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Boise State vs. Michigan State (-7)

Michigan State is returning 8 starters from one of the nation’s best defenses last year, however they do lose worthy whom was a stud both stuffing the run and creating pressure up the middle. This really helped stud hot head defensive lineman Gholston. Gholston played like his cousin was supposed to for the jets, and when he isn’t causing dumb penalty’s he is making big time plays. He will go up against Nate Potter’s (former all American) replacement Faraji Wright. After doing some research on right he is an undersized athletic tackle who struggles with his strength… Ghoslton won’t be able to run right around him, but should be able to run through him... Also Boise states two (of 3) returning starters were out this spring so this line will only have the fall to come together as a patch work unit. The line backing core for Michigan State is one of the best in the country, all three have a specialty including run stuffing pass rushing and coverage.  This will be important as DJ harper is an explosive 6^th year runner that is very excited for his shot to be the main ball carrier. The secondary is also outstanding with 3 returning starters with great corners who have the ability to shut down receivers which will be key against Boise state because the strength of this team is in the wide receiver position especially Matt Miller who set freshman records (how much of that was due to kellen Moore his brother though). On offense Michigan State has some questions to answer, but can lean on 4/5 returning offense lineman and power back bell to ease Jr. quarterback Andrew Maxwell into his role. Bell is a stud back who has the advantage of what is being called the best Michigan state returning o line in years. They also have baker who is a stud himself giving them one of the country’s best running back duos.  Maxwell is a kid who has watched cousins get the job done for two years, and understands what it takes to play quarterback. He has better physical tools then cousins did, but cousin’s leadership kept Michigan State together so that will be a big loss. The wide receivers are deep they have 5 players that can contribute. They have 5 players that have both size and speed, I like 3^rd wr soph Tony lipset a lot. The advantage that Maxwell will have is that he has thrown to a lot of these guys a lot as they went the starters, Cunningham and martin were. However the sprained knee in spring ball did cause him to lose half of his reps with the new wr this spring.  Boise Counters on defense with only 2 returning starter. They have virtually no experience at defensive end with only one player from the unit having ever played a collegiate down before. The best way to rattle a new qb is to get pressure on him, and Boise will struggle to do that without blitzing. However Boise state does have a promising JC transfer named Demarcus Lawrence who did have a big spring game. I’m not worried too much about him in his first game on a stage like this.  Michigan State should be able to run the ball right down Boise throat. The only real counter is JC Percy who is a tackling machine, but could get caught up in blocks. It’s a lot harder to roam when you three stud dlinemen have gone onto the NFL. Jamar Taylor is a stud corner, and there other corner Jarrell Gavin’s is a playmaker coming off a knee injury.  Boise safeties have potential to end up as a dynamic duo. In close games such as this could be it becomes important to look at special teams. While Boise has been bad in the past at field goals this year is likely to just get worse they have 4 kickers trying out for the job and according to reports they will all struggling during spring practice. Spartans have a proven two year kicker who is 32/39 in the last two years. I love D’Anotoni as a coach, he always gets his teams ready to play (doesn’t keep them the most discipline) however I think you can make a very strong case that Peterson is the best coach in the country, and giving him a whole offseason to prepare makes me nervous, but this is a major rebuilding job and will take some time for him to get Boise back to the powerhouse they have come to be known by. The crowd should be insane, as it is the only game that matters on Friday night in prime time. It’s not every day that East Lansing gets a night game that means this much! The line makers are giving Boise respect, but I think too much.

Michigan State by 13 (-7) 

nickydyme - MSU has zero chance of playing in the NC game. I agree that Dantonio is a good coach, but he's been having success lately when other teams are down. Ohio St and Michigan have been down. Let's see if he can win 11 games again when his 2 biggest rivals have their best football in front of them. The QB Cousins made this offense click the last 2 years. No easy task replacing him. I could see them losing 5 games.

BOISE ST. - TOSS UP

CENT. MICH - WIN

NOTRE DAME - LOSS

EAST MICH - WIN

OHIO STATE - LOSS

INDIANA - WIN

IOWA - WIN

MICHIGAN - LOSS

WISCONSIN - LOSS

NEBRASKA - TOSS UP

NORTHWESTERN - WIN

MINNESOTA - WIN

@nickey-Chizik is a better than Kelly in my opinion.When u have a National Title u are just on a different Level-thats just a fact of life.He has one of the best pedigrees.Spurrier will tell Chizik is one of the finest coaches in the country.Dantonio is a good coach,but he lost to a BAD Notre Dame team Ly.This is a big yr for Chizik with losing his best player to Mary Janee and having 2 new coordinators.People are forgetting Auburn redshirted a half dozen players that probably would ve started.The off line is suspect,loaded at Rb,te,wr,dl,lb.Auburn wont lose to Dabo ( Alabama's next coach in 10+yrs }2yrs in a row especially when they beat em 11 straight I believe.Sammy being gone is MONSTRONEOS to Auburn..World get ready for the starting debut of Tre Mason who will rush for 180+sept.1..Boom is in fantasy land on this game.WVa could ve scored a 100pts in Gator.