Michigan State is a bit of a mystery in terms of what you get. In the first conference game of the season, Bucky will be looking to put the pieces of this puzzle together.
There is one thing that is certain coming into this season, the Spartans will have a giant hole to fill at the wide reciever position. The name of the huge hole is Blair White, and that yardage they lost from last season is massive.
During the 2009 season White accounted for almost 1,000 yards of the Spartans passing offense. Which would be nearly a third of the Spartans total passing yards. Sparty is returning the next three in line this season including a junior named B.J. Cunningham. Remember that name because their junior quarter back Kirk Cousins should be looking for him on a regular basis.
Kirk Cousins may be the bright spot for this team coming into this season. Last year Cousins racked just over 2,600 yards and threw 19 touchdowns; while only throwing 9 interceptions. Not bad for only being a sophomore last year. The question is whether or not Cousins can continue to do that this year with White no longer in Spartan green.
In terms of a rushing game for the Spartans there was a lack of one last season. As a team the Spartans ran for just over 1,700, and punched it in 16 times. But it was a rushing game by committee last season. Sparty was unable to have a single player rush for over 50o yards in the 2009 season.
On the defensive side of the ball don't expect much to change in East Lansing. The Spartans do have some youth in some spots on the field but they are backed up with very experienced players. Last season Michigan State was stingy on rush defense only allowing 1,400 yards on the ground all season. The major hole was the secondary for the Spartans last season. During the 2009 season, Sparty gave up over 3,500 yards thru the air, and if you look at their losses they generally came against teams that could burn you deep, and pick you apart short.
So how does Wisconsin beat Sparty in the conference opener. Well, that's pretty simple. One of teh statistics that sticks out from last year with the Spartans is time of posession, and that's how Wisconsin beats Sparty.
In football if you are able to control the clock and the ball...you can generally have a pretty good day. Expect to see Clay pound the ball and be pretty well rested after his "week off" after Austin Peay. While Clay won't pour on the yards against the Spartans he will wear them down, and suck the secondary in. That's when we'll see Bucky burn Sparty with some play action and the passing game.
By keeping the ball in Bucky's hands the defense will be well rested and should be able to hold down the Spartan offense. The offense in East Lansing still has too many questions surrounding it, and will still be vulnerable against Wisconsin.
We're not saying that Michigan State will not be a good team come the end of the season, but not good enough to be the Badgers on the first saturday in October.
Boynton's Badgers Prediction: Bucky 24 Sparty 13
No comments:
Post a Comment