Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will beat Northwestern in Week 9

Michigan State Football: 5 reasons the Spartans will beat Northwestern in Week 9

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans hands off the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 14: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats throws a first half pass against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on October 14, 2017 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

3. Clayton Thorson will struggle

Just like he has for a good chunk of the season, Clayton Thorson will struggle on Saturday. He’s not one to take over a game with his arm, although he has two 350-plus yard performances this season against Nevada and Bowling Green, he’s also been known to turn the ball over.

In fact, he has two interceptions in four of his past six outings. That’s not exactly a winning strategy for a quarterback as every time he throws a pick, it messes with his confidence and rattles him. In three of the four games in which he has thrown two picks, he has less than 220 yards passing and completes less than 56 percent of his throws.

Michigan State has had one of the best defensive backfields in the country so far this season and that will plague Thorson on Saturday. He won’t be able to find a rhythm and he’ll throw another couple of picks and be held under 150 yards for the third time this season.

Struggles through the air will put the entire offensive game plan on Justin Jackson’s back, but that won’t work out well as the Spartans will be ready for the talented rusher.

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