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In the meantime, this matchup is undoubtedly the best in the short life of the Big Ten Championship game. Let's get down to the numbers, shall we?
#10 Michigan St. Spartans (11-1; 8-0 Big Ten) vs # 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes (12-0; 8-0 Big Ten)
8:17 p.m. ET, December 7, 2013--FOX
Lucas Oil Stadium (Capacity: 67,455 / Indianapolis, IN)
| Michigan State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Ohio State | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 186.2 (47) | 100.0 (5) |
Rushing Defense (ypg) |
 |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 194.0 (94) |
255.8 (98) | Passing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency | 126.26 (75) | 128.37 (73) |
Pass Efficiency Defense | Push |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 380.2 (84) | 355.8 (30) |
Total Defense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 29.4 (63) | 20.3 (18) | Scoring Defense (ppg) |
|
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 64.8 (1) | 321.3 (2) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 172.9 (9) | 209.3 (83) | Passing Offense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 91.79 (1) |
164.0 (7) | Pass Efficiency | Push |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 237.7 (1) | 530.5 (6) | Total Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 11.8 (4) |
48.2 (3) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | Push |
| Net Punting Yds | 38.46 (29) | 8.69 (56) | Punt Return Yds | |
| Punt Return Yds | 9.88 (43) | 39.84 (13) | Net Punting Yds |
|
| Kickoff Return Yds | 18.4 (111) |
17.93 (9) | Kickoff Return Defense |
|
| Kickoff Return Defense | 20.76 (56) | 22.92 (38) |
Kickoff Return Yds | Push |
| Turnover Margin | +1.3 (5) |
+.5 (T-28) | Turnover Margin | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 54.25 (92) | 43.0 (46) | Penalty Yds/Game | |
| Sacks | 2.42/gm (T-38) |
1.25 (T-21) |
Sacks Allowed | Push |
| Sacks Allowed | 1.0/gm (T-12) |
3.25 (T-21) |
Sacks | Push |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 80% (T-78) |
78.9% (35) |
Redzone Defense (%) | |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 73.9% (T-18) |
94.6% (4) |
Redzone Offense (%) | Push |
| Redzone TD % | 55.56% | 65.79% |
Redzone TD % Defense | Push |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 43.48% |
83.93% |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 46% (28) |
34.5% (25) |
3rd Down Defense % |
|
| 3rd Down Defense % | 28.7% (2) |
52.1% (9) | 3rd Down Conv. % | Push |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 58.3% (T-31) | 52.4% (T-66) |
4th Down Defense % | |
| 4th Down Defense % | 40% (24) |
66.7% (T-12) |
4th Down Conv. % | Push |
| 1st Downs | 249 (63) | 236 (47) |
1st Downs Allowed | Push |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 169 (T-2) |
314 (9) | 1st Downs | Push |
| Time of Posession | 33:32 (6) |
31:38 (33) |
Time of Posession | |
Difference <25 in National Rank = Push
Difference >25 in National Rank = 
Difference >50 in National Rank =
Difference >75 in National Rank =
Difference >100 in National Rank =
Note: The Redzone TD% and Redzone TD% Defense are calculated by me and not ranked by the NCAA. Determining who has the advantage in these categories is strictly my arbitrary judgment.
Quick thoughts: You'd be hard pressed to find a more even match up.
The focus of this game, of course, will be MSU's vaunted defense against OSU's explosive offense--immovable object meets unstoppable force, indeed. But if the Buckeye defense can stop the Spartan offense, what happens then? How does that impact the game?
I'm actually more interested to see how special teams factors into this game. If this was a Tressel-Dantonio matchup, I'd expect a low-scoring, field-position battle. As it stands, though, I'm not so sure. MSU's D is certainly legit, but so is Braxton Miller. Either way, I'll be watching--and hoping for some great football on a big stage this week.
What say you guys? Will you be watching--and, if so, is there anything that could make you root at all for the Buckeyes?
