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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will beat Nebraska in Week 12

By Connor Muldowney

BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans runs off the field and acknowledges fans following the win over the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans runs off the field and acknowledges fans following the win over the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 13: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans and Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans tackle Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 13: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans and Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans tackle Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3. Michigan State run defense vs. Nebraska run game

If there’s one area that the Cornhuskers feel good about, it’s the run game. While Adrian Martinez has had a fantastic freshman campaign, it’s been the run game, led by Devine Ozigbo, which has carried the load, at times.

The senior running back is approaching the 1,000-yard mark on the season, Martinez is up over 500 yards rushing on the year and freshman Maurice Washington is nearing the 500-yard plateau. It’s been an all-around great season for Nebraska on the ground, but it’ll be running into a brick wall on Saturday.

The Spartans pride themselves on stopping the run and they’ve done that as well as any team in the country. In fact, outside of Michigan’s Karan Higdon, Ohio State’s Mike Weber and two big runs by Penn State’s Miles Sanders, the Spartans have been dominant on the ground, allowing just 76 yards per game.

Weber may have reached 100 yards last week on 22 carries, but he averaged just 4.7 per touch and JK Dobbins was held to 28 yards on 14 touches.

Ozigbo and Washington are talented backs, but it’s going to be tough sledding versus the Spartans and Martinez will be held in the pocket nicely by the spying linebackers and containing ends.

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