The Michigan State Spartans are set to face the Ohio State Buckeyes this weekend. Check out our college football odds series, which includes our Michigan State-Ohio State prediction, odds, and pick.

Michigan State looks a lot like the Mark Dantonio teams of previous years under current head coach Mel Tucker. The Spartans don't have overwhelming talent, but they are cohesive, attentive, opportunistic, and able to win a lot of close games in the fourth quarter. That's how Dantonio won a Rose Bowl in the 2013 season and made the College Football Playoff in the 2015 season. Michigan State has a knack for coming through in crunch time. The Spartans, if they win here, will take the lead in the Big Ten East Division and will have head-to-head tiebreakers over both Ohio State and Michigan. They would have the inside track to the division title and a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. They would be able to win their way into the College Football Playoff as the Big Ten's representative. Those who study college football odds are aware of this.

The Ohio State Buckeyes played poorly in the month of September. They lost at home to Oregon. They struggled against Tulsa. They needed a kick in the pants. They got one, playing far better in October than in the first month of the season. Ohio State wobbled to an extent against Penn State and was definitely shaky versus Nebraska, but the team which ripped Purdue this past weekend looked like a national championship contender. Now comes Michigan State, a team which knocked the Buckeyes out of the playoff with an upset win six years ago in Columbus. That's the game in which Ohio State refused to give Ezekiel Elliott a large number of carries, leading to an ugly defeat and an emotional postgame locker room. Does that game enter into your Michigan State Ohio State pick?

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:

College Football odds: Michigan State-Ohio State Odds

Michigan State: +19.5 (-110)

Ohio State: -19.5 (-110)

Over: 68.5 (-114)

Under: 68.5 (-106)

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Why Michigan State Could Cover the Spread

The spread of nearly 20 points is large and a real insult to the Spartans. Keep in mind that Ohio State was favored by 18.5 over Penn State several weeks ago, and the Nittany Lions easily covered, losing by nine in a game which was closer than that final margin for most of the proceedings. Michigan State is in a similar position. The Spartans are seeing how disrespected they are. They know this is a huge game. They are going to give it their best. It might not be enough to win, but MSU has certainly shown it is resilient — coming back from 16 down to beat Michigan — and thoroughly resourceful. Mel Tucker is loved by his players, and with reports indicating Tucker is likely to stay in East Lansing and not go to LSU, that should only strengthen the Spartans' resolve. Keep that in mind when making a Michigan State Ohio State pick.

Why Ohio State Could Cover the Spread

The Buckeyes looked like the real deal against a Purdue team which shredded Michigan State. It's a simple enough statement to make, and hard to argue with: If Ohio State plays its best football — if the best version of the Buckeyes shows up — the Scarlet and Gray should dominate.

Final Michigan State-Ohio State Prediction & Pick

Ohio State will win outright, but as in the Penn State game, this is just too many points against an opponent which will be tough, valiant, and resolute. Ohio State 38, Michigan State 27.

Final Michigan State-Ohio State Pick: Michigan State +19.5