Networks choose six-day window for time of Buckeyes home finale against Minnesota
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has just two home games left in the regular season.
This week, the Buckeyes will take on a struggling Michigan State team in primetime. Next week, however, they’ll face Minnesota on Senior Day for the final regular-season home game of the year.
That battle with Minnesota on Nov. 18 will be on Big Ten Network, and it’ll be at either Noon or in the 3:30/4 p.m. window. The conference’s official network is flexing this game, waiting to see what happens Saturday before deciding when to air the Ohio State home finale against the Golden Gophers.
Of course, Ohio State will have to get through Michigan State this week before getting to the Minnesota matchup. The Gophers, meanwhile, will go up against Purdue on the road in a game that could get PJ Fleck’s team to bowl eligibility before facing Ohio State and Wisconsin to close the season.
So after Ohio State plays Michigan State and Minnesota faces Purdue, the Buckeyes and Golden Gophers will battle on Senior Day. The time of that game on Big Ten Network is just yet to be announced.
Ohio State storylines from the weekend
Buckeyes stay put in AP Poll
Ohio State stayed put at No. 3 in this week’s AP Top 25, and so did the other top-nine teams.
No. 1 Georgia remains the top first-place vote getter with 49. Next is No. 2 Michigan with nine. No. 3 Ohio State received three first-place votes, and No. 4 Florida State got two.
Ole Miss entered the top 10 after its 38-35 win over Texas A&M. No. 11 Louisville is knocking on the door of the top 10 following a 34-3 beatdown of Virginia Tech. Oregon State, like Louisville, climbed four spots and is up to No. 12 after taking down reeling Colorado, 26-19.
Ohio State opens as big favorite over Michigan State
The Buckeyes will open their final three games of the regular season with two straight home games for the first time since Sept. 9 and 16. First up on the two-game home slate: Michigan State, a reeling program with an interim head coach, a poor defense and a stagnant offense.
That’s why even though Ohio State hasn’t played a complete game yet, the oddsmakers expect the Buckeyes to steamroll the Spartans in primetime on Saturday night. The Buckeyes opened Sunday as a 28.5-point favorite over Michigan State. The total is set at 46.5.
Those odds are according to Fanduel Sportsbook.
Ohio State played one of its worst halves of football Saturday, trailing Rutgers at the half before storming back to claim a 19-point road win and improve to 9-0 on the season — and 6-0 in Big Ten action.
