Nebraska Tailgate Talk: Is this Sparta? No it's East Lansing and Michigan State

The Nebraska Cornhuskers open Big Ten play on Saturday at 4:00 against the Michigan State Spartans. The B1G Network will televise the game. Last week, the Spartans fell to Notre Dame but were battled harder than the score reflected. But for some dropped TD passes, a fumble, and a blocked punt, it would have been a different game. Hopefully Sparty is still recovering from the battle. 5.5 points currently favor Nebraska. It’s a big first test (as every game will be now).

The Cornhuskers are 3-0. Last week, Nebraska ran 40 running plays and used tempo well to beat their last non-conference foe. Yes, a little cupcake because it wasn’t a Power 4 conference, but I was impressed with the defense as they handed experienced QB Jerry Kaminski his second-worst performance—the Blackshirt linebackers combined for 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. On the day, North Dakota's QB threw 5 interceptions. Plus, a lot of younger players got valuable game-time experience. There were also fewer penalties, but still too many.

What we learned in 3 games: The Husker screen game can be a good weapon. We also learned that the trio of running backs can break tackles and hold onto the ball. Still no true #1 on the depth chart, per se, but I see Jamal Rule with the lead (he’s the first freshman RB to have multiple 100-yard games since 2002), but Isaiah Mozee is very gritty and has a knack for grinding stuff out. RB Mekhi Nelson is still a coach favorite and has some speed. We also learned that QB Anthony Colandrea is not afraid to inflict a hit or take a hit but prefers to throw it. I’m not upset about the latter because he’s a really good thing to have behind Center. So far, I’m impressed with his decisions and ability to stretch a play (all things we heard about during camp). The D-line still needs improvement, and this week is the next B1G test. It’s another trench game.

Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald is a very good coach. He always did well with less at Northwestern. I’m curious whether that was because of the academic level of the guys on the team, or because of his motivation and good coaching. I’m also glad we are getting his team early rather than in November. Don’t forget that 7 games against  Northwestern were decided by 3 points or less and not always in our favor.

Nebraska football faces critical run-defense test against Michigan State in Big Ten opener

What to know about the enemy: The Spartans are led by 6- year QB Cam Fancher, although redshirt sophomore Alessio Miliovojevic had a better week against Notre Dame. He was 9/17 last week with 123 yards and 2 interceptions. They have a very solid run game behind a stout O-line, which leads to their play action. No. 0 Cam Edwards is their redshirt senior running back transfer from UConn. He’s “a slasher, jump cut running back” according to Husker DC Rob Aurich. He can be explosive in the field and make you miss. Edwards averaged 3.2 yards against Notre Dame. Nebraska will need to do what they couldn’t at the end of last year, STOP THE RUN, to have success Saturday. Good gang tackling will be needed at all levels.

On defense, the enemy has No. 5 Captain and senior Linebacker Jordan Hall. He will come with a thump this week as he is on the Butkus Watch list and will be a top NFL draft prospect. I wouldn’t be upset if Hall is still recovering from his 13 tackles last week, but that’s unlikely. Even if he’s not 100%, senior LB Dion Crawford can pick up the slack. The defense held Notre Dame to a season-low 27 points, well below their usually high-scoring average.

Other Spartans also likely to have their names called on Saturday are Wide Receiver Rodney Bullard, Jr. and big (6’ 5”) Tight End freshman Jayden Savory. (Lanky and rangy are an understatement.) Bullard was 2 catches for 66 yards against the Irish. He had a 53-yard reception to set up MSU's score last week. Savory had 3 catches for 30 yards last week—definitely a chain mover.

Since this is the first time in 3 weeks I’m not in the kitchen getting things made for a tailgate, I’m going easy on the tailgate recipe. I’m ordering pizza for the midafternoon kickoff and enjoying some green Jell-O shots—Apple Pucker: ¾ c mixed into 1 cup hot water and a package of green apple gelatin. I’d love for Big Red to leave the sour taste of loss in the Spartan camp.

Questions going forward: Will Quinn Clark get the nod over Nyziah Hunter? I feel like Hunter is in the doghouse, but time will tell. Will Jacory Barney stop doing stupid things like getting score-negating penalties or running himself into a circle instead of straight ahead on a kickoff return? (I could go on about those things for days). Will one RB emerge as the go-to guy like Emmett Johnson did last year? I know one RB will get very beat up in the B1G. But last year proved that theory isn’t perfect. There is something helpful about seeing the field over and over.

Will a third receiver emerge, or is the “go-to guy” TE Luke Lindenmeyer for the year? As long as they catch and keep it, I’m good with whomever. Will the Huskers be able to continue good productivity in the Red Zone? …..And will Nebraska be able to stop the run? This is the most critical piece in my view. Not going to lie, I’m going to enjoy watching the game from my big comfy chair this week, as 3 tailgates in a row is a lot. However, I’ll be ready for next week’s matchup against Maryland. Enjoy the break for now, and as always, GO BIG RED!

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow