Michigan State takes aim at the Georgia Bulldogs in today’s Outback Bowl from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Kick off is scheduled for 1PM ET and can be viewed on ABC.
For Michigan State, win or lose it would cap off another impressive season and a very impressive run for a group of seniors who with their 36 total wins is the most in the 115 year history of the school.
However, something the seniors would like to do is turn around their luck in the postseason. Currently the Spartans are on a five game bowl losing streak and haven’t won a bowl game yet under the direction of head coach Mark Dantonio. Michigan State would also like to get some revenge on the SEC after their embarrassing loss to Alabama last year.
Georgia Player to Watch: Jarvis Jones, LB
The Michigan State running game and offensive line could have their hands full limiting the defensive production of sophomore linebacker Jarvis Jones. He currently leads the team with 69 tackles and has 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss as well as two forced fumbles. Jones is also a finalist for the Butkus Award and is first in the SEC and 10th in the nation with 1.5 tackles for a loss a game.
Michigan State Player to Watch: Le’Veon Bell, RB
Bell has been on fire the past five games averaging 93.5 yards per game and has scored 5 touchdowns. Bell also had a breakout game of sorts against Wisconsin rushing for 106 yards and one touchdown in the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin. Currently he is 100 yards away from a 1,000 yard rushing season.
Today’s game though against Georgia should be a challenging one though as the Bulldogs comes in with the #3 defense in the nation and is eighth in rushing defense, giving up 103.4 yards per game.
If the offensive line though can continue to open up some paths for Bell the Spartans and especially Kirk Cousins should have a good day offensively.
Avoid the slow start
It seems as though Michigan State has been playing from behind all season. During the Big Ten title game Michigan State quickly found themselves down 21-7 and were lucky enough to turn things around and actually make a game out of it. Bottom line, Michigan State cannot afford slow start after slow start especially against a good team with a good defense like Georgia.
Take advantage of a turnover prone Georgia QB
Michigan State’s biggest advantage heading into today’s Outback Bowl is their defense, especially when it comes to forcing turnovers. The Spartans lead the Big Ten in interceptions with 16, and they recovered six fumbles for a turnover margin of plus-7, good for second in the conference. They also lead the Big Ten with 41 sacks.
Something that the Spartans must take advantage of today is Georgia QB Aaron Murray. So far this season Murray has thrown has thrown 12 interceptions and only is completing 58.8 percent of his passes. Now to Murray’s credit he has seen some very good defenses playing in the SEC however the Spartans have five players with three or more sacks and two defensive backs with four interceptions apiece.
Prediction
Michigan State and Georgia in many ways are very similar teams. Their defenses often times are forced to compensate for the short comings of their offenses. However Michigan State’s defense will prove to be just a little bit better than Georgia’s today. Michigan State wins 34-28.
Ref: Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Getty (image)
