Via | ESPN
The defending national champions are still an enigma to many, including themselves. Although second-ranked Ohio State is riding a 23-game win streak, the Buckeyes have yet to face a truly significant challenge in 2015.
It finally comes Saturday against No. 9 Michigan State in Columbus.
Ohio State has looked unimpressive at times against unranked teams while repeating the mantra that playing its best football is most important at the end of the season.
That moment is here for the Buckeyes (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten), who follow this game against the Spartans (9-1, 5-1) with their rivalry showdown at No. 14 Michigan on Nov. 28. Ohio State is No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, leaving little room for error.
“We haven’t really been tested,” left tackle Taylor Decker said. “This is a huge gauge for us going into some of the biggest games at the end of the season, because this is the biggest game we’ve played yet this season.
“We haven’t even played our best yet,” Decker added. “We have to focus on that and not what people are talking about.”
These games against their Michigan rivals — tied for second in the East Division — have long been targeted as their most important. If the Buckeyes reach the Big Ten championship game, they could face sixth-ranked and fellow unbeaten Iowa.
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