Michigan State Football: Preview, prediction vs. Northwestern in Week 9
Michigan State football is hitting the road to take on Northwestern in Week 9 and here’s everything you need to know.
This year’s matchup between Michigan State and Northwestern is far more important than it was thought to be at the beginning of the season. Michigan State is 6-1 and 4-0 in the Big Ten, looking to improve to 5-0 ahead of a big matchup with Penn State in Week 10 to potentially help decide the conference title race.
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Brian Lewerke is the most important factor on this team moving forward. He’s in his first year as a full-time starter and looking to really take that step into star status on the offensive side of the ball. He’s completing about 59 percent of his passes for 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns with only three picks and he’s rushed for 313 yards and three more scores.
Facing Northwestern for the second year in a row, Lewerke is looking to get revenge. The Wildcats are just 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten West. They took last year’s matchup in East Lansing via a high-scoring affair and it was actually Lewerke’s first-career start. Revenge will be on the radar Saturday afternoon.
Clayton Thorson will be an important factor for the Wildcats as he’s passed for 1,688 yards and eight touchdowns, but he has nine picks. The Spartan defense will be licking its chops. Also, Justin Jackson has been a force to be reckoned with in the backfield. Can the Michigan State defense slow him down?
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Michigan State vs. Northwestern game:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Evanston, Ill.
Venue: Ryan Field
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
Let’s start with the offensive side of the ball. Michigan State needs to balance the rushing attack with the pass more effectively. Too often in the first seven games, Michigan State has been sticking with strictly runs or heavily passing, not mixing things up. In order to set up the downfield pass, the Spartans need to run the ball effectively.
The game plan should be similar to the one against Minnesota. Pitch to the outside and let the running backs find holes while following blocks. That will set up more passes, getting Brian Lewerke some confidence to take shots down the field on play-actions. More outside runs, less between the tackles and, please, none to the short side of the field.
Defensively, Michigan State just needs to keep doing what it’s been doing. The biggest key in this one, though, is stopping Justin Jackson. He’s been a Spartan-killer in years past, so if Michigan State can hold him to under 100 yards, forcing Clayton Thorson to try and beat the Spartans with his arm, it will be a long day for the Wildcats.
Betting Odds
Odds via SportsBook Review
Line: Michigan State -1
Over/Under: 41.5
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Prediction
Michigan State needs to win road games like this one if it wants to make a run at the Big Ten title in 2017. The Spartans, however, will get behind 14-0 early on and have to claw their way back into it. They will pull within four, 14-10, at halftime before getting the ball back to start the second half. The offense will be able to move down the field, but once again, touchdowns will be at a premium. Northwestern will hold a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter but a field goal and then an LJ Scott touchdown run in the final few minutes will complete the comeback.
Final Score: Michigan State 27, Northwestern 24