Michigan State loses two key players ahead of Nebraska clash

Nebraska may have edge vs Michigan State with two key players sidelined
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When Michigan State heads to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska football team, the Spartans will be without two key players in Brady Pretzlaff and Stanton Ramil.

The two players have been contributors on either side of the ball for head coach Jonathan Smith's upstart team. Pretzlaff's loss could especially be one that hampers Sparty, considering their defense already had its work cut out for it against Dylan Raiola. The young MIKE linebacker is one of the better players on a unit that's struggled to get many stops.

Nebraska football could capitalize on Michigan State injuries in Week 6

Ramil is one of the Spartans' best offensive linemen on a group that has been counted on to give quarterback Aidan Chiles time in the pocket to drive an offense that's been quite good so far this season. The announcement that he'll be out "for about a month" with an undisclosed injury should have Nebraska defenders licking their chops in anticipation.

It's also good news for the Huskers' front that struggled at times to contain the run game in the first four weeks of the season. While no one should be happy about a player getting injured, it comes at the right time for NU as it looks for answers.

As far as run blocking, Ramil is second on the team with an 82.0 grade according to Pro Football Focus. Considering the Cornhuskers have had some real problems getting push against the run, that's a point of emphasis heading into the Week 6 contest.

Nebraska football has its own injuries to worry about, including defensive back Malcolm Hartzog, who is questionable. However, Michigan State's injuries could offer a place to attack on Saturday.

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