Michigan State Football: Can Spartans end skid against Northwestern?

Michigan State football seeks to redeem itself against Northwestern this coming Saturday. Can the Spartans bounce back?

I made several way-too-early predictions on the Spartans win totals and after last week’s dismal performance I’m unsure about this contest or what this team can accomplish this season.

It was this time a year ago that the Wildcats were struggling offensively as was MSU. However, Northwestern looked worse. Then-quarterback Clayton Thorson was still recovering from injury and the Wildcats’ offense could not get going.

Then they squared off against Michigan State and it changed the Wildcats’ season. I get the same feeling about this game. Michigan State is playing sloppy football and a struggling Northwestern team can pounce on an unfocused squad. Wildcats quarterback Hunter Johnson has been less than impressive and appearing not to be the five-star player he was coming out of high school. Yet he has a big arm and is able to move in the pocket, which makes him dangerous against MSU’s defense.

Here’s how you can watch online:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Evanston, Ill.
Venue: Ryan Field
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

Northwestern has owned the Spartans with their dink and dunk offense. If MSU can stop the short game, then the Wildcats will go over the top and hope senior cornerback Josh Butler (not to pick on him however it has happened) bites on a double move or they get a flag for pass interference. No defense can be perfect all the time. However, Michigan State may need them to get as close to perfection as they can.

If Northwestern is allowed to hang around in this game into the fourth quarter then they will win. Las Vegas had the betting line at almost 10 points earlier in the week, but this is a stay-away game due to the Jekyll and Hyde play of the Spartans. Injuries are one thing but at some point, you have to have the depth. This game is a “show me” game. Can you be the team many thought you could or are you really going to be another 7-6 team?

Prediction

The penalties and dropped passes are weighing down an MSU team that has the potential to contend for the East division. This is a water-shed game for the Spartans, however, I have some improvement, but not enough to overtake Northwestern.

Prediction: Michigan State 15, Northwestern 17