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Michigan State Football: Way-too-early 2018 preview vs. Northwestern

By Stephen Robb

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Andrew Dowell #5 of the Michigan State Spartans tackles Kyle Sweet #17 of the Washington State Cougars during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Andrew Dowell #5 of the Michigan State Spartans tackles Kyle Sweet #17 of the Washington State Cougars during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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It’s revenge time. Michigan State football gets an opportunity to avenge last season’s overtime loss to Northwestern at home in 2018.

This way-too-early preview for Michigan State versus Northwestern does not take into account depth chart changes, injuries, or departures.

Must Read: MSU Football: Post-spring game-by-game predictions

This time the Spartans get the Wildcats in East Lansing. Last year, Northwestern’s Justin Jackson burned the Michigan State defense with his jukes and shiftiness. Looking at the statistics, the Spartans kept him in check, however, whenever Northwestern needed a play to keep a drive going he came up huge for them. Now that he’s in the NFL, MSU should have an easier time.

Clayton Thorson threw for over 350 yards that day in 2017. Fortunately, Michigan State’s secondary is a year older, deeper and playing at a higher level. Michigan State will again take away the running game and force Northwestern to beat them through the air. Thorson is great at getting the pigskin out of his hands quickly. The Spartans found it difficult to get to him.

Another year under the belt of this talented Spartan defense should neutralize coach Pat Fitzgerald’s strategy of dinking and dunking like he did in 2017. Michigan State on offense last season looked unstoppable at times and at others appeared to be stagnant. With another full offseason together and team chemistry at a high the Spartans should have a different result.

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The biggest question I have for this Spartan team is can the defense take the next step and regularly put pressure on the opposing quarterback. If so, then not only will they have an easy time with the Wildcats but they will be competing for the Big Ten East title.

Prediction: Michigan State will not get burned again, beating the Wildcats 35-21.

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