EAST LANSING, Mich. -- A year ago, Michigan States Tyler OConnor was forced into action in what turned out to be the most significant game of the Big Ten regular season -- an upset win at Ohio State that vaulted the Spartans into the national championship race and ultimately kept the Buckeyes out.As badly as this season has gone for OConnor and his teammates, looking back at that game gives them some hope.When you go back and watch the film, its hard not to implant that image in your head about what we did against them last year, OConnor said. Well take some confidence into this game as well, but at the same time understand how good they are.Michigan State has fallen fast since last seasons Big Ten title. If the Spartans can upset the second-ranked Buckeyes this weekend , theyll merely be playing the role of spoilers in the national championship race, but that should be plenty of motivation in a rivalry thats picked up considerably in recent seasons.And speaking of motivation, Ohio State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) should have plenty of it, for obvious reasons.That was the reason why we didnt accomplish the goals that we had set for last year, so I think a lot of the guys take this game personal, safety Malik Hooker acknowledged.With star quarterback Connor Cook out injured, OConnor and Michigan State won the 2015 game against the Buckeyes on a 41-yard field goal by Michael Geiger as time expired. That ended Ohio States 23-game winning streak.It was definitely a terrible feeling, tight end Marcus Baugh said. Just disappointed we couldnt get that one. You dont want to feel that again.The Buckeyes are No. 2 in this weeks ranking from the playoff committee. A win this weekend would set up quite a showdown against rival Michigan to close the regular season.Saturdays game will be the finale at home this season for Michigan State (3-7, 1-6) -- and a chance for the Spartans to make up for at least some of the disappointments that have piled up this year.Here are a few things to watch when Michigan State hosts Ohio State:HAPPY VISITORS: The home team hasnt won in this series since Ohio State beat Michigan State in Columbus in 2007. The road team has taken all five regular-season games since. The teams also met in the 2013 Big Ten title game, which the Spartans won.HISTORY: If the Spartans are looking for some historical comfort, last seasons game may not even be the best analogy. In 1998, Ohio State was No. 1 in the nation when it lost at home in November to an unranked Michigan State team.Spartans coach Mark Dantonio was an assistant for Michigan State then. The Spartans finished 6-6.We went down and played the number one team in Ohio, at Ohio Stadium, at Ohio State, and won, Dantonio said. Didnt go to a bowl game that year, but everybody seems to remember it, so, I guess thats something.KUDOS FOR RECEIVERS: Ohio State coach Urban Meyer this week praised the work of Ohio States outside receivers. They havent had a lot of flashy catches lately but have excelled throwing blocks that have sprung H-back Curtis Samuel, quarterback J.T. Barrett and running back Mike Weber for big gains.Meyer said those receivers, mainly Noah Brown, Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin, had their best games the past two weeks, even though the box scores might not directly reflect it.Receivers were criticized earlier in the season when the passing game bogged down, but Meyer is now lauding them for their selflessness.Ive been around men who are complete buffoons about that kind of stuff, Meyer said. When you recruit them, you hope theyre not that way. You kind of try to get in their grill and find out if theyre a selfish guy, because our objective is to win the game at all costs.FORECAST: It was windy and rainy last year when these teams met, and the Spartans prevailed 17-14. Michigan State probably wouldnt mind another low-scoring game, and the National Weather Service says it could be windy, rainy and perhaps even a bit snowy in East Lansing on Saturday.MILESTONE: Ohio States Mike Weber, who played high school football at Cass Tech in Detroit, needs 65 yards rushing to become the third Ohio State freshman to reach 1,000. Robert Smith (1990) and Maurice Clarett (2002) were the others.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtristerWholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Authentic NFL Jerseys China . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. https://www.nflcheapjerseysfreeshipping.com/ . "It was nerve-wracking, but we pulled through," said Collaros, who threw four touchdown passes to lead the Toronto Argonauts (8-4) to a 33-27 win over the Calgary Stampeders (9-3) in front of 28,781 fans at McMahon Stadium. Wholesale NFL Jerseys .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. NFL Jerseys China .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey.Jamie Heaslip said his sides 30-6 loss to Ulster in Belfast during the PRO12 regular season inspired Leinster to victory in Fridays play-off. Leinster beat their domestic rivals 30-18 in Dublin as they claimed redemption and a place in the PRO12 final for the sixth time in seven seasons.Man of the match Heaslip praised the contribution of the whole squad, saying the emotions of Aprils loss inspired the group. We really wanted to come out and right the wrongs from a couple of weeks ago, Heaslip told Sky Sports. Restore a bit of pride and a bit of performance into the jersey, and I think we did that. Jonathan Sexton said he was struggling with the wind during Leinsters victory over Ulster in the PRO play-offs We got a couple of lucky breaks. Ulster are a good side. We took our opportunities when they came, and they pushed us all the way. Were very happy with the win, and its good to be in the final again.The Ireland No 8 said the coaching staff had helped move on from the round 21 loss, but as players they ussed the pain of defeat to spur them on in Fridays play-off.dddddddddddd.On one side, you have to be quite analytical and approach the game and assess the good and the bad, said Heaslip. We knew when we assessed it that two of the tries the last time we played against them were when we were down to 14 men, and one was an interception.So we didnt get too carried away but then at the same time you have to wear that emotion, to wear that hurt.Thats what rugby is, you play with your heart on your sleeve. Ulster captain Rory Best admitted his side didnt go after Leinster like they did three weeks ago, which ultimately cost them in their 30-18 defeat Leinster will have to wait until Saturday to find out who they face in the final, as Connacht and Glasgow battle out the second play-off, live on Sky Sports 1 from 6pm. Also See: PRO12 home PRO12 table Fixtures and results Rugby Union on Sky ' ' '