Matt Trannon vs. Darrelle Revis
Don't expect to see Matt Trannon get 14 catches, or anything close to that, in Saturday's game. He'll often line up across from Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis, a first-team All-Big East performer last year. Revis has good size (6 foot, 200 pounds) for a cornerback and can somewhat neutralize Trannon's height advantage. Revis' ability will also allow him to play Trannon and other MSU receivers tighter and not give the cushion Eastern Michigan gave that enabled Trannon to break MSU's single-game catches record.
Revis, who Pittsburgh quarterback Tyler Palko called the best defensive back in the country, has two interceptions for the year — both returned for touchdowns.
But MSU's offense isn't a one-man show, and head coach John L. Smith said he'd prefer to stay away from high-caliber players like Revis. So if Revis is used to lock down Trannon or another Spartans receiver, look for others to step up.
"Within our offense if you try to have Revis shadow Trannon, then we got Jerramy Scott, we got Kerry Reed, we got Terry Love and we got our tight ends," MSU senior quarterback Drew Stanton said.
MSU defensive line vs. Pitt offensive line
The MSU line showed a vast improvement between its first and second games. Idaho's offensive line pushed the Spartans off the ball and opened holes so the Vandals' running backs could move the chains, control the clock and keep the game close. The Spartans put much more pressure on Eastern Michigan, forced hurried throws and sacked the quarterback twice. Junior defensive end Ervin Baldwin has gotten to the quarterback the most often, and as the group gets more snaps, production should improve. But the group is inexperienced — two of the starting four are junior college transfers.
Pittsburgh returns four starters from an offensive line that allowed 30 sacks in 2005 — nearly three per game. They may have experience, but they've yet to produce results. The group could have trouble handling MSU's rotating trio of defensive tackles: 290-pound senior David Stanton, 302-pound senior Clifton Ryan and 297-pound junior Ogemdi Nwagbuo.
Wannstedt vs. Smith
Let's try something a little different — a mini breakdown.
• Trademark fashion statement
Smith: Cowboy boots
Wannstedt: Tom Selleck-quality mustache
• Common fan complaints
Smith: Teams start strong, finish poorly
Wannstedt: Makes a better coordinator than a head coach
• Monumental coaching collapse
Smith: U-M 45, MSU 37 (3 OT), 2004
Wannstedt: San Francisco 44, Chicago 15, 1994 NFC Divisional Playoffs
•Biggest coaching victory
Smith: Louisville 26, Florida State 20 (OT), 2002
Wannstedt: Chicago 35, Minnesota 18, 1994 NFL Wildcard Game
• Classic quote
Smith: "The kids are playing their tails off, and the coaches are screwing it up!"
Wannstedt: Nothing comparable
Obviously, it's a matchup of coaches with shaky careers. Both have notched big wins on their belts and improved the teams they've worked with, but both also have failed to deliver during the biggest of games.
MSU running game vs. Pitt run defense
At first glance, it appears that MSU has a huge advantage in the running game — literally and figuratively. The average weight of MSU's offensive line is 309 pounds, while Pittsburgh's defensive line comes in at an average of about 261 pounds. On paper, MSU should be able to get a strong push up front and open holes for 260-pound junior Jehuu Caulcrick and sophomore Javon Ringer, who is battling an ankle injury. But in reality, Pittsburgh has stood strong against the run this season, giving up just 87 combined rushing yards in its first two games.
MSU has averaged 220 yards rushing so far this season and needs to establish the run to set up the passing attack. Pittsburgh middle linebacker H.B. Blades, son of former Detroit Lion Benny Blades, leads the way for the Panthers and is a punishing force. Palko describes the first-team All-Big East performer as "someone that will hurt you when he hits you, and he wants to hurt you when he hits you." Despite his presence, MSU will need to attack the Panthers straight ahead to take advantage of the size disparity and negate Pittsburgh's speed at linebacker, where Clint Session and converted safety Tommie Campbell — who Blades said is the fastest player on the team — also roam.
