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Nebraska Football: Huskers vs Spartans, An Early Look at Michigan State

By Brent Craig

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The Nebraska football team steps out of the Big Ten West division to take on a cross divisional opponent, in the Michigan State Spartans on November 7th.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Mid-Year Recruiting Review

November 7th will mark the 10th meeting between the Nebraska football team and the Michigan State Spartans. The Huskers lead the series 7-2, but Sparty can claim the last two victories over the Huskers.

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I am not taking anything away from Michigan State or their victories over the Huskers, but in both Spartan victories, the Huskers were their worst enemies with 7 combined turnovers in both losses.  If you want to beat a good team like Michigan State, you cannot turn the ball over that many times.

In 2014, Nebraska almost had one of their best comebacks in Nebraska history. The Huskers went into the 4th quarter trailing Michigan State 27-3, but the Huskers scored three touchdowns in the quarter, the most exciting was the 62 yard punt return by Pierson-El. Unfortunately for the Huskers, there were also two failed two-point conversions and a Tommy Armstrong interception that kept the Huskers from coming home with a victory.

The 2013 game was a little different. Michigan State took command from the beginning and the Huskers never had the lead. The Huskers fumbled six times losing four. Going into the game the Michigan State led the nation in run defense not allowing any running back, or team for that matter, to rush over 100 yards. But the Huskers had Ameer Abdullah and Michigan state found they could not stop him like they had stopped all the others. Abdullah rushed for 123 yards, but in the end it wasn’t enough to defeat Sparty and the Huskers lost 41-28.

As long as we are talking about past games, I feel I need to throw in the most exciting one. With 11 seconds left in the game the Huskers were down 24-21 and found themselves facing second and goal. Taylor Martinez found Jamal Turner in the endzone giving the Huskers the victory in that memorable 2012 game.

Since Nebraska has joined the Big Ten, both teams have 2 victories over one another which leads me to this season’s match-up in Lincoln. The Spartans return a top rated team and they are led by head coach Mark Dantonio. Dantonio has been the Michigan State head coach since 2007.  He has compiled a record of 75-31 at Michigan State and of his eight seasons, he has 11 or more wins in four of those seasons and two Big Ten titles.

Dantonio was also the head coach at Cincinnati from 2004-2006 and had Dantonio been in Cincinnati for the 2007 season he and Mike Riley would have coached against one another, but they will finally get their chance this season when the two meet for the first time.

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio during warmups before the game against the Baylor Bears in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsWhich leads us to this seasons game in Lincoln. If Nebraska has the first part of the season that I hope they do, this game should be a good one! Michigan State is led by Head Coach Mark Dantonio.Dantonio has been the Michigan State head coach since 2007.  He has compiled a record of 75-31 at Michigan State and of his eight seasons, he has 11 or more wins in four of those seasons and two Big Ten titles.  He was also the head coach at Cincinnati from 2004-2006 and had Dantonio been in Cincinnati for the 2007 season he and Mike Riley would have coached against one another, but they will finally get their chance this season when the two meet for the first time.

Dantonio is a defensive minded coach and his resume reflects this.  In 2013 the Spartans finished ranked number two in the nation in total defense and in 2014 they were ranked 7th. In fact the last four seasons the Spartans have been ranked in the top ten defensively.

Defensively the line is led by Defensive Lineman of the year, Shilique Calhoun.  Also on the defensive line is last years Freshman All American Malik McDowell.

There is no reason to think the defensive line shouldn’t be as good as it has been the last 4 years.  The linebacker position should be capable but the secondary could be a little shaky.  By the time they play Nebraska though they should have more experience.

Offensively, the Spartans return Conner Cook at the quarterback position.  Cook led the Big Ten in passing yards last season.  Gone though is Cooks number one receiver Tony Lippett and leading rusher Jeremy Langford. Big shoes will need to be filled and if the Husker Defense can put pressure on Cook, this could be key to a Big Red victory.

It will be a tall order to defeat Sparty but the Huskers will have home field advantage. I am not ready to claim victory just yet though, as Michigan State will be tough to defeat.

Athlon predicts the Spartans to finish 7th in the nation and 2nd in the Big Ten this upcoming season. This certainly could be billed as a top prime time game and it will be very exciting to watch. Here’s to  hoping the Huskers can do it! Go Big Red!

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