Know Your Opponent: No. 25 Michigan State Spartans

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Image: USAToday

Image: USAToday

Written by Nathan Comp

Head Coach: Mark Dantonio

Overall: 13th Season, 110-52 (.679)

Bowl Appearances at Michigan State: 13

2018 Record: 7-6 (5-4, Big Ten East)

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 13 (6-7)

Mascot: Sparty

Colors: Green and White

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 6

Conference Titles: 11 (9 Big Ten, 2 MIAA)

Heisman Winners: 0

2019 Record: 3-1

Last Week: WIN 31-10 @ Northwestern

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing  Brian Lewerke (86-138, 62.32 Comp %, 1025 Passing Yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT)

Rushing Elijah Collins (61 attempts, 363 yards, 5.9 avg, 2 TDs)

Receiving Darrell Stewart Jr (30 receptions, 439 yards, 1 TD)

Tackles Joe Bachie (39 TKLs, 1.5 Sacks, 1 INT)

Michigan State’s Talking Points

1. Can Joe Bachie be stopped?

It feels like Joe Bachie has been leading the Michigan State defense for about seven years now, yet he is still here manning the linebacking core for the Spartans. And more impressively, he’s doing it better than he ever has. Bachie played what was likely the best game of his career this past Saturday against Northwestern, tacking onto an already impressive senior campaign. He finished with fourteen tackles, two passes defended, an interception, two tackles for loss, and a sack. If running backs are able to get past Michigan State’s impressive defensive line, the Spartans can rely on Bachie to finish the job.

2. Brian Lewerke is having a sneaky efficient season.

If you only caught the defensive shootout against Arizona State, you may not have noticed. But quietly, Brian Lewerke is putting the 2018 season behind him and having an efficiently impressive season. Completing over 60% of his passes, Lewerke has compiled 7 touchdowns to just 1 interception and is 2nd in the Big Ten in passing yards behind just Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez. He will likely have to get off to a better start this week than he did against Northwestern, but he quickly regained his confidence after a shaky start, which is more than can be said about any game in 2018.

3. Which team will show up?

Similar to the rest of the Big Ten outside of Ohio State and Wisconsin, I’m not sure anyone knows exactly which team will be taking the field just yet. For Michigan State, their inconsistency comes in their scoring ability. After a 51-point outburst week two against Western Michigan, the Spartans proceeded to lay a 7-point egg the following week at home against Arizona State. Then, their offense was revitalized by scoring 31 on the road against the defending Big Ten West champion Northwestern Wildcats. Similar to the rest of the middle-of-the-pack Big Ten teams, I think many are still figuring out exactly how good their team can be.