COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday that nickelback Armani Reeves has not yet been cleared to practice, and he doesn't expect to have Reeves for the Buckeyes' game against Michigan State on Saturday.

"I don't think Armani is going to be cleared to start practice," Meyer said. "He was out here today and didn't practice."

Meyer said sophomore Cam Burrows will start at the nickel if Reeves doesn't play against the Spartans.

The nature of Reeves' injury is unknown, but Meyer said Tuesday on the Big Ten coaches teleconference that Reeves has had trouble focusing. Co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said Reeves was not with the team during last week's win over Illinois.

Burrows, who didn't play against Penn State, has played in seven games for the Buckeyes this season. He has 12 tackles and one pass breakup.

• Meyer said Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has looked "great" in practice this week and shown no ill-effects of the MCL sprain he suffered against Penn State two weeks ago.

• Meyer was asked to compare this year's Michigan State team to last year's team:

"This team is a better team," Meyer said. "They're more balanced. Offensively I think they're dynamic. I know they had some seniors leave, but they've filled in nicely. I think this year's team is even a little better."

• Buckeyes freshman quarterback Stephen Collier was seen wearing a No. 18 jersey after Wednesday's practice. It seems Collier, who normally wears No. 13, is playing the role of Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook, who wears No. 18, on the scout team.

• Ohio State's receivers will be pressured by Michigan State's defensive backs this week, but Buckeyes receiver Evan Spencer said that won't be anything new.

The Spartans' scheme is similar to the one co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash has installed at Ohio State.

"They run a really similar defense to ours now, so we've been going against that since January," Spencer said. "It's helped us know how to adjust to different things."

• Ohio State linebacker Curtis Grant said he thinks Michigan State's offensive line is the best the Buckeyes will see this season.

"Very good," Grant said "They'll get you off the ball if you're not ready to go."

• Play on the back end of the defense was a problem for Ohio State last year, particularly in the loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game.

Meyer said he's seen improvement with the safeties this season, and credited Tyvis Powell with making that position a strong point for the Buckeyes.

"Safety play was not a strength of ours," Meyer said. "I still some room to grow with (Powell) too. He's got everything you want. He's a great person, good student. Good range, good speed. We're looking for tall corners like that to eventually move them to safety. He's the perfect fit. There's still a lot more left in that tank."