I posted on tRCMB (Biggest MSU message board) that OSU wins this game like 35-24 or something like that. Our secondary has given up the most 20+ yards pass plays in the B1G, running game has been stagnant since mid-October (Michigan absolutely stopped our backs all game) and we've had horrible special teams all year + injuries.
Last week LJ Scott had 2 carries, with 2 fumbles. I would love to see him get 12-15 carries against OSU bc he's played well in big games and he's from Ohio. I'm not a big fan of how we've rotated RBs as of late not allowing one single back to get into the flow.
Now, Cook is gonna Cook....one of the best pocket passers in the country and the kid is a gamer. If he can avoid throwing a pick we will have a good chance to stay in the game. He's thrown for over 300 yards against OSU in the past. D-Line has been great and if we can get pressure with less blitzing we can allow the secondary a little breathing room bc they're young and giving up huge plays downfield.
Also, I was reading OSU has been called for only TWO offensive holding calls since 2013. If we have to play against the zebras and a top 3 team it's going to be rough.
The # 1 reason I'm not confident is because OSU beat a better MSU team last year IN East Lansing last year so I just don't see how we go on the road and take care of essentially the same OSU team with less talent in the secondary than last year.
To win this game, MSU needs to force an early TO to rattle the QB and NOT give up the home run plays that plagued us last year. Big plays will happen but allowing a 35 yard play and living to fight another down is better than just allowing that 35 yard pass to turn into a 65 Yard TD. MSU defense needs to force some 3 and outs and we cannot allow OSU to return punts for 15-20 yards and start on their own 45.
With all of this said I hope I'm wrong but I hold myself as a pretty objective Michigan State fan...I had a good feeling about beating OSU in 2013 but I knew we'd lose last year. I knew we'd beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl and Baylor in the cotton bowl but I knew we'd lose to Duke in the FF.