This Saturday marks the beginning of the Big Ten season, and for the third-straight year the Spartans open with Northwestern. The Wildcats (2-2) enter Spartan Stadium on a two-game winning streak, whereas MSU (2-2) is on a two-game skid. Adding to Northwestern’s confidence is the fact it won the past two meetings.
In 2000, the Wildcats pummeled the Spartans 37-17. But when most think of MSU vs. Northwestern, they remember last season’s 27-26 Wildcat victory at Ryan Field.
The lead changed hands four times in the last five minutes, ending on a 47-yard Northwestern field goal as time expired.
“My pride is hurt right now, and I think our kids are, too,” Spartan defensive coordinator Bill Miller said. “I think pride is a very important factor in this game and in every football game for that matter.”
But there’s a fine line between pride and revenge, something MSU head coach Bobby Williams said the Spartans can’t afford to get caught up in.
“When the ball is kicked off it’s about knowing what to do, executing your assignments, carrying out the play and getting it done,” he said. “You can’t think about revenge.”
Good execution is needed, especially considering the Spartans have struggled at the start of every game this season. In four games, they’ve only managed to post 17 points in the first quarter.
Before the season started, MSU was picked to finish third in the Big Ten. But those predictions might have been too lofty, as the Spartans have struggled all season.
“I’d say this is a very important game, especially after two losses,” junior quarterback Jeff Smoker said. “It’s the beginning of the Big Ten season, and we’ve got to get off to a good start.”
The key to MSU’s success is no surprise. The Spartans rely on junior wide receiver Charles Rogers and his 158.5 yards per game, which rank second in the nation.
Rest assured, Northwestern head coach Randy Walker knows all about Rogers. But even he doesn’t harbor any illusions of shutting down the Spartans playmaker.
“You don’t totally throttle a great player, Charles is going to make plays,” Walker said. “He’s going to make them every week against anybody he plays, and he’s going to make them for a long time to come.
“What you want to try and do is contain those big plays and not let them just go up and down the field and out the gate on you.”
Considering Rogers still is recovering from bruised ribs suffered against No. 10 Notre Dame last Saturday, the Spartans might need contributions for others more so than ever this season.
The good news for MSU fans is that Northwestern’s defense ranks dead last in the conference, yielding 517.5 yards and 40.2 points per game.
The Spartans running attack seemed to be heading in the right direction during the second half of last week’s game against the Irish. And with the Wildcats giving up a league worst 317 rushing yards per game, MSU could put forth its best rushing performance of the season.
“Since the summer I’ve thought we had the potential to win a Big Ten championship,” Smoker said. “It’s still a goal of ours and still a very reachable goal.”
