Ty: We got this.
Jim: I'd like to think so, but what's got you so sure?
Ty: It's obvious that at least the players were looking past Northwestern--what were they looking past them to? This game. This game is the season, now, and they know it.
Jim: I couldn't agree with you more that this game is the season. A scant four weeks ago I was preaching the gospel of how a Boise State team that hasn't lost since 2008 does deserve a shot at the national title game, now those poseurs are in our way to the national title game. Them, Iowa, PSU, Minnesota and Purdue. This was a season where my wildest dreams meant 10-2 and now that would be a bit disappointing.
However, we got this is a bit more simplistic than the truth. Our big ten season has been mired in sluggish first quarter starts. We've been outscored 13 -3 in the first quarter of big ten play. But more importantly the offense has looked anemic during the first quarter. I realize this is in part to set up the run, but if Iowa gets up 14 in the first half, I don't like our odds of a comeback in this one.
Ty: It’s true that the offense has struggled to get going in first quarters, but against Wisconsin and Michigan, I think that was more emblematic of the Spartans’ commitment to establishing the run, than of a failure to execute. Again, though, with Illinois and Northwestern, I don’t think we saw the Spartans’ best effort. Everyone on Michigan State’s bench and sideline is going to be bringing everything they’ve got to bear. Besides, the Transitive Property of College Football applies. We handily beat Wisconsin at home, Wisconsin beat Iowa at Iowa, we’ll beat Iowa at Iowa. We got this.
Jim: We also played some of our best football of the year against Wisconsin. I think we can win, but we’re basically a slightly better and more adolescent version of Iowa. We’re Iowa from last year, but Iowa is better than Michigan State was last year. We’re going to need to play four quarters tomorrow like we’ve been playing the last 2.5 quarters lately. The alternative is that Iowa comes out to establish the run and even if we start slow they’re only up 7-0 at the end of the first.
Iowa however has shown that we can throw on them. Could we come out tomorrow throwing to set up the run? It would be a game if any to do it.
Ty: Agreed. With the way the offensive line struggled to block in the second level against Northwestern, going out there and trying to out-Iowa Iowa is probably not the wisest idea. The Spartans have a much better chance to win a Cousins-Stanzi duel. Perhaps Dantonio should go with an early trick play from scrimmage? A Keyshawn Martin reverse pass to put them on their heels early?
Jim: Wouldn’t be a bad idea, but we don’t know if he’s playing or not. My guess is yes, but not a lot. I think we also have seen Nichol lineup at QB a few times in the last 4 weeks. If we’re looking to throw Iowa off balance look for Nichol to take significant snaps, although that seems unlikely. I think our best bet is to stick to what we’re good at.
Ty: On the other side of the ball, I think we should attack Stanzi early, to try and force a turnover. Everyone is expecting a run-and-stop-the-run slugfest, but I’d rather pass and rush the passer. I’d like to see Gholston deployed in unconventional fashion—again, if we surrender the run early, that’s something we can recover from. All told, if we come out attacking through the air and attacking the passer, I like us to win a shootout, 38-27.
Jim: I still like our odds, but this shouldn’t be a cakewalk, between Rucker, the sluggish 1st quarter starts and the pink locker room. I like more of a 38-35 MSU win, with apologies to 21-17 Iowa.
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