MSU vs. Northwestern Preview

A. Isaac Senior Editor

Think this game is going to be boring?

Think again!

These two teams for some reason or another play some fairly exciting games. In fact, embarrassingly enough, the last 8 times these teams have played, Northwestern is .500 against MSU. However, State still has a very impressive record against Northwestern all-time going 32-15 including 10 straight during the Duffy era.

2006

A game Pat Fitzgerald has tried to erase from his memory for nearly a year. After Jonelle Smith conveniently mailed it in after the Notre Dame game, MSU trailed Northwestern 38-3 at Ryan Field. With a little under 10 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, the Spartans mounted a historic comeback. In an otherwise meaningless season, this was one of the few highlights.

Saturday’s Game

Northwestern was not running the ball exceptionally well this year but now with star running back Tyrell Sutton sidelined, it will get worse. If Northwestern decides to go pass heavy, look for Pat Narduzzi’s defense to tee off on C.J. Bacher. MSU needs to keep those short passes to 3-4 yard gains. Not missing tackles is a must against a spread offense. State showed a great ability to do that against Bowling Green and it paid off. Eventually, as Northwestern showed last week, they will shoot themselves in the foot.

On the other side of the ball, the Spartans are averaging over 200 yards on the ground this year. I suspect Northwestern will everything they can to stack the box but it may not matter. Look for the Spartans to use playaction early in the game and pound them into submission with Caulcrick and Ringer in the second half.

Prediction

MSU-42
Northwestern -14

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