Ohio State thinks it would have given Alabama better game than MSU

Ohio State lost to eventual Big Ten champion Michigan State last season and thus cost itself a spot in the College Football Playoff, but some of the players think that the Buckeyes would have given Alabama a better game than the Spartans did. Michigan State went on to lose to Alabama 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl and, speaking to reporters at Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama this week, some of the Buckeyes’ players offered more.

“I think we would have definitely done a better job,” Ohio State defensive back Tyvis Powell said to reporters, including Michael Casagrande of AL.com. “I was shocked [Michigan State] didn’t score a point. It is what it is. It was very disappointing. But, Alabama, it was their year. I guess everybody has their year and it was their time to win.”

“I didn’t get to watch much film on them, but I know it would have been a hell of a game,” Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett added. “(Alabama) might have done a little better this year than they were last year. And I think the way we played in the last couple of games, we could have played against any team in the country. I know it would have been another war like it was the year before. So it would have been interesting to see.”

Michigan State defeated Ohio State in 2015 on a game-winning field goal in a rain-soaked game in which the Buckeyes just flat out abandoned the passing game. Michigan State’s run defense completely stifled Ezekiel Elliott and then clinched a spot in the playoff after defeating Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game.

What’s happened has happened but when push comes to shove, one can only wonder if Ohio State’s dynamic offense could have been any match for Alabama’s bone-crushing defense.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

Matt Ioannidis, Braxton Miller making money at Senior Bowl
Matt Ioannidis, Braxton Miller making money at Senior Bowl