As the college football season comes to a close, the Big Ten East race is shaping up to be one of the tightest, with one of the most pivotal games of the season set to kick off on Saturday between Ohio State and Michigan State.
Just one game separates the two in the standings and both the Buckeyes and Spartans boast some of the nation's most dynamic offensive skill position players.
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On Ohio State, take your pick and you'll get burned offensively. Wide receivers Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Garrett Wilson, running back TreVeyon Henderson or tight end Jeremy Ruckert can all do major damage and can at any one time become quarterback CJ Stroud's or the Buckeyes' go-to playmaker.
For their efforts, the Buckeyes rank third in third down conversion percentage, sixth in passing offense and most notably, first in points per game.
Michigan State meanwhile, has Kenneth Walker, one of the most electric running backs in the country. A Wake Forest transfer, Walker ranks first in the conference and second nationally in rushing yards, leads both the Big Ten and nation in rushing touchdowns and is averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
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He's been a big part of why the Spartans are 9-1 on the season and 6-1 in the Big Ten. The Spartans' success is also a big reason why coach Mel Tucker is reportedly in line to sign a historic contract extension to keep him in East Lansing for the next decade.
This matchup figures to have its share of explosive offensive plays. Sporting News has all the info you need to catch this marquee Big Ten game.
MORE: Watch Ohio State vs. Michigan State live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is Ohio State vs. Michigan State on today?
- TV channel (national): ABC
- Live stream: ESPN App, fuboTV
This matchup between Big Ten powers will air on ABC. Chris Fowler will handle play-by-play duties with former Buckeyes QB Kirk Herbstreit joining him as the analyst. The two will be accompanied by Holly Rowe reporting from the sidelines.
Ohio State vs. Michigan State start time
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 20
- Kickoff: Noon ET
Ohio State vs. Michigan State will kick off at noon ET from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State football schedule 2021
| Opponent | Date | Outcome |
| at Minnesota | Sept. 2 | Ohio State 45, Minnesota 31 |
| vs. No. 12 Oregon | Sept. 11 | Oregon 35, Ohio State 28 |
| vs. Tulsa | Sept. 18 | Ohio State 41, Tulsa 20 |
| vs. Akron | Sept. 25 | Ohio State 59, Akron 7 |
| at Rutgers | Oct. 2 | Ohio State 52, Rutgers 13 |
| vs. Maryland | Oct. 9 | Ohio State 66, Maryland 17 |
| at Indiana | Oct. 23 | Ohio State 54, Indiana 7 |
| vs. Penn State | Oct. 30 | Ohio State 33, Penn State 24 |
| at Nebraska | Nov. 6 | Ohio State 26, Nebraska 17 |
| vs. Purdue | Nov. 13 | Ohio State 59, Purdue 31 |
| vs. Michigan State | Nov. 20 | TBD |
| at Michigan | Nov. 27 | TBD |
Michigan State football schedule 2021
| Opponent | Date | Outcome |
| at Northwestern | Sept. 3 | Michigan State 38, Northwestern 21 |
| vs. Youngstown State | Sept. 11 | Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 14 |
| at No. 24 Miami (FL) | Sept. 18 | Michigan State 38, Miami 17 |
| vs. Nebraska | Sept. 25 | Michigan State 23, Nebraska 20 (OT) |
| vs. Western Kentucky | Oct. 2 | Michigan State 48, Western Kentucky 31 |
| at Rutgers | Oct. 9 | Michigan State 31, Rutgers 13 |
| at Indiana | Oct. 23 | Michigan State 20, Indiana 15 |
| vs. Michigan | Oct. 30 | Michigan State 37, Michigan 33 |
| at Purdue | Nov. 6 | Purdue 40, Michigan 29 |
| vs. Maryland | Nov. 13 | Michigan State 40, Maryland 21 |
| at Ohio State | Nov. 20 | TBD |
| vs. Penn State | Nov. 27 | TBD |