Nov 21, 2015 01:30 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Ohio State Buckeyes (3) appear to be putting everything together at the opportune time while the Michigan State Spartans (9) are showing their cracks at the worst time.

At 10-0, Ohio State has won uninspiringly more than once despite a soft schedule, which likely prompted the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee to rank the Buckeyes third overall. Michigan State is in a similar position, only their loss to Nebraska and Connor Cook's injury are combining to cast serious doubt over the Spartans.

Click here to watch to the game live via WatchESPN. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET in Columbus, Ohio. You can also listen to the game live via TuneIn.

Cook, Michigan State's starting quarterback, hurt his throwing shoulder in the team's win over Maryland, though he is confident he will play against Ohio State. Like their opponent, the Spartans have appeared shaky at times, winning by one score over Purdue and Rutgers in consecutive weeks.

But beating Ohio State would put Michigan State in a tie atop the Big Ten East with the advantage in the event of a tie. If they can win out, a one-loss Big Ten champion would be hard to deny entry to the CFP.

On the other side of the ball, Ohio State has the high ground. They will be at home with J.T. Barrett starting at QB and a pass rush that has been heating up over the past few weeks. If there was ever a time for Ohio State to prove itself to the CFP committee, it is their matchup not only with Michigan State, but with Michigan next week.

"And Michigan State, that's the top of our conference and obviously the next two games we have are big, big-time games, and that's human nature to say we see what's coming," Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said in his weekly press conference. "I think what our guys have done, because you see it across the country, the consistency and winning, it's very admirable for the way our guys are."

(Rankings courtesy of CFP)

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