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Michigan State vs Rutgers: Preview and predictions

By Connor Muldowney

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Michigan State will be traveling to the East Coast to take on Rutgers in a primetime matchup between the nation’s No. 4 team and the Big Ten’s newest addition. The Scarlet Knights haven’t had the best season to this point, but a win over the Spartans could change all of that.

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Last year’s Michigan State vs Rutgers game was an absolute blowout and it was unfortunate for star receiver Leonte Carroo because he was talking trash about the Spartans’ secondary and they shut him down, holding him to just one catch.

Carroo had been suspended for the last two games, but, in what seems like perfect timing, he has been cut loose and declared eligible for Saturday’s contest against MSU.

Rutgers is out for revenge while Michigan State is just looking to prove all the doubters around the country wrong with a big blowout win.

Let’s preview each facet of the game:

Offense

Sep 26, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) stands on the field prior to a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Laviano is in his first year as the starter for Rutgers after one of the school’s all-time best quarterbacks, Gary Nova, graduated this past offseason. He has been playing solid ball, completing 72 percent of his passes for 794 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions for October

Laviano’s interception rate bodes well for Michigan State’s secondary because it shows that he’s prone to making bad decisions. He will, however, be getting Carroo back and he’s still the top receiver on the team despite missing two out of the Scarlet Knights’ four games.

The run game has been pretty impressive as well, ranking in the top 30 nationally with 211 rushing yards per contest. Josh Hicks and Robert Martin are both the lead dogs, averaging at least 6.0 yards per carry and combining for 623 yards and five touchdowns.

Michigan State’s run game is also solid as the Spartans have their own dynamic duo on the ground in Madre London and L.J. Scott. These two guys have played one more game than the Rutgers duo, but have still shown up and shown off, recording a combined 748 yards and seven touchdowns. It’s hard enough to game plan for one solid RB, but two? No chance.

Connor Cook has yet to really have a breakout game this season, and it could very well come this week against a lowly Rutgers secondary. Cook has passed for 977 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception while becoming the school’s all-time winningest QB.

Aaron Burbridge is the top dog at receiver as Macgarrett Kings Jr. is still fighting nagging injuries, but one guy who I expect to break out this week is junior wide out Monty Madaris.

Advantage: Michigan State

Defense

Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) looks to the sidelines during the 2nd half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State’s secondary has been an issue this season. Besides allowing way too many yards through the air (248.8 ypg), the Spartans have also lost two guys for the rest of the year: RJ Williamson and Vayante Copeland. Both were starters and top performers in the secondary.

The pass rush has been great, though. Michigan State’s front-seven have been getting a whole lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, recording 18 sacks through five games.

Stopping the run has been something Michigan State prides itself on, but it has been a struggle at times this season, giving up multiple long runs to opposing running backs and already allowing a 100-yard rusher and a couple guys who have come close. The Spartans do, however, rank 34th in run-stopping in the nation.

Rutgers’ secondary also struggles. The Scarlet Knights have allowed 274 yards per game through the air to opponents whose offenses aren’t exactly dynamite. Connor Cook may take advantage of this, and should.

Just like Michigan State’s run defense, Rutgers ranks in the top 50, slightly ahead of the Spartans at 27th-best. Like I said earlier, though, the Scarlet Knights have yet to really play a quality opponent — outside of maybe Penn State.

Rutgers has recorded just eight sacks this year.

Advantage: Michigan State

Special Teams

Nov 1, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Janarion Grant (1) returns Wisconsin Badgers kick during the third quarter at High Points Solutions Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

I’m going to keep this one short and simple. Rutgers has Janarion Grant who is a dynamic kickoff and punt returner, already returning three total this season for touchdowns. Michigan State doesn’t have the best coverage, so that could lead to issues.

Michael Geiger has struggled to make field goals this year as his confidence is wavering, hitting just 3-of-7 — including two missed chip shots. Kyle Federico is 3-of-4 with a long of 48 yards. He’s not the best out there, but he’s relatively reliable.

Advantage: Rutgers

Final Score: Michigan State 42, Rutgers 24

Next: 5 reasons why 5-star SG Josh Jackson will commit to MSU

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