http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2012/09/live_spartans_updates_michigan.html
If this game is anything like the last time these two met in East Lansing, we have quite the matchup in store for all of us then.
In 9 of the last 12 meetings, the game has been decided by a TD or less and the Domers have not defeated Sparty in consecutive road games since the 1993 and 1994 seasons.
Yes, that is a while back but these two teams have a flare for the dramatics and this has a huge impact on Notre Dame’s impact on the BCS, since some are expecting them to get an at-large bid (Lee Corso has them Sugar Bowl against UGA, staged or not it is a pick).
Cierre Wood is returning from a suspension and the stars seem to be aligned at least for a push towards national relevancy with a defensive line that finally looks legit.
Stephon Tuitt, Louis Nix III and Kapron Lewis-Moore have played exceptionally well up front, but it has been the linebackers that has really tee’d off on the competition.
Playing in front of a shaky secondary has allowed Manti Te’o to play like the best linebacker in the country (save Jarvis Jones), and Prince Shembo isn’t far behind these days either.
Going up against Le’Veon Bell will be quite the chore since he has been arguably the most accomplished back through two weeks thanks to a Spartans line that is taking over as the best in the Big Ten.
Andrew Maxwell finally put together a solid game which means the young receivers have an opportunity to rip apart a secondary that is young. Bennett Jackson and Zeke Motta are the two that headline this group, but the concern will be the length and athleticism that MSU has.
Plus, they will be focused on loading up the box which means there will be a ton of opportunities to see what exactly Notre Dame is made of.
Certainly with every other sport in South Bend heading to the ACC, the excitement factor will be there although this game is strictly business for Brian Kelly. Many counted this squad out and this game looks like it could be the toughest outside of trips to Los Angeles and Norman against top 5 squads.
The game will come down to how Everett Golson performs under pressure. Michigan State has one of the five or six best defenses in the country, and T.J. Jones and DaVaris Daniels will need to take the pressure off Tyler Eifert.
MSU had four Bednarik Award players on the preseason Watch List, but there isn’t one that carries this team.
Williams Gholston is considered the anchor since he can create so much havoc, but Denicos Allen, Isaiah Lewis and Johnny Adams are all future prospects in the NFL.
Marcus Rush is one freak off the edge you do not want to forget about because has linebacker speed and athleticism that could cost the Irish dearly.
In fact, this ball control offense of the Spartans will stagger Notre Dame into some early field goals, but Maxwell and that killer defense will land their knockout punch once it becomes crunch time.
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern
Network: ABC
Experts Pick: Michigan State by 6
Danny V’s Pick: Michigan State 30, Notre Dame 21
