Michigan State vs. Nebraska: Game Preview With TV Schedule

By Connor Muldowney @Connormuldowney on October 2, 2014

Heading into week six, the Michigan State Spartans have a 3-1 record and a spot in the top 10, but conference play is about to get underway and that means a tougher schedule is looming. Michigan State is the favorite to win the Big Ten, but it’s toughest conference test could very well come this week.

As a possible preview of the Big Ten title game in December, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will travel to East Lansing in hopes of upsetting the Spartans and silencing critics after an embarrassingly close week two game against McNeese State. Nebraska might be the only serious threat to Michigan State’s title hopes.

Michigan State is led by a quarterback who could quietly put himself in the Heisman race with another solid conference season like he had a year ago. Junior gunslinger Connor Cook has passed for 837 yards and nine touchdowns this season while throwing under 15 passes in three of four games because he has been out of those games by halftime due to huge leads. Cook has also added two touchdowns on the ground despite having just eight rushing yards this year. The second-year starter’s favorite target has clearly been senior Tony Lippett who has caught 22 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns — all team-highs. Tight end Josiah Price is second on the team with nine catches for 124 yards and two scores. Jeremy Langford leads the 20th-ranked rushing attack with 340 yards and three touchdowns on 5.5 yards per carry.

Nebraska is led by a Heisman candidate of its own — and it’s not a quarterback. Although Tommy Armstrong Jr. is doing well in his second season as the team’s quarterback, senior running back Ameer Abdullah is taking the nation by storm will his strong, efficient rushing attack. Abdullah has accounted for 833 yards and eight touchdowns on 7.3 yards per carry for the third-ranked rushing offense in the nation. Armstrong Jr. is second on the team with 420 yards and two rushing touchdowns while Imani Cross is third with 224 yards and three scores on the ground. Armstrong Jr. has also passed for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions while completing just 54 percent of his passes. All-Big Ten wide out Kenny Bell leads all receivers with 19 catches for 389 yards and two touchdowns while Jordan Westerkamp is close behind with 16 catches for 316 yards and three scores.

Defensively, the Cornhuskers have been a much-improved group this season. Nebraska ranks 31st in total yards allowed per game, 331.6, and 26th in points allowed per game, 19. Nebraska does, however, struggle mightily against the passing, opening up the possibility for Cook to have a huge game. Michigan State has been one of the top dogs on defense in the nation for the past few seasons and 2014 is no exception. Michigan State ranks 35th in points allowed, 20.3, and 11th in total yards allowed, 289. The Spartan Stadium crowd will be raucous for this huge conference matchup.

Nebraska will travel to Michigan State to take on the Spartans at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 4. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 24, Michigan State 34

Want to see the Spartans host the Cornhuskers in week six? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].