Ohio State says clash with MSU at top of mind despite playoff talk

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 12, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on November 12, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Urban Meyer’s stated focus as Ohio State prepares for Michigan State this week comes as no surprise.

It’s Michigan State.

The coach of the Buckeyes assured reporters Monday he has tunnel vision on the Spartans even though they are having a down year and a renewal of the Michigan rivalry looms the following week.

Then of course there is all of the talk about Big Ten championship game berths and College Football Playoff spots.

RELATEDWhat could get OSU into playoffs, or keep the Buckeyes out?

Forget all of it. At least for now.

“Well, I’m debating right now what to do with that,” Meyer said. “I did not cover that yesterday. I have not covered it all throughout the year. Normally in the past, I have. I don’t know yet. But the focus is obviously Michigan State.”

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

After receiving a follow-up question about Ohio State being left out of the Big Ten title game if Penn State wins its last two games, he was less forthcoming:

“Just want to beat Michigan State, man. It means a lot.”

The Buckeyes and Spartans are set to clash at noon Saturday in East Lansing.

RELATEDOhio State routs Maryland

The road team has won the last five games in the series with MSU also taking a Big Ten championship game clash in Indianapolis in 2013.

That was one of two times MSU coach Mark Dantonio's teams have at least badly damaged if not ended Ohio State's national championship hopes in the past three seasons.

But MSU will entertain the second-ranked Buckeyes having already lost seven games.

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