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Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Wisconsin
Michigan State football is set to take on Wisconsin Saturday afternoon and here are our five bold predictions.
The Wisconsin game is one of the biggest on Michigan State football’s schedule for the 2016 season and that should come as no surprise. Each time these two teams meet up, it seems like an instant class.
In fact, the last seven times the Badgers and Spartans have connected, the games have been decided by an average of just about five points. That’s an unreal margin seeing as both sides are two of the top programs in the Big Ten. Well, that just shows how evenly-matched they have been.
However, Michigan State and Wisconsin haven’t played each other since 2012 when Andrew Maxwell engineered a game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat the 25th-ranked Badgers. That was the most memorable moment of the one-year starting quarterback’s career.
Could there be more excitement and intrigue in this one as Michigan State takes on Wisconsin in East Lansing Saturday afternoon? Check out our five bold predictions.
5. Secondary records two picks
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) walks off the field after a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Am I nuts? Michigan State’s secondary allowed 344 passing yards to DeShone Kizer, a majority of which came in the second half. That statement alone should make two interceptions against Wisconsin unlikely, right? Wrong.
Michigan State’s secondary actually had a decent game against the Fighting Irish, for the most part. The Spartans allowed just over 150 yards through the air in the first half and were frustrating Kizer in the third with tight coverage and heavy blitzes.
However, Michigan State began to back off after a 36-7 lead and Notre Dame took advantage of the slight prevent that the secondary was playing. Kizer finished the game strong just because of the defensive play-calling being lackluster late.
Expect the Spartans to turn up the pressure on Hornibrook early on and make him uncomfortable in the pocket, forcing a couple of errant passes which will be picked off by the secondary.
Demetrius Cox and Vayante Copeland will come up with a pick each.
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) leaps over Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Nyles Morgan (5) during the first half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
4. LJ Scott will have a 100-yard game
I’ve definitely gone off the deep end, right? Playing against the 19th-ranked run defense in the country which has allowed just over 100 total yards in the last two games should mean a tough contest is looming for sophomore starter LJ Scott, but he will be up to the challenge.
Well, not only him but the entire offensive line is going to create holes for the back and the running room might not be as vast as it was against Notre Dame, but it’ll be enough for Scott to account for over 100 yards.
It’ll be a slow start for the young running back, struggling to find daylight, but the offensive line will adjust and figure out the defensive scheme quickly, allowing Scott to finish with 121 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Another ‘pound, green, pound’ game for the Spartans as they look to punish Wisconsin’s front-seven.
Leonard Fournette gashed Wisconsin for 138 yards on 6.0 per carry, so why can’t Scott get near that mark? It’s very possible and, in my eyes, likely.
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Jon Reschke (33) and linebacker Riley Bullough (30) celebrate interception of Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14)(not pictured) during the second half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
3. Defense will contain the Badgers’ run game
Corey Clement is questionable right now and if Wisconsin’s top rusher can’t play, the Spartans will have no problem containing the run. Hornibrook isn’t a dual-threat quarterback and neither is backup Bart Houston.
Bradrick Shaw has shown potential in the run game this season, rushing for 136 yards and a touchdown on 5.7 yards per touch. He’s another in a long line of impressive Wisconsin running backs working their way up through the system.
It’s tough to shut down the Badgers on the ground since that’s their main means of yardage gain. Ever since Bret Bielema was in charge, Wisconsin has had an elite run game. Heck, even before then with Barry Alvarez and when Ron Dayne was still in Madison, Wisconsin caused nightmares for opponents.
Montee Ball, James White and Melvin Gordon have come through the program over the years and Clement might be the latest to make the NFL leap after this season. However, he’s having a tough time staying healthy.
Even if Clement does play, it’ll be a long day for him and that tender ankle of his. The Spartans are going to load the box often and limit the Badgers’ rushing attack to just over 100 yards, at most.
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Monty Madaris (88) makes a catch against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
2. Monty Madaris will lead all receivers
Monty Madaris is already off to a career-best start in 2016. He may have just seven catches for 125 yards, but coming into this season, he had only seven receptions for 103 yards in three eligible seasons. Madaris has been fighting injuries throughout his career, but he’s finally emerging as a true No. 1 threat.
Tyler O’Connor has placed a lot of trust in his senior wide out. Along with R.J. Shelton, Madaris could be the next great Spartan wide out to break out during his senior season. The previous two have been Tony Lippett and Aaron Burbridge.
The potential is there for Madaris if he can remain healthy and he already has a great relationship with his quarterback. I expect him to lead Michigan State in receiving for the second game this season and get close to, if not over, 100 yards on the day with his first career touchdown catch.
Wisconsin’s secondary struggled with Georgia State last week and the Panthers had a lackluster passing attack before that game. Expect O’Connor to have much more success and finish with over 250 yards and two scores, one of them going to No. 88.
Final stat line will look like this: six catches, 93 yards and one touchdown.
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans tailback L.J. Scott (3) and wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) celebrate after MSU defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 36-28 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
1. Michigan State wins by two scores
It’ll be a nice win for Michigan State in East Lansing, but the final score won’t be truly indicative of how close it actually was. The Spartans will fall behind 7-0 early on and finally take a 14-10 lead into the half.
Must Read: MSU vs. Wisconsin: 5 most memorable games in series history
The third quarter will be marked with only one touchdown by the Badgers on a run by Bradrick Shaw to make it 17-14 heading into the fourth. Tensions will rise and stress will be at an all-time high for fans, but the offense and defense will combine for a 14-0 fourth quarter and a huge go-ahead score with 10 minutes left.
Michigan State will add an insurance touchdown after an interception by Cox with five minutes left and a methodical four-minute drive ending in six points thanks to Scott.
The Spartans will come out on top 28-17 and it will be thanks to a calm, cool and collected O’Connor as well as a strong ground game. Squandering early opportunities will nearly come back to bite this team, but resilience is shown for the second straight game.
Michigan State wins a big one by two scores and heads into Week 5 with a 3-0 record and a potential jump in the polls.
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