At times last Saturday Ohio State looked almost incompetent on offense in a 10-7 loss to Michigan State. It wasn’t even that close, as the Buckeye had to score with 10 seconds left to avoid a first home shutout loss since 1982.

The offense totaled just 178 total yards, the lowest since a 2004 game against Iowa. Bauserman and Miller combined to complete 12-of-24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. That stat wouldn’t be horrific if the Bucks had a solid rushing day. However, OSU ran for just 35 yards on 39 attempts. For those not good at math, that’s less than a yard per carry.

Those stats are somewhat misleading, however, since Bauserman and Miller were sacked nine times. Starting running back Jordan Hall carried 18 times for 45 yards and Carlos Hyed rushed five times for 33 yards, so the two combined for 3.4 yards per carry, which still isn’t good.

Ohio State’s defense kept the team in the game, holding Michigan State’s rushing attack to just 71 yards on 31 carries, and forcing three turnovers, but it wasn’t enough. It still allowed B.J. Cunningham to have a monster day with nine catches for 154 yards and the Spartans’ only touchdown.

The five players that were suspended for the first five games were supposed to return this week when the Buckeyes travel to Lincoln, Neb. for the first meeting with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as Big Ten foes. However, receiver DeVier Posey and running back Boom Herron had their suspensions extended at least one more week as new allegations surfaced of accepting too much money for summer a summer job from a former OSU booster. Those guys were supposed to give the Buckeye offense a shot in the arm, but instead, Ohio State only gets back left tackle Mike Adams. He will help solidify the line, but he won’t be enough.

Ohio State also lost its second-leading receiver, Verlon Reed, to a knee injury.

Nebraska is 4-1 and fresh off a “welcome to the Big Ten” spanking by then-No. 7 Wisconsin. Head Coach Bo Pelini played defensive back for the Buckeyes in the late 1980s and he’ll have the ‘Huskers revved up for the team’s first home game as a Big Ten member.

This game will be interesting for Michigan fans to watch because of Nebraska’s offense. While it’s not the same as Michigan’s, it features some of the same elements including quarterback Taylor Martinez who is just as adept with his feet as he is with his arm. Ohio State’s defense has played pretty well against traditional offenses so far, but how it will handle Martinez should give Michigan fans some hope for the end of November.

Next: Saturday at #14 Nebraska (4-1) – 8pm on ABC

Prediction: Nebraska 24 – Ohio 13

One of the many times an OSU quarterback was sacked on Saturday (photo by Kirk Irwin, Getty Images)

Michigan State failed to show up in its first big game of the season, getting crushed by Notre Dame, but it came out in full force last Saturday in Columbus. While the score doesn’t accurately reflect it, the Spartans dominated Ohio State all game.

The defense sacked Ohio State nine times and held the Buckeyes to just 178 yards of total offense, including just 35 rushing yards.

Kirk Cousins had a steady game, completing 20-of-32 passes for 250 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. His 33-yard scoring strike to B.J. Cunningham was the Spartans’ lone touchdown on the day. He wasn’t without his mistakes, however. The score could have easily been more lopsided, but Cousins threw an interception in the end zone on a drive that certainly would have led to more points.

Le’Veon Bell rushed for 50- yards on 14 carries and Edwin Baker carried 12 times for 36 yards.

It was Cunningham who stole the show, racking up nearly as many yards as Ohio State’s entire offense. He caught nine passes for 154 yards and a touchdown.

While MSU’s offensive line didn’t allow a sack, it still only paved the way for 71 rushing yards and continues to be the soft point of the offense. Defensively, MSU continues to play well. The Spartans rank first in the nation in total defense and tied for second in scoring defense. If Michigan gets by Northwestern unscathed this week, it will have its hands full staying unbeaten against this defense next weekend.

This week, Michigan State is off and gets an extra week to prepare for Michigan. Head Coach Mark Dantonio will certainly keep a close eye on Michigan’s Saturday night game at Northwestern to see how Michigan handles its first road game.

Next: Bye

Prediction: 2 players arrested

B.J. Cunningham torched the OSU defense (photo by Kirk Irwin, Getty Images)

Notre Dame: Beat Purdue 38-10
Record: 3-2

Notre Dame got its easiest win of the season last Saturday, beating Purdue 38-10 in West Lafayette, Ind. Tommy Rees solidified his starting spot by throwing for 254 yards on 24-of-40, with three touchdowns, and most importantly, no interceptions.

Rees connected with star receiver Michael Floyd 12 times for 137 yards and a touchdown, a sea change from the previous week when he caught just four passes for 27 yards.

On the ground, Notre Dame pounded away at the Boilermakers, rushing Cierre Wood 20 times for 191 yards and a touchdown and Jonas Gray 15 times for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Notre Dame outgained Purdue 551 yards to 276. It was ND’s highest offensive output of the season and third time gaining over 500 yards. Most importantly, the Irish committed no turnovers after giving the ball away 15 times over the first four games.

It seems as if Notre Dame has turned the corner on its season after dropping its first two games. This week, 3-1 Air Force comes to South Bend to begin a tough three game homestand that also includes USC and Navy. Since Michigan beat the Irish and Notre Dame beat Michigan State, we might as well keep rooting for them to win out. As hard as it is to root for ND, the better it does the rest of the season the better it will reflect on Michigan at season’s end.

Next: Saturday v. Air Force (3-1) – 3:30pm on NBC

Prediction: Notre Dame 34 – Air Force 24

Cierre Wood rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown against Purdue (photo by AJ Mast, AP)