Last week, Iowa’s front seven shut down running back Javon Ringer and kept quarterback Brian Hoyer in check. MSU’s offensive line will need a better performance this week against a strong Northwestern front seven.
MSU has given up the fewest sacks in the Big Ten (2), while Northwestern is tied for having the most sacks in the Big Ten (17).
This matchup is full of experienced players on both sides of the ball, with six senior and four junior starters.
Ringer knows his offensive line will be key for him, especially because Northwestern has the fifth-best rush defense in the Big Ten.
EDGE: Push. MSU’s offensive line will need to create many holes for Ringer in order to set up the play-action pass, but it won’t be easy against a talented and cerebral defense. Games are won in the trenches and this will be key for MSU’s offense to succeed.
Northwestern quarterback Bachér torched the Spartans’ secondary with 520 yards and five touchdown passes last year.
This year, he’s fourth in the Big Ten in passing yards but last among Big Ten starters in pass efficiency. MSU, which ranks seventh in the Big Ten in pass defense, has struggled against the pass this year, especially against teams who employ the spread offense.
Sophomore Chris L. Rucker’s status as “doubtful” is cause for concern, although safety Otis Wiley should be fine after leaving last week’s game with a leg injury. Defensive back Kendell Davis-Clark should also see the field for the first time since the season opener against California.
EDGE: Push. Bachér lit up the Spartans last season — but that was last season. He isn’t the complete focus of the offense this year thanks to the health and solid play of senior running back Tyrell Sutton.
Right now, MSU’s secondary appears to be healthy enough, but if another defensive back goes down, look for Bachér to explode.
MSU has had a “bend but don’t break” attitude on defense this season. They’ve allowed teams to drive down the field, but have tightened before letting them cross the goal line. Last week against Iowa, MSU forced two red-zone turnovers.
For the season, opponents have scored just 10 out of 18 times against MSU in the red zone, making the Spartans the top red-zone defense in the conference.
Northwestern is 20 for 22 in the red zone with 12 touchdowns. They are second to Penn State in the Big Ten.
EDGE: Northwestern. MSU can’t keep relying on red zone stops to end long drives. Northwestern will tire out MSU’s defense and succeed in the red zone if they can sustain a drive. The only way MSU will stop Northwestern is by forcing 3-and-outs or short drives.
Mark Dantonio has more coaching experience than 34-year-old Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, but Fitzgerald is 1-0 against Dantonio and would be 2-0 against MSU if the Spartans hadn’t mounted the greatest comeback in Division-1 college football history in 2006.
Many MSU players were on that 2006 team and know they are never out of a game against Northwestern thanks to Fitzgerald’s poor coaching performance in that game.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Northwestern had a bye last week and has had two weeks to prepare for this game, meaning Dantonio might need to incorporate a few trick plays to catch Fitzgerald off guard.
EDGE: Dantonio. Dantonio won’t let MSU slump to 38-3 first-half deficit like then-head coach John L. Smith did. Northwestern’s 5-0 record may make Fitzgerald look spectacular, but the Wildcats haven’t beaten anyone worth noting.
We’ll see how Fitzgerald fares against the best team he’s faced all season.
