Northwestern and michigan State both open Big Ten play, with Northwestern appearing to defend its Western Division crown.
The Wildcats have won eight consecutive regular-season Big Ten games and 15 of their past 16. They’ve also beaten Michigan State three years in a row, averaging 40.6 points each match against the Spartans.
Northwestern’s offense is trying hard to overcome injuries to several key players, nevertheless. Quarterback T.J. Green was missing to this season at Northwestern’s opening match loss to Stanford.
Clemson move Hunter Johnson take over at quarterback, and he had a last weekend, even passing for 165 yards on passing.
Coach Pat Fitzgerald seems like he is expecting Johnson for 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.
Northwestern is also banged up at running back. Isaiah Bowser suffered a knee injury in the opener. He has been practicing but missed the UNLV game.
Jesse Brown went down in the UNLV game, leaving the running errands who ran for 141 yards
Even the Spartans come to Evanston with one of the greatest defenses in the country.
Michigan State is letting 23.3 yards per game on the ground, good for the No. 2 rushing defense.
The Spartans will be the No. 3 overall protection, at 216 metres per game allowed.
They are also fifth in sacks (4.3 per game), twelfth in scoring (11.3 points permitted ) and No. 20 at turnovers, together with 6.
Head coach Mark Dantonio is not happy, though, stating that the D needs to”be perfect” and criticizing them for allowing a late touchdown drive by Arizona State in a week’s 10-7 loss.
On crime, the Spartans are headed by Brian Lewerke, that ranks second in the Big Ten and recipient Darrell Stewart, second in the league in catches.
The line is a problem, yet. The Spartans are on their fourth tackle, having dropped Cole Chewins and AJ Arcuri in the year.
Last week, Kevin Jarvis will miss seven or six weeks with a knee injury and went .
The line appears sky high for a street team, but with the offense already hobbling and facing the Spartan D of Northwestern, it’s tough to see that the Wildcats putting up enough points to cover. Look to win by double digits.
Free Choice: Michigan State -9.5 (-112) together with BetOnline
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