The Nebraska Cornhuskers begin a really tough stretch of the schedule when they take on Michigan State Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The game is set for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff and will be televised on ESPN. The Spartans come in ranked ninth in the nation while Nebraska is ranked 13th in a matchup of two teams with 6-1 records.
Mark Dantonio is 39-20 in his sixth season as coach of Michigan State. The Spartans are known for their defense, a unit that ranks with Louisiana State and Alabama as one of the best in the nation. The leader for the Spartan defense is defensive end William Gholston (6-foot-7, 280 pounds, Sophomore). Gholston has all the physical tools to be a star in the National Football League. He also is coming off a one game suspension where he threw a punch in the win over Michigan a few weeks ago. He has seven tackles for loss this season and will be a tough matchup for the Nebraska offensive line.
A pair of linebackers spark a defense that will blitz often and from anywhere on Saturday. Denicos Allen (5-10, 220 So.) leads the team with 11 tackles for loss on the season. Middle linebacker Max Bullough (6-3, 245, So.) has 45 tackles in 2011, the top on the squad. Both these men must be accounted for in the Husker blocking schemes on offense.
In the secondary, strong safety Isaiah Lewis (5-10, 195, So.) has a team high four interceptions. The defense is very solid on every level. The Spartans give up only 13.7 points per game, 134 yards passing per game and 88.9 yards per contest rushing. The Huskers will not see a better defense the rest of the season, including in a bowl game. Nebraska will have to use speed in the receiving corps, at running back and at quarterback to break a few big plays.
Offensively, Michigan State has a good leader in quarterback Kirk Cousins (6-3,205, Sr.). Cousins is a stationary drop-back passer. On the season, Cousins averages nearly 230 yards passing per game. He completes 66.7 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Cousins is a veteran that makes good decisions. If he plays well, the Spartans will be tough to beat.
The receivers are talented for Michigan State. The big-play man is senior B. J. Cunningham (6-2, 215). He leads the team with 48 receptions and averages 103 yards receiving per game. Alfonzo Dennard is likely to shadow Cunningham all over the field. Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189, Sr.) is also a target. Martin adds his skills as the main punt returner.
The Spartans have a good back in junior Edwin Baker (5-9, 210). Baker looked very impressive in the win over Michigan. He averages 62 yards per game and Le'Veon Bell (6-2, 237, So.) adds 53 yards per game. The Huskers should be able to control the Spartans running game.
Michigan State has a typical Big 10 offensive line. They average over 64 and 301 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. Michigan State has only allowed nine sacks on the season. The best player up front is left guard Joel Foreman (6-4, 315, Sr.). If the offensive line opens up holes in the running game, the Spartans will be in good position to win.
Michigan State is very average on special teams. Kicker Dan Conroy (5-10, 190, Jr.)
is 6 of 9 on field goals with two 50 yarders this season. Punter Mike Sadler (6-0, 182, Fr.) averages less than 40 yards per punt this season. The return men have not shown big plays so far in 2011. Nebraska has a huge edge in the kicking game.
The Huskers have a team that can win Saturday. I believe they will be playing well against a team that did not play well against Notre Dame. Many people feel the Spartans will be good enough to win, but I like the Huskers speed advantage and big edge on special teams. Look for Nebraska to defeat Michigan State 24-20 on Saturday.
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