For the second consecutive season, Michigan State looks to get 10 wins on the year as they travel to Evanston, Illinois to take on Northwestern from Ryan Field.
Last weekend, to no one’s surprise, Michigan State pile-drove Indiana 55-3 from Spartan Stadium. This weekend though, Michigan State is matched up against a Northwestern team that has played Michigan State very tough, especially at home.
But in order for Michigan State to get those ten wins and head into the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, here are some of the keys to the game against the Wildcats…
Northwestern player to watch: Dan Persa, QB
There’s no doubt that senior QB Dan Persa gives the Wildcats a supremely better chance to pull off the upset. He is a very accurate thrower that can escape the pocket if it collapses on him.
Now even though Persa has been dealing with injuries this season, Kain Colter has been filling in very nicely at QB for the Wildcats and has been one of the more electrifying players for the Wildcats this season.
Any success however for Northwestern today is going to rest on the shoulders of Dan Persa.
Michigan State player to watch: B.J. Cunningham, WR
Michigan State’s all-time leading receiver will play his final regular season game against a pass defense that is ranked 10th in the Big Ten. Last season at Ryan Field Cunningham went off with eight catches for 113 yards including a 9-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that ended up being the winning score.
Cunningham has six 100 yard reception games this season and given the weak secondary for the Wildcats, Kirk Cousins will look to deliver seven to Cunningham.
Continue to run the ball
Aside from Northwestern’s weak secondary, the run defense is all that great either. Even though Michigan State has a nice set of running backs, the running game has tremendously underachieved this season ranking last in the Big Ten in rushing (136.5 yards a game). However, Michigan State has improved in recent weeks and will look to continue that success this week against the Wildcats.
Le’Veon Bell and Edwin Baker should find plenty of carries as Michigan State looks to attack on the ground to open things up more through the air.
Don’t look ahead
Even though Michigan State has clinched the Legends Division and a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game, this final regular season game is still important. A win against Northwestern could also provide some insurance for Michigan State should they fall in that Big Ten Championship Game coming up.
Predictions
Like many times this season, Michigan State could be looking ahead to their next opponent and forgetting about the one in hand. The good thing is Northwestern provides many holes this their own game for Michigan State to get away with this for a little while. Spartans win 34-17.
Ref: Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Zimbio (image)
