Northwestern : Wildcats or Just Puss' in Boots?

SpartyOn.com Week 7 Pregame Checkdown : Don't Believe the Hype : MSU vs Northwestern

When it comes to the Northwestern Wildcats versus Michigan State Spartans this weekend, don't believe the hype. If you read the blogs, sports websites and papers, the game is supposed to be a shootout between two leaders in the Big Ten. One will be proven unworthy of their lofty perch, and I'm thinking a lot of purple-wearing people are going to be Green with envy when the clock hits zero.

We all know about NCAA rushing leader Javon Ringer and last year's offensive explosion by C.J. Bacher, but let's look at the lesser known facts that will make the true difference...


Northwestern :

- Opponents have 10 combined wins in 26 games including Syracuse 1-4, Ohio 1-5
- Beat Duke, that perennial powerhouse by a walloping four points
- Northwestern's D-line has 17 sacks already this season, that's great, but MSU's offensive line has only given up only two sacks in six games, that's right, two
- Shonn Greene had 159 yards rushing against NW and averaged 7.6 yards per carry which bodes well for Ringer
- Running back Tyrell Sutton did not practice Wednesday


Michigan State :

- Chicago is full of Spartan graduates and the Northwestern stadium is definitely not an imposing place to play
- Hoyer, Dell and B.J. Cunningham are on track to make defenses think twice about keying on Javon every play. Confusion in a defense kills.
- MSU's defensive backs will get multiple interceptions in the game not only because of their tenacity and intelligence, but because of the new-found strength of their brothers up front like Trevor Anderson on the Spartan D-line putting pressure on QBs and forcing errors
- When it comes to close games, a great kicker is solid gold. Enter Brett Swenson, 12 for 13 on the year.
- Don't get too excited about the Spartans being banged up, according to the official depth chart for Saturday, MSU is at full strength at every position, including Otis Wiley.

It has been two weeks since Northwestern have given or taken a real hit. Last Saturday, the 'Wild' cats (on their bye weekend) sat around their dorm rooms watching MSU gel even tighter as a solid team and emerge from a knock-down street fight with a very respectable Iowa team stronger, more confident, and ready to take on all comers. The bumps and bruises sustained in that game will only fuel Michigan State's desire to dominate in Evanston on Saturday.


Predictions :

Javon goes for 200+, Bacher gets sacked at least three times and is picked off twice

MSU 37 - Northwestern 21


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