The Battle of Mid-Michigan

So here we are. Another Saturday.  There has been some lame posting on here recently, you can blame me, but it is mostly Pat's fault.  But here we go.  Energized ready for the Chippewa's. 

OFFENSE:  After a both up and down offensive performance last week, look for this MSU team to come out gunning.  Everyone has read about what Bell was able to do against Boise, look for more of the same against CMU.  The biggest difference is that I cannot imagine Bell receiving more than 20 carries.  There should be a lot of action for Caper and Hill in this game, (maybe then Hill will be allowed to tweet about Michigan?) Gaining large chunks of yards is something that MSU will look to do in the air.  Anything to erase the ugliness of last weeks receiver performance.  Burbridge and Arnett have been getting a lot of reps in practice and I expect to see a good bit of Arnett on the field.  Tony Lippett will get a chance to redeem himself, but other players will get the chance to show their skills.  In this game, Maxwell will need to show why so many MSU fans are excited about him.  His strong arm, his ability to be mobile his command of the offense after three years.  Along with that, the offensive line will need to be exactly what they are.  Bigger and better than CMU.   No turnovers for the offense this game.

DEFENSE:  On the defensive side of the ball, this game will be won up front.  I expect the MSU front four to get a ton of push and live in the Chippewa back field.  CMU will counter this by trying to draw players offside and pick up cheap yards.  Dennard and Adams will lay a blanket over the CMU receivers.  Which will  be necessary since CMU will need to pass a lot in this game.   MSU will show off how deep its defense can play even though it is against a middle to poor MAC team.  The psuh from the front four and the tight coverage on receivers should allow the linebackers to make plays in the pass game.  Lot os pass deflections and maybe even some interceptions. 

PREDICTION:  This was a short review mostly because this is not the same CMU team of three years ago, or even the same MSU team.  I expect this game to be mostly over by halftime.  If CMU is hanging around when the band is playing, I will be shocked.  How can they do that though?  They need to make the MSU offense one dimensional.  CMU will need to limit the running game and see if Maxwell has made any strides in his passing game.   If that is the game plan for CMU, expect to see a lot of play action from MSU and some  plays for large chunks of yards.  We will call this 38-10 MSU

 

(I went to CMU for a year and lived in Chip Village)