Not from the Spartan spirit but from NyQuil. Yup. Big N, little y, GIANT F'n Q. Ole tbone here has quit the head cold and it could not have come at a more inopportune time. But this is life, and we move on from it. So whats going on this week? O yea, the Notre Dame game.
Last week, ND came out on a tear and looked like it was going to cruise to victory. Then the second half happened. The offense sputtered, there defense faltered and suddenly they were locked up in a tight one. Going ahead on a TD with about a minute left wasn't enough as the secondary fell apart and eventually gave up the game winning drive. So whats going to happen to ND this week? Some people believe this will be a deflating game for ND and the the Spartans couldn't have asked for a better outcome of that game. Others feel that ND will come out storming and this is bad for the Spartans. I am part of that camp.
The crowd at ND stadium is going to be going bonkers. They want a win and they want it bad. Can ND go 0-3? I hope so. Which leads me to my first of three things:
1. Controlling the crowd: I think it is very important for MSU to come out strong, they do not need to score on the first possession but they need to stop ND from scoring on their first possession. Quiet the crowd a bit and then get some points on the board.
(these next two will sound familiar)
2. Defensive line play: MSU needs to come out firing on all cylinders defensively. This will be the key to the game. ND holds the best passing offensive we will see all year and that still is a weak point for us, especially the way ND passes. Worthy, Gholston and other lineman need to get to the QB - rattle him a bit.
3. Offensive line play: Our young offensive lineman will show their worth in this game. Expect Mante Teo to blitz a lot, can we pick that up and protect Kirk? Can our blockers get to the second level and spring some runs? If Kirk can stay on his feet expect him to find a lot of receivers and gain a lot of yards.
as a 3b choice: I would say Kirk needs redemption for this game (from two years ago) and he knows it. A solid showing here will go a long way to a win.
Prediction: 31-28 ND. I see them winning this one in spite of our recent success down in South Bend. ND has too much to prove to themselves. I feel it will be close throughout but ND's defense gets it done this time as time expires. (I hate writing that)
I'd love nothing more than for ND to be a powerhouse, with Michigan's victory over them representing a true corner-turning moment for the Wolverines program, but I'm more inclined to believe that Notre Dame is the most overrated 0-2 team in CFB history.
ReplyDeleteI do not mean to say that the Irish are a bad football team, I think they will win plenty of games and have the ability to go on quite a run, but they face a solid MSU team.
I see this game as an Irish victory only if they jump on the Spartans early, something a veteran MSU squad will fight to prevent. If things go the other way, the lack of confidence created by losses could allow for an easy Sparty victory.
MSU by a touchdown.
yea. i can see that. MSU needs to take the crowd out of it like i said. i think that will a long way towards motivating notre dame or deflating them. and ooo boy do i hope your prediction is more accurate.
ReplyDeletePretty sure this one is gonna go down to the wire. That has generally been the case in this rivalry.
ReplyDeleteI think MSU is a slightly better team overall, though it's fairly close. ND is at home, and might have some desperation on their side. But given that its a rivalry game I think both sides are going to be plenty fired up.
Our young offensive line is going to struggle (Hopefully only) a little bit against the best competition they have seen so far this year.
But if they can simply be OK and give our skill players even a little room I think we should be ok.
Ultimately I like our chances because of one matchup. Quarterback. We have a Senior, 3 year starter who has proven he can come up big late in games (last year see second half vs ND, Wiscy, Northwestern). They have a guy making his 7th career start or something, who has shown a propensity to throw picks.