MSU v. Minnesota

Well this is it, one more game to get bowl eligible.  Some players on MSU were talking about national championship gam before the season started.  Now were talking about the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.  That sounds more tasty than fun to play.  But the game itself isnt what this team needs as much as it needs the bowl practices.  We are still a young team and as many players that can get reps as possible is a good thing (that was a clunky sentence).

OFFENSE:  There are a few things that the offense needs to show.  After last week this team needs to show that it can score in the redzone (and in general hang on to the ball).  The Minnesota defense is less than stellar so there should be plenty of opportunity to move the ball around within the 20.  Along with that, the MSU passing game need to keep taking steps forward.  This does not mean that Maxwell needs to drop back 50 times, if  he is, that will mean the score is close.  Instead  it means that the passes need to completed, they need to come on tough catches, maybe a long one or two.  One more point is getting the run game going.  MSU needs to control the clock and there is no better way to do that than running the ball and getting first downs.  With the Gophers giving up over 340 yards per game, MSU should have plenty of opportunity to move the ball

DEFENSE:  I have heard rumblings on MSU Rivals that Gholston is staying for his senior year. This should be a good thing as Gholston needs to get his stock higher.  Every game he plays in he needs to play like his life depends on it.  The Gophers are without their starting quarterback Gray and recently lost the top wide receiver.  AJ Barker recently left the team citing verbal abuse from coach Jerry Kill.  This is a huge blow for the Gophers.  It also allows the MSU defense to  focus in on fewer people.  Look for the MSU defense to attack attack and attack.  MSU will allow their cornerbacks to be one on one deep to make the young Minnesota QB beat them deep.  If he cant make the throws, this game will get ugly early.  Look for a lot of push from the interior defense line as the gopher pass game is disrupted.  Do not expect many rushes up the middle for large gains.  This will have to be an outside edge attack for the Gophers where Allen and Jones will be there to eat.

PREDICTION:  At a lovely Minnesota stadium on a cold but sunny day, the Spartans will come to town and do what they need to to get bowl eligible.  With that, I think MSU will put up a good game offensively call it 31-14 MSU