What a win will take

Football is a relatively simple ground acquisition game - move the football and prevent your opponent from doing so.   Obviously coaches schemes, coordinator stunts, and even player injuries lead to twists and turns that can very quickly make the game much more complex week to week.  There is an awful lot that can be dissected in this match-up but the key to victory remains simple.

Whichever team has a better game from their offensive line will win the game.  Drawing from that, the team that wins the rushing game will win on Saturday.  Although the Michigan State defense may have only one sack in their first two games, they have also surrendered zero offensive touchdowns.   For the Irish, they must do better than giving up five sacks as they did last week against a good (not as good as Michigan State) Purdue defense.  If you thought Short was good, wait until you get a load (and at 6’7” 280 lbs. he is a good sized load) of defensive end William Gholston.  They must ensure the running game gets back on track with Wood coming back in the fold, and Atkinson needs more touches than he got against Purdue.

As for the Spartans, they have a Heisman candidate caliber running back in Le’Veon Bell who will need to be contained, as their quarterback has potential and is as talented as he is inexperienced (sound familiar?).  If the Irish can push around the Michigan State offensive line enough to pressure Spartan quarterback Andrew Maxwell, they can rattle him into mistakes.  However, if Michigan State’s O-line can give Bell room to work and protect Maxwell, it could be a long day for the Irish.

As for predictions, the winner will not need to score a ton of points (21 could easily win the game), it will be very physical, and the team that has a better game from their offensive line will win the game.