Can the Michigan State Spartans pull off an upset in Madison?
By Bob Heyrman
The Michigan State Spartans head into Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Spartans start the day as 10-point dogs — a much tighter spread than last week against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
It was a second-quarter to forget last week against the Ohio State Buckeyes for the Michigan State Spartans. If the Spartans can rid themselves of that bad taste in their mouth, they should prove to be a very tough matchup for the Badgers today. I can even see a scenario where the Spartans could come away victorious.
It’s a daunting task, but if the Spartans can slow the second-best runner in the country, they will have every opportunity to win the football game. Although the stats show Jonathan Taylor is the second-best runner in the country, don’t be fooled; he’s the best all-around back in the country.
Wisconsin is becoming an NFL running back factory. They continually churn out NFL backs. From Ron Dayne to Corey Clement, James White, Montee Ball, and Melvin Gordon. Out of that group, junior Jonathan Taylor could be the best. He’s just 84 yards shy from eclipsing 5000 career rushing yards in just two and a half seasons.
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Taylor will be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. He is tremendous rushing inside the tackles; he also has terrific vision. Taylor can bounce a run outside, and his breakaway speed makes him nearly impossible to corral in the open field.
After what J.K. Dobbins and company did on the ground last week, Taylor and the Badgers should be licking their chops. The Bucks gashed the Spartans for North of 300 yards on the ground last week, Taylor has the potential to do that himself–just ask Michigan. Taylor sits second in the country, averaging 149 yards per game. He’s also accounted for 16 touchdowns already this season.
The Spartans’ defense remains one of the best groups in the country. Mark Dantonio has a lot of pride. I expect the Spartans will be ready today. They were embarrassed last week; I don’t expect a Dantonio team to be embarrassed two weeks in a row.
If the Spartans can contain the run, they will have an excellent opportunity to beat the Badgers. The concerns yet again come on offense. Brain Lewerke leads the Big Ten in passing–much to my surprise, he’s having himself a solid season. He’s totaled 1543 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions thus far. He’s been a victim of a few costly drops as well.
Wisconsin has aspirations of being the team out of the Big Ten to compete for a National Championship. It’s a tough task with how good the Buckeyes look under the direction of first-year head coach Ryan Day. Josh Fields at quarterback and the Buckeyes run game will be a tough out.
A bounce-back win over the Wisconsin Badgers could be the calling for this Michigan State Spartans unit. A win over the number 8 team in the country would undoubtedly be an impressive feat.
The Badgers rank third in the Big Ten with 457 yards of total offense per game. The Spartans currently sit ninth with 392. Wisconsin averages 43 points per game, good for third in the conference. MSU averages 28. The Spartans are missing a thumper in the backfield. Collins is a good back, but he’s no Taylor. Lewerke is often forced to do it all himself, MSU ranks fourth in passing yet tenth in rushing throughout the conference.
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The numbers don’t fare well for MSU today, but if they’ve sured up their run defense, they should be able to hang around long enough to have a chance to steal one.