The Michigan State Spartans and Nebraska Cornhuskers face off this Saturday with much on the line. The 10th ranked Spartans (3-1) are looking for the first conference win of the season and the 19th ranked Cornhuskers (5-0) are looking for win number two in Big Ten play. So who wins the game?
Let’s take a quick breakdown of the teams.
The Spartans have a well balanced offense (averaging more than 50 points per game) led by QB Connor Cook. Cook has thrown for 837 yards (69.2% completion) with a solid 9/2 TD to INT ratio. His favorite target by far is WR Tony Lippett who’s hauled in 22 passes for 421 yards and 6 TD’s. This guy is averaging 19 yards per catch and more than 100 per game. On the ground is RB Jeremy Langford who’s been his usual rock solid self this year, pumping out 340 rushing yards and 3 TD’s while averaging 5.5 per carry. The offensive line is pretty solid, led by star LT Jack Conklin.
The Huskers offense has also been outstanding this season, averaging more than 45 points a game. QB Tommy Armstrong has thrown for more than 1,000 yards (10/3), but has really struggled with consistency, only completing 53% of his passes. The receiving corps features two solid big play threats in Kenny Bell (19 receptions, 389 yards, 2 TDs) and Jordan Westerkamp (16, 316, 3). The tailbacks are incredible, and Ameer Abdullah is arguably the best in the country. He’s already rushed for 833 yards and 8TD’s while averaging more than 7 a carry.The offensive line is solid and has experience, but isn’t long on top shelf talent.
The Spartans defense, outside of the second half the Oregon game, has been dominant as usual, particularly against the run. There are stars at every level of this defense, from Shilique Calhoun up front to Taiwan Jones at MLB to Kurtis Drummond at safety. The secondary hasn’t been quite as dominant as many were expecting this year, but there’s talent galore back there and they’re all big time playmakers.
The Huskers defense isn’t on the same level as the Spartans. Plain and simple. DE Randy Gregory may be the most talented natural pass rusher in the country and S Corey Cooper is a stud, but they can’t do it alone. I have no doubt the Spartans will be able to put up points against the Huskers this weekend.
With that said, this game will come down the Huskers rushing offense and the Spartans rush defense. The Huskers have four very viable options to tote the rock in Abdullah, Armstrong (420 yards, 2 TD’s) and backups Imani Cross (224 yards, 3 TD’s) and Terrell Newby (175 yards, 3 TD’s). They’re averaging more 354 rushing yards a game, which is third nationally. OC Tim Beck has quietly become one of the best play callers in the country. The Spartans are 11th nationally in total defense and have the players to shut the Husker rush attack down. So who wins?
I’m giving the edge to the Spartans in this one not only because the game is in East Lansing but I’ll always take a strong defense over a strong offense.
Prediction: Michigan State 28, Nebraska 21.
Rick Stavig is an NFL Draft Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rickstavig or add him to your network on Google+.
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