Ok, so here's the thing about Nebraska, for a team that is in it's first season in the Big Ten, they sure do like to kick our asses a lot. Nebraska is 5-0 against MSU historically, with the most recent loss coming in the 2003 Alamo Bowl(aka "Richie Incognito destroyed Stanton's knee and laughed while he plotted his next murder" bowl). We've made several attempts to their heroic coach of yore, Tom Osborne, but we lost out on that too. In short, they've owned us hard throughout the years.
While this is the same old Nebraska team(option rushing, strong defense) this Michigan State team is better than any version that has played Nebraska in years past. That's what will make this matchup interesting. That and Darrell and his other brother Darrell.
Every Thanksgiving the following conversation takes place:
Bo: I'm cutting the turkey.
Carl: No, I'm cutting the turkey. This requires a specialist and you look like Lord Voldemort.
Bo: Ok, you can cut the turkey, it'll give you a good moment to think about while you're in the unemployment line for mouthing off.
Carl: You're an asshole, where would you be without the revival of the blackshirts?
Bo: You mean without Ndamkoung Suh? What has your defense done since he left? Precisely dick. That's what. Whatever happened to that 4-1-6 you installed the year after Suh left? Oh it disappeared when you didn't have the best Defensive Tackle in 10 years to screw everything up for the other teams. Sit down you sad little man.
It happens at every single holiday gathering. I even heard that they played a 12 hour game of slapbelly fueled by egg nog, rum and sibling rivalry.
Nebraska Passing Attack vs MSU Pass Defense
Taylor Martinez can't throw a football. Like he may be physically capable, but his offense does not require or even really expect it. With a 55 percent completion percentage and 7 TD to 6 picks. He's a Nihilist dude, nothing to be afraid of.
Advantage: MSU
Nebraska Rushing Attack vs MSU Rush Defense
MSU has held it's big ten opponents an average of 126 yards under their average rushing totals for the season so far. If that holds true tomorrow it would still mean allowing 135 yards rushing to the Huskers. They're really good at running the football, as they should be for an option team. In short, I think we'll give up 200ish yards to them on the ground. Despite that being good considering the quality of their rushing attack, it'll definitely be a bit like making out with the wrong person for a while before you realize the mistake you almost made.
Advantage: Huskers
Nebraska Rushing Defense vs MSU Rushing Attack
Nebraska is 70th in rushing defense. Which like, what the hell? Where's your blackshirt death Bo Pelini? Part of being an option team means having a good rush defense. So, uh? If only we had a common yardstick... and we do! Against Wisconsin, they allowed Wisconsin 50 carries for 231 yards. So Nebraska rushing defense is like 1990 Soviet Union, scary in name only. That said, our ability to run the ball this year has been like 1990 Yugoslavia, not even scary in name only. At dead last in the Big Ten it's kind of sad, whenever you finish behind in Indiana football in anything it's sad.However, our rushing attack will do better than usual because we've played some teams with good run defense, but won't be dominant.
Advantage: Push
Nebraska Passing Defense vs MSU Passing Attack
Nebraska has the 27th ranked pass defense but has allowed a lot of passing TD's(11) and few picks(5). Cousins is coming off the game of his career, so unless Nebraska plans to abandon defending the run and let Cousins pass freely, a small let down seems inevitable. I kind of like this match-up, our running game is enough that the Nebraska can't give up on it.
Advantage: MSU(slight)
Coaching
I dare not pick
This like the last few games seems like a game that could go either way. Nebraska is a bit of a paper tiger to me and the chief characteristic of Mark Dantonio teams is exposing pretenders. Still, until we have a year that does not feature an amazingly shitty away loss, I won't believe we can do without it. That loss doesn't come this week though. MSU makes the series 5-1 with it's first win against the Cornhuskers.
MSU 31-21
Nicely done, with some humor.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I had a good time writing it. Need to drink more beforehand though.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about Nebraska's rushing attack. They were able to get 232 yards against OSU and they may be able to do close to the same against MSU. On the other hand, Nebraska only had 37 yards on 19 carries at halftime in that game. OSU really had them on the ropes until the fourth quarter. Maybe if MSU plays a complete game, they can shut down Nebraska and hold them to 2 touchdowns. Then again, as you pointed out, the Spartans haven't proven yet that they can get through a season without blowing one on on the road.
ReplyDeleteWas not Incognito, who yes is/was a total assclown
ReplyDeletehttp://noise.typepad.com/hey_joe/2006/11/an_indictment_o.html
St8,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the catch. Would like to avoid making mistakes even if Incognito is an assclown.
Leo,
I don't think this is the game where we choke it on the road. However, I refuse to write it off til we can do it. Still more worried about Iowa even though they're worse than the last two years.