Michigan State Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Northwestern in Week 9
By Shawn Ekwall
Michigan State football looks to keep up its winning ways, traveling for a road matchup against Northwestern on Saturday.
Mark Dantonio’s Spartans just keep finding ways to win. Last Saturday’s 17-9 win over Indiana could be classified as ‘ugly’. Trailing 9-3 in the final quarter, Michigan State strung together back-to-back touchdown drives and its tenacious defense did the rest in sealing the win. Running back L.J. Scott scampered 18 yards for a late score and finished with 87 yards on 22 carries.
Northwestern enters with momentum of its own. The Wildcats are coming off of a thrilling 17-10 overtime win over Iowa. Quarterback Clayton Thorson‘s 1-yard touchdown run provided the winning points. The Wildcats sit at 4-3 overall, and 2-2 in the Big Ten. They have won their past two games, and will provide a major challenge for Michigan State.
Offense may be at a premium, as the Michigan State defense ranks No. 4 nationally, giving up just 262.1 yards per game. Indiana failed to reach the end zone and settled for just three field goals last Saturday. Thorson and Wildcats’ running back Justin Jackson will have to be at their best for Northwestern to have a shot at pulling the upset.
Dantonio will be looking to stay perfect in games played in Evanston. The Spartans’ coach is 4-0 against Northwestern at Ryan Field and is 28-14 in Big Ten road games.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Michigan State vs. Northwestern game..
Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Evanston, Ill.
Venue: Ryan Field
TV: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
In order for the Spartans to remain perfect in conference play and move to 5-0, the defense will have to continue to play at a high level. Sophomore linebacker Joe Bachie‘s 13 tackles against the Hoosiers earned him co-defensive player of the week honors.
The Spartans will once again try and take away the ground game of the Wildcats and force Thorson into becoming one-dimensional. Thorson is second in the Big Ten with nine interceptions. Without an adequate running game, Michigan State will pin its ears back and come after the Northwestern signal caller.
There’s little doubt that Pat Fitzgerald will have his Wildcats fired up for this one. Riding a two-game winning streak, Saturday presents a prime opportunity for Northwestern to add a signature win to its resume. How do they do it? Move the chains and establish Jackson in the ground game.
Give Thorson high-percentage throws, and limit turnovers. If the Wildcats’ defense continues to play with the confidence of the past two weeks, the probability of a tight, four-quarter game is high. If Northwestern can win the turnover battle, and make the Spartans drive the length of the field for points, the 2.5 point underdog Wildcats can pull the upset.
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Prediction
Michigan State has been living dangerously. Pulling out close wins over Minnesota and Indiana the past two weeks have the Spartans sporting a glossy record, but masking the deficiencies of a very pedestrian offense. I think Northwestern gets Jackson going on the ground, and finds rhythm in the passing game. The Wildcats are playing with confidence and the Ryan Field crowd will be energized. Northwestern turns a late Brian Lewerke interception into the game-winning points. The Wildcats notch a signature win at home.
Final Score: Northwestern 26, Michigan State 24