Buckeyes get a test against Michigan St.

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Long before the season started, a lot of people said they would hold off judgment on Ohio State until the Buckeyes had all their personnel back after the first five games.

That means a lot is riding on Saturday’s Big Ten opener against Michigan State.

“There’s definitely a heightened awareness,” interim coach Luke Fickell said Tuesday. “[The players] understand that. Not that those other games don’t count because they do. They know what it’s about. That’s what our focus has always been about. This is when it starts.”

Suspensions, injuries, departures, a lack of depth and integrating in several freshmen have all added up to a mixed bag for the Buckeyes (3-1). To knock off a talented Spartans (3-1) team would mean they’re headed in the right direction.

“[The interest will] definitely be raised going into Big Ten play,” tailback Jordan Hall said. “[Michigan State is] a good, physical team. It’ll be a good test for us. We’ll need a good week of practice.”

Fickell is pleased with where his team is so far, but also realizes that it has a lot of work to do. A setback this week at Ohio Stadium could mean trouble for a fragile team heading into a tornado of a four-game set to open conference play.

The Michigan State game kicks off a four-game boxed set of conference games that couldn’t be much more difficult. After the Spartans, Ohio State hits the road to play No. 8 Nebraska and then No. 24 Illinois. After a bye week, the Buckeyes host No. 7 Wisconsin.

“We’ll see. We’ll see real quick here,” Fickell said. “Our focus is on getting better. The type of team we have, the amount of youth we have, we continue on focusing on getting better each and every day, each and every week, I think we have a chance to get better every month.”

The game takes on vital importance to Michigan State, as well. The Spartans also need a good start to a schedule just as grueling if not more so than Ohio State’s. They follow Saturday’s road game with home games against No. 19 Michigan and No. 7 Wisconsin before traveling to No. 8 Wisconsin.

“I think the Big Ten season tends to define you,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “I know we can win in [Spartan] Stadium. We’ve got to win on the road in order for this football season to be a success.”