Minnesota and Michigan State Previews

It’s a two-a-day today for EVR.  Here are the previews for the final two games of the season.

Minnesota – November 19, 2011 – Ryan Field.  While Northwestern and Minnesota have had fairly divergent records over the last four years, the game has always been a hard fought battle.  From the double-overtime thriller in 2007 – to the pick-six to end the game in 2008 – to Demos winning the game in 2010.  In 2011, the cold of November will likely have set in on one of these teams, and the other will be trying to play someplace warm in the post-season.  Minnesota brings new coach Jerry Kill, who is coming off a series of successful seasons at Northern Illinois. But will he be able to make a first-year impact in a very strong Legends Division?

ESPN.com

At quarterback, MarQueis Gray finally gets the opportunity to be the starter after years of patiently waiting behind Adam Weber.  Gray is a multi-talented QB, who will be lost in the conversation behind Persa, Robinson, and Martinez – but is no less talented.  Gray’s problem will be a young offensive line that returns only two starters.  He may be called upon to use his mobility too much – thus risking injury and hampering the opportunity to get the ball to his number one guy, Da’Jon McKnight. 

The Gophers running game is led by one of the most experienced backs in the conference – Duane Bennett.  Bennett has 24 starts under his belt and almost 2,300 yards of total offense and 19 touchdowns under his belt.  Duane is a speedy back who can also pound for yards.  If the offensive line has come together by the NU game, he will be a force for NU’s defense to deal with, especially if the November weather is bad.

Defensively, the Gophers return eight starters including all three linebackers.  But this is a unit that will have to demonstrate great improvement from last year.  Every Minnesota opponent except for two scored more than 28 points and while the Gophers should have a fairly dynamic offense, it cannot be counted on to score four touchdowns every game.  Corners Michael Carter and Troy Stoudermire fought their way into the starting lineup last season and have earned their positions.

Michigan State – November 26, 2011 – Ryan Field.  Based on some rough research, NU has not hosted on on-campus game after Thanksgiving since a 1989.  Illinois thrashed the Wildcats that day 63-14.  In fact, NU has not won a game played on Thanksgiving or later, including Bowl games, since 1973.  Hopefully the visit by the Spartans will end this drought. Thanks to a scheduling quirk, the Cats will host Sparty for the second year in a row – after the heartbreaking loss to then-undefeated MSU in 2010.

spartan-football.com

Michigan State brings to the table the most solid unit of offensive playmakers in the Big Ten.  Kirk Cousins is an All-Big Ten candidate and a natural leader.  Edwin Baker is a speedy back that can do it all.  Keshawn Martin and B.J. Cunningham are both seniors who have 19 career touchdowns between them.  Dion Sims is the latest in a line of solid tight ends to play for the green and white. 

If there is a weakness on the offense it is on the line, and there is cause for concern there.  Their current two deep starts two freshmen including an undersized center Travis Jackson (6’3” / 265).  Skyler Burkland, the other frosh, and sophomore Dan France will bookend the line at tackle and will be in charge of protecting Cousins in the passing game.  The only senior in the group is guard Joel Foreman.  If MSU is going to go to the heights that their fan base expects in 2010, this group will need to grow up fast.

Similarly, the defense has youth and holes to fill.  They only plan to start one senior on a defense that was dominant at times – including holding Michigan to 17 points and Illinois to 6.  Sophomore Denicos Allen steps in at middle linebacker, not completely green, as he recorded 18 tackles last season.  Fellow sophomores William Gholston (DL), Max Bullough (OLB) and Darqueze Dennard (CB) lead the youth movement on this squad.  The youth may cause some problems for the Spartans, but the dynamic offense should be able to keep games close.  And these young guys may not be experienced, but they will be aggressive playmakers who are looking to not let down their senior-laden offense.

Keep in mind that if Nebraska struggles in its new place in the Big Ten, this could be a play-in game for the Big Ten Championship game.

Go Cats!