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Stingy Ohio State hosts dangerous Michigan State

Oct 20, 2007 - 10:36 AM Michigan St (5-2) at No. 1 Ohio St (7-0) 3:30 pm EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio might wish he had his old defense this week.

The former Ohio State defensive coordinator, Dantonio leads his Spartans into Saturday's Big Ten Conference matchup against the top-ranked Buckeyes, who are making life difficult for opposing offenses.

Dantonio was the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator from 2001-03, leading them to a national title in 2002.

This year, the Buckeyes rank first nationally in scoring defense (6.57 points per game) and total defense (211.86 yards), and are second in rushing defense (62.86).

Last Saturday, Ohio State (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) shut down Kent State here, 48-3, and moved up two spots to No. 1 in the polls after Louisiana State and California lost.

The Buckeyes also are No. 1 in the first BCS standings.

Todd Boeckman tossed two touchdowns and Brian Hartline had a school-record 90-yard punt-return TD for the Buckeyes, who end their regular season at Penn State, vs. Wisconsin, vs. Illinois and at archrival Michigan.

Michigan State (5-2, 1-2) which is in its first season under Dantonio, is coming off a 52-27 home rout of Indiana.

Javon Ringer rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns and Jehuu Caulcrick ran for 94 yards and three scores for the Spartans, who outgained the Hoosiers on the ground by a whopping 368-22 and rank ninth nationally in rushing (242.71).

Last year, Ohio State routed Michigan State in East Lansing, 38-7.

But in 1998, the Spartans stunned another top-ranked Ohio State squad here, 28-24.