Michigan State football is out for revenge in Week 2.
While the players are downplaying this as "not a revenge game", it feels like that's just a way to keep the focus on one game at a time, and not trying to come out too amped up only to fall flat. Revenge is on the Spartans' minds, but they're not showing it.
It's on fans' minds, though. Michigan State fans have had this game circled since last September when the Eagles won in the final minute to crush the Spartans' dreams of a 4-0 start.
Boston College lost Thomas Castellanos, and will look plenty different this season, but the Eagles aren't going to be a cakewalk opponent.
Still, the Spartans have some key advantages, and here are the top three.
1. Run defense vs. Boston College's rushing offense
Whether it was poor running or the offensive line's inability to get a push against Fordham (!!), the Eagles finished the opener with just 97 yards on 39 carries. That's just a gross effort against an FCS school, especially when you run the ball that many times and can't even break 100 yards. Heck, Makhi Frazier broke 100 yards on 14 carries of his own.
On the flip side, Michigan State's defensive line ate up Western Michigan's blockers, and held the Broncos to just 29 rushing yards on 24 carries.
This advantage is clear.
2. Nick Marsh
How is this an advantage in itself? Well, Nick Marsh is going to be arguably the best receiver on the field on Saturday night, and Boston College has yet to face him.
A year ago, Marsh was ruled out for the Boston College game after suffering a minor injury, and that led to Aidan Chiles having a nightmare of a time trying to find open receivers all game long. He won't have that problem this year with Marsh healthy and accompanied by Omari Kelly, Chrishon McCray, Evan Boyd, Rod Bullard, and Jack Velling. Boston College is going to have a tough time trying to stop this group of pass-catchers led by sophomore sensation.
Boston College got off lightly last year by not having to guard Marsh.
3. Quarterback experience
Aidan Chiles has played in some big games over the past year. He has faced teams like Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan, and has become a better quarterback because of those games.
He's also faced Boston College on the road in a rainstorm during the dreaded (for opponents) Red Bandana Game. And he should have won. Chiles had three turnovers in that game, but he didn't get much help from the rest of his offense, and he still nearly put the team on his back and won his second straight road game.
Chiles is back with a year of experience and learning under his belt while Boston College will be led by Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan who had eight pass attempts with the time for 35 yards in two years and who has only started against Fordham in his college career.
My money is on the veteran with the elite ceiling.