. 24, Columbus, Ohio
Week 5: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, Oct. 1, Columbus Ohio
Week 6: Ohio State vs. Michigan State, Oct. 8, East Lansing, Mich.
Week 7: Ohio State vs. Iowa, Oct. 22, Columbus, Ohio
Week 8: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Oct. 29, State College, Pa.
Week 9: Ohio State vs. Northwestern, Nov. 5, Evanston, Ill.
Week 10: Ohio State vs Indiana, Nov. 12, Columbus, Ohio
Week 11: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Nov. 19, College Park, MD.
Week 12: Ohio State vs. Michigan, at noon Nov. 26, Columbus, Ohio
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet Michigan State, Ohio State football's sixth opponent in 2022
