They are polar opposites. A team that has had troubles getting their feet on the ground against the team that folds like origami.
In two games, Notre Dame has scored only three points in the first half, while MSU has been held to 22 second half points in its first three games.
Last weekend was a perfect example of both teams' offensive ineptitude. Notre Dame fell out of its game with Michigan early and got trounced, while MSU took a 19-7 lead into the final minute and a half of its game before falling apart.
"I haven't been part of a team that fell apart like that in the second half," sophomore wide receiver Agim Shabaj said. "We just made too many mental mistakes."
The MSU collapse was partially due to the fact that starting quarterback Jeff Smoker left the game in the second quarter with an injury, which limited the team's offensive output from that point on.
With Damon Dowdell in the game, the team's play calling was limited. The team went more to the run game, even though Louisiana Tech expected the tactic.
"We played better than they did, but we had a lot of mistakes, a lot of penalties," Shabaj said. "I think it's better for us, because now we know what it feels like going into Notre Dame."
Head coach John L. Smith has hounded his running backs to finish out games, but they have not been dependable enough with junior Tyrell Dortch injured off and on and sophomore Jaren Hayes stepping into the premier role.
Hayes is listed as the starter for Saturday's game, but Dortch will be back in uniform and handling some of the running game.
"We have to focus on getting our assignments right," Hayes said. "The second half is a crucial time in the game. We need to just try to out-physical them."
Hayes rushed for 95 yards in the first half, but he managed only 50 yards on 13 carries in the second half.
"I'm going to try to be like a killer out there," Hayes said. "Just be physical. I'm more of a finesse guy, but I'm going to focus on playing physical."
The Spartans nearly dropped their first game in the same manner they lost to Louisiana Tech. There was only one difference.
In the first game, senior Ziehl Kavanaght fell on an onside kick attempt with 30 seconds remaining and MSU leading by five points. Against Louisiana Tech, redshirt freshman Drew Stanton bobbled the ball and dropped it when he charged the Josh Scobee onside kick attempt with a little more than a minute remaining.
Frustrated by his team's lack of effort and lack of ability to close out ball games, Smith questioned his coaching decisions this season after Saturday's game.
"If we're making the kind of mistakes that we're making, then we've given our guys too much," Smith said. "Apparently we're not able to handle a lot of these things, and maybe that's the fault of us as a staff. We gave the football game away."
