Scottie Hazelton talks keys for Michigan State's defense to slow down Ohio State offense
Michigan State’s season is on the line Saturday when it travels to Columbus to play No. 4 Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are 7-0 in Big Ten play. The Spartans are 6-1. A win at The Shoe would give Sparty control over its destiny; a Big Ten championship berth would be just a Penn State win away and a potential College Football Playoff appearance would remain on the table.
But beating Ohio State is no small task. Particularly at this point in the season when the Buckeye offense appears to be firing on all cylinders. They’ve reached 50 points in 5 of their last 7 games; quarterback CJ Stroud has leaped up into the Heisman conversation thanks to 1,071 passing yards and 8 passing touchdowns in his last 3 games; the wide receiver group has never looked stronger.
Ohio State’s 46.3 scoring average is the best in the country.
A Sparty win Saturday will be tied to the defensive performance. Defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton thinks his group is ready for the fight.
Hazelton on facing OSU: “I think that our guys truly play with a chip on their shoulder as much as they can, and that’s when they get their edge.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 16, 2021
MSU DC Scottie Hazelton says being able to generate more pressure up front helps with coverages and getting takeaways.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 16, 2021
“I think our guys truly play with a chip on their shoulder as much as they can, and that’s when they get their edge,” Hazelton said Tuesday when he met with members of the media, per The Detroit Free Press’ Chris Solari.
And there should be a plenty big chip. The Spartans opened as an 18-point underdog in a matchup between the No. 4 and No. 7 teams in the CFP rankings.
Saturday’s game kicks off at noon ET on ABC.