SpartanMacks

Last RB to get 100 yards against us was Abdullah in 2012, and that was with a much better OL and Martinez killing us on read options due to terrible contain by Gholston. You guys are down 3 offensive linemen, you have a young QB, a banged up WR unit, and it is arguable that Abdullah is the only established threat on your offense. Currently we've given up 391 rushing yards all season and our defense top to bottom is a lot better than last year. Most importantly, our DEs are containing well and and TA doesn't have Martinez-esque speed. I think Abdullah is by far the best RB we've faced this year, but he's definitely going to be a guy we key in on. I'd be surprised if he has a 100 yards rushing. I could see him with ~60-70 rushing and another 40-50 receiving.

We've really liked the jet sweep this year after almost never using it the last two years. Lots of power run and short to intermediate passing. We loooooove shallow crossing routes on third downs.

Which ones? I have the splits pulled up for every single one of their opponents and I can't find anyone rushing close to what the Huskers do. Off the top of my head, I think Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan were top 30 offenses before playing us. Iowa was top 25 in rushing O but that was likely heavily skewed by the non-conf schedule. I might be wrong on those teams though. This is the article I was referring to earlier: http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/10/26/5029580/college-football-rankings-baylor-offense-michigan-state-defense

I cried a happy tear. So we're not just delusional homers thinking our pass rush is good again? This peyote is great. What was I saying again?

Confernece Nebraska's Conference opponents are 6-20 when combined. MSU's Conference opponents are 7-20 when combined. Non Conference: Nebraska's opponents are 17-20 MSU's opponents are 18-20 SOS is a dumb argument either way. Nobody has playing a great team. I read an article a couple weeks ago (pre-Michigan) saying that MSU was holding offenses to ~60% of their average offensive output, 1st in the nation. Stats are kind of useless in a game like this, matchups matter more.

MSU is only slightly better in offensive yardage this year than last: 360 yards/game in 2012 and 380 yards/game in 2013 so far. Scoring is up more than a TD per game: 20 ppg vs 29 ppg this year (that includes defensive scores which I believe MSU has more of this season than last but not sure if that is significant or not). Not sure if that makes MSU all that much better offensively. I've watched MSU very little, but my impression is that the offense plays much better at home than away. What's the Spartan fans' views on MSU playing on the road and their offense in general? Not a big difference. Cook was great against Iowa and Illinois, but struggled vs. ND (albeit his first ever road start). The defense is spectacular either way. Weather seems to affect our offense more than home/away. This year's offense has been able to churn out some long drives and score to win out games, something that last year we couldn't do. However, in conference play, we are averaging more rushing YPG than last year (193 vs. 139) with similar passing YPG (216 vs. 213). We're also not really turning the ball over (3 INTs by Cook, 6 total lost fumbles - only 2 in conference play). And our scoring O has improved by nearly 10 points/game from last year.

We'll likely stall and kick a lot of FGs early. I expect a fair share of turnovers from TA considering his past record. This defense is very oppotunistic and will try to convert those for scores in any way possible. MSU has had similar injury luck on the OL for 2011 and 2012, but it's paid off in 2013 due to the young guys getting experience. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it due to prior engagements. I definitely want to make it down sometime though, i've heard it's a great gameday experience. We might need a SJB or Evans pick 6 to win this one. It's entirely possible, but for the most part MSU has (surprisingly) been pretty good at not turning the ball over. Our sophomore QB Connor Cook has a 13 TD/3 INT ratio. That said, it's a hostile road environment and a good pass rush.

How do you suppose we will score on MSU? Like what actual means do you think we will employ to accomplish that? I know that anything can happen on any given Saturday, but make no mistake about facing reality here. Our offense has struggled putting up points and being effective for three straight weeks against average defenses, and this week we play the best defense in the country by quite a margin. This is going to be an absolute battle if we're going to win. It definitely won't be pretty, and even if we come out with a victory the only hope is that we have enough of a team left to be competitive the next week against Penn State. Michigan State is tough, nasty, physical and play smart football. We got out-toughed by Minnesota. Misdirection will be your friend here. Also short passes to the flats, flares from Abdullah, etc. Make him match up on the LBs. Notre Dame beat us by constantly chucking the ball deep and hoping for a tacky PI call (which they got a lot of) or a completion. With the state of your OL, that's not really a good option.

Pretty weak excuse, I agree, but there's a bit of truth to it (although obviously in the long run it should make no difference). MSU does play very physical. And MSU's opponents are currently 1-8 the week after the MSU game. The team with the win is Youngstown State (FCS).

Is it more of a 2 QB system or is it more like "if you suck you'll get pulled"?

I'm excited for this matchup. Looks to be an old-fashioned grind it out game. I'm envisioning something like a 16-13 game either way. If you have any questions about MSU's team (personnel, matchups, schemes, etc.) then have at it! I've got a few questions too: - Your OL has been abused by injuries (MSU has had similar luck in 2011 and 2012). Are you expecting anyone back? I know Long is out for the season, but is Cotton(?) expected to be back? - Is Abdullah 100%? I saw he left briefly against UM but returned. - How confident are you in your new younger QB(s)? TA is 5-0 but also has been a bit turnover prone. Does he still have a short leash?