MSU / NW

This is a situation where normally I would be screaming NW + the points and moneyline. This is a bad spot with NW coming off a bye and MSU teams in the past have wilted.

My gut says MSU rolls here... why?

This isn't the same MSU teams of the past. The play calling is gutsier and there is a level of confidence I haven't seen in a long time.

This past weeks game was a good test. Illinois is a solid football team. MSU fumbles a punt right before the half deep in its own territory. The defense limits them to 3 and they goto halftime. Spartan teams in the past would have found a way to lose. But this team blew the doors off 2nd half.

I know the coaches will be preaching focus this week. Rucker should be back to bolster the pass defense which helps. I have seen NW play 3 times this year and have been unimpressed. There defense is awful and the run game is inconsistent. Things you need to create upsets.

MSU has balance on offense and the defense is improving. MSU has been solid versus the run and isn't allowing alot of points. Unless MSU makes alot of mistakes..penalties and turnovers... I think MSU will get the win and probably the cover. I think this game has covers bloodbath written all over it. I think MSU +7 is the bet and maybe the over when its released.

Like always things can change with injuries-suspensions and weather forecasts...

Bense... NW 1st half is the best option for NW backers. They should be pumped up and will hope to catch MSU sleep walking. Odds are if MSU covers the 1st half they cover the full game anyway  in my opinion.

Both the Illini and Wisco dont have great downfield attacks - so there running style kind of played right into MSU's tough run D...I think NW with that good QB and spread, with the extra week, could expose them...If MSU goes down this year it will be by a solid passing club

This is either a over play or maybe NW imo

As a fan, the only team that scares me now is Iows.  I hope the players and coaches don't feel that way.  MSU has a chance to be in a BCS bowl this year.  One game at a time...

Of course I meant to type IOWA.  That will be a real challenge for Sparty, and the toughest challege they will face this year short of their bowl game, maybe including the bowl game.

I have fully convinced myself that MSU can run the table and still have no chance to be in the title game.  Some guys I talk to at work (not MSU homers) are telling me no, many of the teams now ranked above MSU (TCU, Boise, etc) will fall in their ranking even if they win out due to strength of schedule.  I'm not so convinced.  Does anybody agree with that?

Thats bullshit OSU aint on the schedule

That would be a cheap way to advance not having to face them

Can only win the games that are on your schedule

I will be interested to see where the line goes from here. 95% of posters I have seen have NW as their pick...alot of them picks of the week-year-etc. Normally I would agree with this ... just don't think this is the same MSU team that normally loses in this spot.

Also NW is not good guys...Persa is a good player but look at the teams they have played thus far

I think the over will be the better option... you don't NW isn't going to allow points do you? If NW wins this game it would be a 44-41 style game...not 17-14

Highly unlikely MSU wins out...1 in a 100 stuff for them. I would love to see it happen...but lets not get crazy.

MSU is a good football team...but nothing great.

I think MSU will lose at least 2 games ...still would be a solid season though

Iowa & Penn State to me will be losses....gosh I hope i'm wrong.

When it comes to this week.... NW is a over-valued team...their record is misleading as they have played nobody. The times I have watched they have shown me very little when it comes to defense and running the ball... which is big ten football.

Persa is a solid QB but will be facing the best defensive unit he has faced this season. The NW defense will face the best offense its faced all season.

Kirk Cousins showed alot of guts versus Illinois... he was not good in the 1st half and came out and played great the 2nd half. He is maturing as a QB and gives MSU a balanced offense to hurt you with. If NW puts 8 in the box you will see a steady dose of Cousins to Gant or Dell. If they don't stack the box you will see running plays all day and NW will get worn out 2nd half.

NW will score in this game. Egbert is a solid player and if Persa gets hot they can move the ball through the air in a hurry.

Problem is they need alot of things to go right in order to win. If MSU wins the turnover battle they win easy. NW needs to force turnovers and will have to avoid turnovers themselves.

I still think MSU will win by 7+ and will set-up the showdown with Iowa next week.