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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will beat Northwestern in Week 6

By Connor Muldowney

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 28: Brandon Randle #26 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes against Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 28: Brandon Randle #26 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes against Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 28: Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman #81 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs after a catch as Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans closes in at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 28: Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman #81 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs after a catch as Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans closes in at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan State’s secondary is improving by the week

Looking at the numbers, you would say that Michigan State’s secondary has been anything but productive this season. However, if you look at the progression over the four games, you would see the Spartans have been improving drastically.

In fact, let’s just look at the improvement from the defensive backfield from games one and two to No. 3 and No. 4:

  • vs. Utah State: 319 yards, 66% completion rate, 7.3 yards per attempt, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
  • at Arizona State: 380 yards, 63% completion rate, 7.9 yards per attempt, 1 TD, 1 INT
  • at Indiana: 272 yards, 70% completion rate, 5.9 yards per attempt, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
  • vs. Central Michigan: 182 yards, 57% completion rate, 4.5 yards per attempt, 1 TD, 2 INTs

You may look at the Indiana game as a step back because of the 70 percent completion rate, but Peyton Ramsey hit all the underneath routes he could against the Spartans, as evidenced by his 5.9 yards per attempt.

The Spartans have allowed just four touchdown passes and have seven interceptions on the season. The secondary looked to be back on track against Central and Indiana, gaining momentum heading into a crucial matchup against Northwestern.

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