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Having lost two weeks ago, the Michigan State Spartans found themselves out of the playoff race until next season. However, winning out would put this team in one of the six major bowls on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. The Spartans will have to take care of business against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in week 13 at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State has had the best offense in school history this season — in terms of total points scored. Averaging about 43 yards per game is the doing of junior quarterback Connor Cook, senior running back Jeremy Langford and senior wide out Tony Lippett, mostly. Cook has led the Spartans with 2,466 yards, 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions while struggling a bit with his accuracy, completing just 58 percent of his passes. Lippett has caught a team-high 51 passes for 999 yards and nine touchdowns — slowing his production a bit in the last two games. Langford has been solid as well, recording 13 straight 100-yard games in conference play, amounting to 1,116 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. Fellow senior back Nick Hill has also been effective, rushing for 537 yards and seven touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Gary Nova has been solid for Rutgers throughout his four-year career, closing in on school records for passing yards and touchdowns. Nova has added a solid senior season to his impressive career, passing for 2,212 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 58 percent of his passes. Leonte Carroo has been the only receiver worth noting for the Scarlet Knights as he leads the team with 933 yards and eight touchdowns on 46 catches. Sophomore running back Desmon Peoples may lead all rushers with 447 yards and three touchdowns, but junior Paul James has been the most impressive back, rushing for 363 yards and five scores while averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
Defensively, the Scarlet Knights haven’t exactly been the class of the conference, ranking just 81st in points allowed and 90th in total yards allowed per game. Michigan State has had an up-and-down season on defense, but have been solid overall. The Spartans rank 31st in points allowed and ninth in total yards allowed with just 305 per game.
Rutgers will travel to Michigan State to take on the Spartans at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 22. The game will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network.
PREDICTION: Rutgers 13, Michigan State 42
Want to see the Spartans take on the Scarlet Knights in week 13? 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].
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