Michigan State Spartans: Scarlet Knights Heading Up To Snowy East Lansing on Saturday

A week before Thanksgiving arrives and the state of Michigan already has encountered the evil phenomena called snow, a white substance that derails the spirits of every Michigander during this time of year.

For the Michigan State Spartans die-hards who are committed to sitting down on the cold, metal benches at Spartan Stadium this weekend when their beloved Big Ten program takes the field at home for the last time this season, it’s suggested that you dress up for the weather.

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This won’t be the first time that snow has fallen on East Lansing this season, as it helped propel the Ohio State Buckeyes to victory two weeks ago to garner the No. 6 spot in the college football playoff rankings.

While the snow may not be as big of a factor on Saturday as it has been this week, it may very well put a dagger to the campus festivities before and after the final home game of the season.

Which is understandable, considering that these are Michigan State students we’re talking about here, who have willingly decided to leave games during halftime. If you need more evidence, check out the crowd during the Nebraska and Eastern Michigan games during the second half.

As the cold weather bombards the university when they host Rutgers in their second-to-last game of the season, so will the Spartans’ offense against an above average, Scarlet Knights program.

This will be the sixth meeting between these two programs, their first in over a decade when Drew Stanton took snaps under center for former head coach, John L. Smith, as Rutgers pulled off the 19-14 win in front of the home crowd back in 2004. The Knights lead the series, 3-2.

Oddly enough, Rutgers is currently undefeated against teams in the mitten this year as they knocked off the Michigan Wolverines more than a month ago at home to capture their first Big Ten victory in school-history.

But there’s no arguing that the Spartans are a much different animal in the Big Ten than their in-state arch rival. As the reigning conference and Rose Bowl champions, Rutgers will be just be another walk in the park, which is what Vegas Insider believes as well.

According to the sports book website, Rutgers is listed as a 22-point underdog before their Eastern division clash with the Spartans. Keith Sargeant of NJ.com wrote on Sunday that if the line stays, then it’ll be the largest spread by an opposing team this season for Rutgers.

Do the Knights have a chance in covering the spread if the line holds? Absolutely, considering that they’re currently bowl eligible following their 45-23 win over Tevin Coleman and the Indiana Hoosiers last weekend.

Against other Big Ten opponents this season, nothing spectacular to mention, except for a three-point loss to Penn State in week three in Piscataway.

Ranked 79th in rushing yard totals in the FBS this season, Rutgers managed to record 197 yards on the ground and four touchdowns on 31 carries against Indiana by both Josh Hicks and Robert Martin.

However, their flourished rushing attack will now face the No. 8 ranked team in rush defense, led by middle linebacker, Taiwan Jones and defensive end, Shilique Calhoun. Defensive coordinator, Pat Narduzzi’s unit managed to give up just six yards rushing to Maryland last weekend during their 37-15 on the road.

The No. 11 ranked Spartans (8-2) will counter with a formidable rushing attack of their own, as Jeremy Langford will look to continue his success against Rutgers (6-4).

Langford, the senior running back, ran for 138 yards against the Terrapins, which totals his consecutive 100-yard rushing total against a Big Ten opponent to 14 games.

Prediction: Michigan State 31, Rutgers 13

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