Northwestern and michigan State both open Big Ten play, with Northwestern looking to defend its Western Division crown.
The Wildcats have won eight consecutive regular-season Big Ten matches and 15 of the last 16. They have also beaten Michigan State three years in a row, averaging 40.6 points a match against the Spartans.
Northwestern’s offense is trying to overcome injuries to several important players, however. Quarterback T.J. Green was dropped for this season in Northwestern’s opening match loss to Stanford.
Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson shoot at dusk, and he had a strong but far from magnificent match in the win over UNLV last weekend, even passing for 165 yards on 12-of-25 passing.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald sounds like he is anticipating Johnson to be a game manager, not the celebrity.
“He took what the defense gave him. He did not try to force anything,” Fitzgerald said in his weekly press conference.
At back northwestern is trashed. Isaiah Bowser suffered a knee injury in the opener. He has been practicing but missed the UNLV game.
Jesse Brown went down leaving the running chores to Drake Anderson, who ran for 141 yards
The Spartans come to Evanston with a few of the best defenses in the nation.
Michigan State is allowing 23.3 yards per game on the floor, good for the No. 2 rushing defense.
The Spartans would be the No. 3 overall protection, at 216 yards per game allowed.
They’re even fifth in sacks (4.3 per game), twelfth in scoring (11.3 points enabled ) and No. 20 in turnovers, with 6.
Head coach Mark Dantonio isn’t happy, however, stating that the D needs to”be perfect” and criticizing them for permitting a late touchdown drive by Arizona State in last week’s 10-7 loss.
On offense, the Spartans are headed by Brian Lewerke, who ranks second in the Big Ten in passing, and receiver Darrell Stewart.
The line is a issue, however. The Spartans are on their fourth tackle, with lost AJ Arcuri and Cole Chewins in the year.
Kevin Jarvis will miss seven or six weeks with a knee injury and went .
The line appears skies high for a road team, but with the offense already hobbling and confronting the Spartan D of Northwestern, it’s hard to see the Wildcats setting up enough points to pay. Search to win by double digits.
Free Pick: Michigan State -9.5 (-112) with BetOnline
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