Michigan State (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) at No. 3 Ohio State (9-0, 6-0, CFP No. 1), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Line: Ohio State by 31 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Ohio State leads 36-15.

What is in play?

The Buckeyes are rolling right along, although the games haven’t all looked pretty. They struggled with Rutgers last week before finally pulling away in a game that was closer than the 35-16 score indicated.

Ohio State theoretically should have an easier time with Michigan State, which got its first Big Ten win over Nebraska last week after losing six straight since former coach Mel Tucker was suspended and later fired.

The Buckeyes are hurtling toward the much-anticipated showdown with No. 2 Michigan on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor.

But they have to beat Michigan State and then Minnesota next week for it to mean anything.

KEY MATCHUP

Michigan State secondary versus Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison has shown he can beat double coverage and out-jump most defensive backs.

The likely first-round NFL draft pick has 52 catches for 918 yards and 10 touchdowns.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michigan State: Montorie Foster Jr. caught four passes for a season-high 94 yards in the Spartans win over Nebraska last week, including a 25-yard TD that gave them a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter.

Ohio State: RB TreVeyon Henderson has been fantastic since missing three games after being injured against Notre Dame on Sept.

23. He ran for 128 yards and a touchdown last week against Rutgers, following up his 162 yard rush and touchdown in the victory over Wisconsin.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Buckeyes have beaten Michigan State for seven straight years since a 17-14 win by the Spartans in Columbus in 2015. … Ohio State won last year 49-20 in East Lansing. … Leading the Spartans in rush yards with 659 yards and four touchdowns is Nathan Carter. Michigan State interim coach Harlon Barnett is 1-6. …

As a head coach, Ohio State’s Ryan Day is 4-0 against Michigan State, with his teams outscoring the Spartans 191-49. The Spartans have beaten a Top 5 Ohio State team five times, including in 1974 and 1998 when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1. …

A win Saturday would give Ohio State its 30th season in school history of having at least 10 wins. … Ohio State has been ranked in all 55 weeks of the College Football Playoff era. … Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord completed his final seven passing attempts against Wisconsin Oct.

28 and his first 11 against Rutgers last week to set a new school record of 18 consecutive completions over two games.

___