Michigan State Football: Preview, prediction and more vs. Notre Dame
By Stephen Robb
Michigan State football will take on a tough Notre Dame team on Saturday evening. Here’s everything you need to know.
Michigan State and Norte Dame resume their rivalry this Saturday in East Lansing. The Spartans are coming off a bye and they’re looking to make it two wins in a row over the Fighting Irish.
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Circumstances are appearing eerily similar to last year’s contest. The Spartans come in 2-0, facing a Norte Dame team that could have been 3-0 if not for a one-point loss to Georgia.
The pressure has been mounting for Brian Kelly ever last season’s 4-8 debacle. This is a make-or-break game both for the Irish and the Spartans. If the Irish lose, it will not getting any easier and the same is true for MSU. A win will provide the much needed momentum for either team. A loss for the Spartans makes their bowl chances tougher, albeit not impossible.
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Michigan State vs Notre Dame:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Spartan Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go
Keys to Victory
Norte Dame brings it’s star quarterback Brandon Wimbush and it’s high-powered offense into Spartan Stadium. MSU will be tested with the deep ball. The Irish struggled against Georgia, however, the Bulldogs forced Wimbush to beat them with his arm and that is what MSU must do. Wimbush is a little over 50 percent in his completion percentage, but it’s his legs that crush a defense’s spirits. He did this to Boston College that game was close until he started making some runs.
Michigan State’s defensive line will have to be disciplined in their lanes and contain Wimbush while applying the pressure. The game is under the lights and both sides will be hyped and it certainly will help the Spartans as they are at home.
However, it’s imperative that the young Spartan offense remains calm. Mark Dantonio has frequently commented on Brian Lewerke’s sturdy hand in tense situations. Nevertheless, the signal-caller will need to have good mechanics because he has missed throws in the two previous games because of it.
Football is a team sport and it may be unfair to put it all on one guy, but that is the case with Lewerke. When you are the quarterback for a college team, all eyes are on you. He has thus far risen to the occasion but he is facing his greatest test thus far this season. The offensive line has not opened the holes the running backs have needed and now they face an athletic Irish front. Lewerke will need to make plays with his arm and legs.
Next: MSU Football: 5 takeaways from first two weeks of 2017
Prediction
I have gone back and forth on this game. If you’d asked me last week, I would say the Spartans will lose this game. Maybe I am more optimistic this week. I believe the Spartans’ defense will turn in their best performance of the season to date on Saturday. Lewerke will make plays with his legs and help the offense get on the board.
Final Score: Notre Dame 17, Michigan State 21