Mel Tucker reveals how Michigan State can beat Ohio State

Michigan State might’ve been a home underdog to Ohio State this weekend even if things had gone according to plan in East Lansing, anyways. Now, with MSU at 2-3 and whatever hopes for a leap to Big Ten contention in 2022 in tatters, the Buckeyes roll in to mid-Michigan as nearly 28-point favorites.

But Mel Tucker, true to his “keep chopping” mantra, spoke about how the Spartans can spring an upset. It has nothing to do with Xs and Os and everything to do with preparation and mentality.

“Yeah, you have to — first of all you have to believe,” Tucker said. “That’s one. And you have to strip the name off the jersey. And go to work. Preparation. And go and play the next play. Doing it again. Taking it from the meeting room, to the practice, doing it so many times right in practice where you can’t get it wrong in a game.”

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What the Spartans need to start getting right in the games is, primarily, defense. After starting 2-0 with back-to-back wins against MAC opponents Western Michigan and Akron, MSU has been smacked by the three Power 5 teams they’ve played.

In the three games against Washington, Minnesota and Maryland, Michigan State is giving up exactly 500 yards a game and more than 13 first downs. They’ve surrendered more than 33 points a game in that stretch, too.

Even including the first two games, MSU ranks 99th nationally in total defense, tied with Georgia Tech and sitting just ahead of Army and Colorado State.

And who ranks 1st in scoring offense (48.8 points per game) and 3rd in total offense (529.6 yards per game) nationally? The Ohio State Buckeyes, who may be getting healthier on offense with running back TreVeyon Henderson and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba potentially returning this week.

For Tucker and Michigan State, they can’t afford to get caught up in that. They just have to win one play, then win the next play, then win the next play — and so on.

“Then you take it to the game and you play one play at a time, never looking at the scoreboard, just keep playing. There’s not anything real complicated about it, but it starts with the belief and then it goes from there,” Tucker said.